What’s eligible: Any model-year 2022 battery-electric vehicle regardless of when it was introduced or last updated.
Criteria: In addition to overall excellence, we pay extra attention to the aspects with which many EVs stumble, such as ride quality and charging speed.
Winner: 2022 Tesla Model Y
As the new year begins, it's time to look back at the best electric cars of 2022. The availability of mass-market electric vehicles is closer than ever to a tipping point. We're still far from universal adoption, as challenges that limit access -- such as affordability, really fast public charging, and range -- haven't been resolved, but there are still plenty of new EVs popping up in 2022. Here are our top picks and why.
Of the available models, we chose the Tesla Model Y as the best electric car for 2022. The Model Y is a consumer-friendly electric car, and it's a roomy SUV that can tow up to 3,500 pounds. It's one of the most effective ways to ease the anxiety of ultra-long range - the Long Range AWD version has an EPA-rated range of 326 miles - plus actionable information about efficiency to inform drivers how to maximize remaining range mileage. In our experience, Tesla's network of Supercharger DC fast chargers is also larger and more reliable than other networks -- and at more reliable speeds.
Charging experience
When charging, the efficiency of the Model Y translates to more miles per hour for a given amount of power than many EVs, and the Model Y can finely throttle charging to work with various household circuits. It comes standard with 120-volt and 240-volt mobile chargers that charge at respectable speeds, and Tesla also offers a J1772 adapter to pair its proprietary connector with non-Tesla chargers.
Driving experience
Driving the Model Y can be even more polarizing: It lacks a traditional instrument panel, instead relying on a 15-inch touchscreen center panel to display everything, including the speedometer. Its ride firmness is more akin to a sports car, but so is its power – it's fun to drive and at least makes the firm ride worth it. Faster acceleration is unlocked with the push of a button (and a $2,000 fee), as significant changes can be made to the Model Y via an over-the-air update.
Purchase experience
We praise some newer electric vehicles for improving the user experience, but this matches what Tesla has been doing for years. Tesla not only brings consumers a good driving experience but also gives consumers a better driving experience. provides a satisfying shopping experience for buyers and is available in all 50 states. Tesla sold as many Model Ys as Subaru Foresters in the first nine months of 2021 -- 130,000 -- ushering in EV adoption faster than any other model. Most newly launched EVs can over-the-air update technology and make massive on-the-fly modifications, but we haven't seen anything close to Tesla's use of this ability to improve and evolve products. They're all just playing catch-up to Tesla. That's just one more reason why the Model Y is the best electric car of 2022.
