If you're like any automotive enthusiast, you have most likely taken an interest in some fast cars. Car brands know the desire for added performance on a car won't go out of fashion anytime soon. This marks countless vehicles coming out year after year with some characteristics surrounded by performance. If you look at the top car platforms: non-electric gasoline-powered (ICE), hybrids (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and electric cars (EVs), there is only one of these platforms where the majority of the field offers some hefty performance.
Electric vehicles tend to get a bad rep in some areas, whether it's over reliability, expensive price tags, or all the other stereotypes surrounding EVs. Some of these are true, but like most stereotypes, many were turned into myths and debunked. Regarding the "EVs are too expensive", this is true at times, but there are various models out there that aren't going to cost a premium. On top of this, electric vehicles are known for going fast because their electric motors deliver torque better than most ICE powertrains. When you put the two together, you'll see that there are several EVs out on the market that outperform their price tags. Here are ten electric cars offering quick 0-60 mile-per-hour sprints without blowing up your budget.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including CarandDriver for various estimated 0-60 MPH times and FuelEconomy.gov for MPGe, range, and kWh/100 miles.
With all the instantaneous torque on offer, EVs pick speeds like it's no one's business, and here are 10 mainstream models that do it effortlessly.
The 2024 Nissan Ariya is the electric car to start the list off, and it may come as a surprise. When you think of Nissan in today's automotive world, you don't think of performance-focused electric cars. With Nissan discontinuing the GT-R and having some internal conflicts, it seems performance isn't a wide concern for the Japanese car brand.
Motor Setup | Dual AC Synchronous Motors |
Transmission | Direct Drive |
Horsepower | 389 HP |
Torque | 442 LB-FT |
Driveline | E-4ORCE |
0-60 MPH | 5.0 Seconds |
MPGe (Combined) | 87-90 MPGe |
Range | N/A |
kWh/100 Miles | N/A |
Price | $54,190 |
While Nissan is focused on more practical cars, the Nissan Ariya does offer one trim that surprisingly packs some heat. The 2024 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ AWD comes with an MSRP of $54,190. With this, you'll receive an EV that houses two electric motors producing 389 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. The Ariya kicks things off with a 0-60 mile-per-hour sprint in five seconds flat.
The Volkswagen ID.4 is another model to stir the pot with it not necessarily being one that would instantly come to mind regarding performance. Of course, it offers that iconic German automotive lineage, so it shouldn't be a massive surprise that it provides some sporty performance. Volkswagen isn't one of the "big three" German car brands (BMW, Mercedes, Audi), but over the years, it has lingered in the shadows, offering some reliable cars without causing too much drama.
Motor Setup | Dual Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motors |
Transmission | Direct Drive |
Horsepower | 335 HP |
Torque | 402 LB-FT |
Driveline | All-Wheel Drive |
0-60 MPH | 4.8 Seconds |
MPGe (Combined) | 102 MPGe |
Range | 263 Miles |
kWh/100 Miles | 33 kWh/100 Mi |
Price | $53,875 |
Similar to the Ariya, the 2024 ID.4's quickest trim is the most expensive trim on the model. With a price tag starting at around $53,875, the ID.4 AWD Pro S also houses two electric motors producing 335 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque. You probably already guessed by the name, but the ID.4 AWD Pro S utilizes all-wheel drive, allowing it to complete a 0-60 mile-per-hour stint in just 4.8 seconds.
Volvo has always been known for offering sleek models, but in recent times, their portfolio has raised the bar even further. The 2025 Volvo XC40 Recharge is a simpler build compared to some of the others, but sometimes, it's better to offer something more practical than something that might cause a headache. Volvo's electric car portfolio is one that you should check out if you're in the market for a classy EV.
Motor Setup | Twin Electric Motor |
Transmission | Automatic |
Horsepower | 402 HP |
Torque | 494 LB-FT |
Driveline | All-Wheel Drive |
0-60 MPH | 4.6 Seconds |
MPGe (Combined) | 98 MPGe |
Range | 254 Miles |
kWh/100 Miles | 34 kWh/100 Mi |
Price | $58,445 |
The 2025 Volvo XC40 Recharge raises the price tag a bit higher with its $58,445 MSRP. It's worth noting that Volvo is a luxury car brand, so a price tag below $60,000 should seem like a steal. You can upgrade the XC40 Recharge with the $1,750 twin electric motor, which produces 402 horsepower and 494 pound-feet of torque. The XC40 recharge ties with the Model 3 with its 4.6-second 0-60 mile-per-hour sprint.
The Tesla Model 3 is popular offering an enticing combination of performance, comfort, and range but it does face some stiff competition.
Genesis is the second luxury car brand to appear, which really shows that even the more elevated EVs on the market aren't that out of reach. The GV60 is Genesis's entryway EV, offering a more affordable price tag over the GV70 and GV80. If you're in the market for an EV that offers a luxurious interior and sleek features, then the GV60 is worth considering.
Motor Setup | Dual Electric Motors |
Transmission | Automatic |
Horsepower | 314 HP |
Torque | N/A |
Driveline | All-Wheel Drive |
0-60 MPH | 4.0 Seconds |
MPGe (Combined) | 100 MPGe |
Range | 264 Miles |
kWh/100 Miles | 34 kWh/100 Mi |
Price | $55,850 |
The 2025 Genesis GV60 AWD starts at $55,850. Its electric motors are powered by an all-wheel drive system that produces 314 horsepower. It isn't the most affordable trim on the GV60, with the base offering less horsepower and a rear-wheel drive system, but the AWD trim completes its 0-60 mile-per-hour stint in just four seconds flat.
The 2024 Tesla Model Y is another model that many enthusiasts could've guessed. Tesla offers quick 0-60 launches on all of its models, making it a norm within the electric automotive industry. The Model Y is the bigger sibling to the Model 3, with it being an SUV but sharing similar characteristics.
Motor Setup | Single Permanent-Magnet Synchronous AC Motor |
Transmission | Direct Drive |
Horsepower | 384 HP |
Torque | 376 LB-FT |
Driveline | All-Wheel Drive |
0-60 MPH | 4.4 Seconds |
MPGe (Combined) | 130 MPGe |
Range | 342 Miles |
kWh/100 Miles | 26 kWh/100 Mi |
Price | $44,490 |
The 2024 Tesla Model Y Long Range houses a single permanent-magnet motor with an all-wheel drive system. For its power, the Model Y produces 384 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. The performance trim comes with 456 horsepower, but that'll cost you some extra money. The Model Y Long Range can be picked up today for $44,490, lowering the bar to 4.4 seconds for its 0-60 mph time.
There are a handful of fully performance-focused EVs, and the Kia EV6 GT is one of those models. Just by the contours and lines, a non-car enthusiast could determine that this car was built to go fast. If you're in the market for an EV with some gasoline-powered sports car characteristics, then you should check out the EV6 GT.
Motor Setup | Dual Electric Motors |
Transmission | Direct Drive |
Horsepower | 576 HP |
Torque | 545 LB-FT |
Driveline | All-Wheel Drive |
0-60 MPH | 3.4 Seconds |
MPGe (Combined) | 83 MPGe |
Range | 218 Miles |
kWh/100 Miles | 41 kWh/100 Mi |
Price | $61,600 |
The 2024 Kia EV6 GT carries a heftier price tag than some of the others, with a $61,600 MSRP. Although it fetches a larger MSRP, it still seems like a steal with all the added performance you're getting. It houses two electric motors that produce 576 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque. With the all-wheel drive system and dual electric motors, the Kia EV6 GT lowered the 0-60 mile-per-hour sprints to 3.4 seconds.
If you're looking for a balanced and well-rounded EV SUV, this is the only option you should be considering.
The Volvo EX30 is one of the newest additions to the Swedish car brand, and it just recently entered the dealerships for the first time. The EX30 is their most affordable EV, which is kind of surprising, as it landed itself in third place. If you're trying to get your foot into the door of owning an EV and want a more elevated model, then the EX30 is one of those cars.
Motor Setup | Twin Electric Motors |
Transmission | Direct Drive |
Horsepower | 422 HP |
Torque | 400 LB-FT |
Driveline | All-Wheel Drive |
0-60 MPH | 3.4 Seconds |
MPGe (Combined) | 109 MPGe |
Range | 250-253 Miles |
kWh/100 Miles | 31 kWh/100 Mi |
Price | $44,900 |
The 2025 Volvo EX30 has an MSRP of $44,900, making it one of the more affordable vehicles on the list. Within the list, the quicker the vehicles, the more the price goes up. The EX30 is unique in that it offers 422 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque with its dual electric motors while still being affordable. The Volvo EX30 came in with an exceptionally impressive 0-60 time, tying the EV6 GT with a 3.4-second time.
Ford is known for its American muscle and gritty performance. It only seems logical for American car brands to try to incorporate some of that performance into one of their electric cars, especially when it is called a "Mustang." The Mustang Mach-E stirred up some controversy with its branding, but the electric SUV looks like it's sticking around.
Motor Setup | Dual eMotor |
Transmission | Direct Drive |
Horsepower | 480 HP |
Torque | 600 LB-FT (700 w/ Performance Upgrade) |
Driveline | All-Wheel Drive |
0-60 MPH | 3.3 Seconds |
MPGe (Combined) | 90 MPGe |
Range | 280 Miles |
kWh/100 Miles | 37 kWh/100 Mi |
Price | $54,995 |
The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT is one of the highest trims on this EV and comes with a starting price of $54,995. It houses dual electric motors that produce 480 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. For $995, you can buy the Performance Upgrade, which raises the toque to 700 pound-feet. The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT came close to stealing first place, but its 0-60 mile-per-hour sprint, which was done in 3.3 seconds, is nothing to scoff at.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the EV that lands itself in the first place. Of course, there are faster electric cars on the market, but its price tag and performance just seem like the best bang for your buck. Upon its release earlier this year, the Ioniq 5 N made headlines, showcasing some record-breaking times on various tracks and successful benchmarks.
Motor Setup | Dual Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motors |
Transmission | Direct Drive |
Horsepower | 601 HP (641 w/ Grin Boost) |
Torque | 545 LB-FT (568 w/ Grin Boost) |
Driveline | All-Wheel Drive |
0-60 MPH | 3.25 Seconds |
MPGe (Combined) | 78 MPGe |
Range | 221 Miles |
kWh/100 Miles | 43 kWh/100 Mi |
Price | $66,100 |
The 2025 Ioniq 5 N is on the more expensive side, with an MSRP of $66,100. While it's almost hitting the $70,000 region, it's worth noting that the dual electric motors produce 601 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque. If you engage Grin Boost, these figures get even better with 641 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. The Ioniq 5 N ends the list with the fastest 0-60 mile-per-hour sprint over the rest with a 3.25-second sprint time.
The Mustang Mach-E is offered in an array of trims, but Ford has made sure the flagship GT trim has some exclusive things that others don't.
If you had to bet on one car that would land on the list, you probably would've gone with a Tesla. Tesla stands at the forefront of the electric automotive industry, producing models that offer performance, affordable price tags, and innovative technology. Unlike some of the above, the Tesla Model 3 shouldn't surprise anyone that it made the list (or even topped it!).In fact, it's the only sedan here.
Motor Setup | Dual Permanent-Magnet Synchronous AC Motor |
Transmission | Direct Drive |
Horsepower | 510 HP |
Torque | N/A |
Driveline | Rear-Wheel Drive |
0-60 MPH | 2.9 Seconds |
Range | 303 Miles |
Price | $54,990 |
The Tesla Model 3 range starts at $42,490, but the Performance trim listed here starts at $54,990. In fact, even the base trim would've made the cut here with a Tesla-claimed 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds. The Performance trim fetches a higher price tag and more get-up, going to 60 mph from a standstill in under three seconds. The Model 3 Performance comes with a dual permanent-magnet motor producing 510 horsepower combined.
2024-12-24T10:08:10Z