Automakers add more electric vehicles to their showrooms with each new model year, from upstart companies like Lucid and Rivian to traditional internal combustion engine brands from all over the world.
If you’re in the market for a new battery-electric car or SUV, here are five forthcoming EVs worth waiting for.
2024 Acura ZDX
As one of the first "coupe-SUVs," the original 2010 to 2013 Acura ZDX was ahead of its time. But Acura is dusting off its ZDX nameplate and attaching it to its first battery-electric vehicle, set to arrive as a 2024 model.
The new ZDX will cast a more traditional SUV shape, previewed by Acura’s Precision EV concept (the blue one seen in the gallery above) that debuted during Monterey Car Week in August 2022 and in camouflage form (seen above). Like the future Honda Prologue electric SUV, the Acura will be heavily based on General Motors’ new EV platform that employs its so-called "Ultium" batteries.
We don’t have any new ZDX technical data yet. But If you like the idea of an electric luxury SUV that is also fun to drive, know that Acura has promised a sporty ZDX Type S variant as the brand continues to “focus on putting the driver experience first.”
2024 Cadillac Celestiq
Speaking of GM's EV plans, the automaker's Cadillac Celstiq battery-electric flagship car plans to take on super-luxury vehicles from Rolls-Royce and Bentley to prove the American luxury brand is still the “standard of the world.”
Coming for 2024, the Celestiq is a large, stylish, four-seater liftback made by hand and built to order. The electric Caddy's dedicated powertrain comprises a 111-kWh battery pack and a dual-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain.
As for the Celestiq's performance numbers, Cadillac is targeting 600 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque, one of the quickest zero-to-96-km/h acceleration times of around 3.8 seconds, and over 480 kilometres of driving range on a full charge. With the Celestiq's 200-kilowatt DC fast charging system, Cadillac is also predicting its EV can add over 125 km of range in only 10 minutes of charging at a public DC fast charging station.
Substantiating the flagship's big numbers will be an equally large USD $300,000-plus starting price.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
For roughly 1/10th the cost of GM’s most expensive EV, budget-minded Canadian buyers should save their toonies for the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV compact SUV planned for the 2024 model year.
With a proposed starting price of “around $35,000” in Canadian dollars for the base 1LT trim, the new Equinox EV will be GM’s least expensive battery-electric vehicle now that the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV ($38,943) and Bolt EUV ($40,548) won’t be returning for 2024.
The base Equinox EV’s battery will offer a Chevrolet-estimated 210 hp and 242 lb-ft. Chevy says to expect 400 kilometres of driving range in front-wheel drive form. An optional high-output upgrade will produce 290 hp and 346 lb-ft and a maximum range of up to 480 km. Traction at all four wheels in the form of a second motor attached to the rear axle will offer 450 km of range with either the standard or high-output system.
2024 Dodge Charger Daytona SRT BEV
Ford already has its battery-electric Mustang Mach-E. And GM's Chevrolet has said the next-generation Camaro will be electric only. So it's no surprise that Detroit performance brand rival Dodge is working on an electric muscle car.
First seen as a concept car at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in January, the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) previews a future production two-door coupe with a liftback trunk. Its external styling has links to classic Challenger and Charger models, plus there's the return of the so-called "Fratzog" logo, used on Dodge vehicles from the 1960s and 1970s muscle-car era.
The next-generation Charger is set to use parent Stellantis' upcoming large electric vehicle platform. As for specs, expect three choices: a 400-volt system output of 340 kilowatts (456 hp), a second 440 kilowatts (590 hp) tune, and a future 800-volt SRT Banshee powertrain package.
2025 Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman
Porsche's already proven that an EV can be fun to drive with its Taycan sports sedans and wagons. Next up will be an electric variant of its Macan compact SUV. But Porsche's reputation as a sports car maker will truly be tested with the arrival of the next generation 718 Boxster convertible and Cayman hardtop two-seat sports cars.
The future 718's external looks have been teased by the Mission R concept car (seen above) that debuted in 2022. Remove the race car bodywork, and the Mission R hints at what a production 718 Cayman could look like. Reports expect the new design to incorporate Porsche's "electric front" with wider headlights, just like on the Taycan.
We have yet to get any production performance figures. But there are rumours that the high-performance trims of this next 718 will use a front motor, making the electric 718 the first all-wheel drive version of the nameplate.
