Rolls-Royce Spectre

Plugging into 2024 with the hottest EVs rolling

CASEY WILLIAMS | Auto Reviewer
AutoCasey@AOL.com

This is the year during which our travel from gas to electric gets real — and really cool. From an electric Cadillac Escalade to a fossil-free Rolls-Royce coupe, Ram pickup, Fiat city car and every shape and price of crossovers, let’s kick it in the power plug and get going!

Cadillac Escalade IQ
Caddy’s hedonistic SUV goes electric. Passengers enjoy a cabin with pillar-to-pillar infotainment screens, second-row executive package and 40-speaker AKG audio. Specs measure 750 horsepower, 450 miles range, charging 100 miles in 10 minutes, 4-wheel steering, and 0-60 mph under 5 seconds. It can even low-ride and crab-crawl to curbs.
Base price: $130,000

Kia EV9
Like a grown-up EV6, the EV9 is Kia’s first three-row crossover. Future-tank design fronts modernist interiors with dual displays, vegan leather and second row leg extensions. It boasts 379 horsepower, 5,000 lbs. towing capacity, 0-60 mph in 5 seconds and ability to fast charge 10-80 percent in just 25 minutes. Lidar collision avoidance tech enhances safety.
Base price: $55,000

Honda Prologue
Imagine an all-electric Passport sharing platform, motors and batteries with GM vehicles like the Chevy Blazer EV. But it has a unique Honda style from California studios with 21-inch wheels, panoramic sunroof and interior with wide touchscreen. It claims 300 miles driving range, Google built-in and likely hands-off driving
Base price: $48,000

Chevy Equinox EV
Joining the Bolt, Blazer and Silverado in Chevy’s EV line-up is a smooth electric version of the Equinox with up to 290 horsepower and 300-mile range. Add 70 mile-range in 10 minutes. AWD is optional, as are 21-inch wheels, hands-free liftgate, head-up display and Super Cruise hands-off highway driving. Check the twin dash screens.
Base price: $30,000

Fiat 500e
Italy’s favorite city car returns to America as the ultimate fossil-free fashion accessory. Concepts from Armani and Bulgari embrace sustainable luxury as both three-door hatchbacks and cabrios. Super simple interiors with digital gauges add a 10.3-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay/Auto. Expect 117 horsepower and 180 miles driving range.
Base price: $30,000

Ram 1500 REV
Following Ford and Chevy, Ram goes electric with a pickup boasting 350 miles range (500 miles optional) and ability to charge 110 miles in 10 minutes. It tows up to 14,000 pounds, but more impressive is a luxurious interior that adopts a passenger-side screen and 23-speaker Klipsch audio system. Power open the frunk for easy loading.
Base price: $60,000

Acura ZDX
Acura’s first EV busts out with future edgy styling that showcases its new direction and a cabin awash with Google built-in, Bang & Olufsen audio and available hands-free highway cruising. In Type S trim, it generates 500 horsepower — the most of any Acura SUV — for brisk acceleration. Expect up to 325 miles driving range.
Base price: $60,000

Nissan Leaf
It isn’t fancy, but it is affordable. Tall crossover proportions graced with boomerang lamps and available black 17-inch wheels encircle luxuries like heated seats and steering wheel, adaptive cruise with lane tracing and fold-down seats for loading one’s stuff. The 214 horsepower system delivers 212 miles range, but it takes 45 minutes to fast charge.
Base price: $28,140

Fisker Ocean
Designed by Henrik Fisker with a Pacific vibe, the little crossover delights with a rotating touchscreen for movies, taco trays that pop from the console and 575 watts of 3D audio. Engage California Mode to open all windows plus the panoramic roof for beach days. Top models deliver 564 horsepower, 360-mile range, and 0-60 in 3.7s.
Base price: $37,499

Rolls-Royce Spectre (top)
“Silent, luxurious and fast” defines RR — and will continue to as it debuts its first dedicated EV. Like any Rolls, it exudes superlatives: 584 horsepower, 329 miles range, 0-60 in 4.4 seconds and doors illuminated with 4,796 light points. As is tradition, owners can order the aerodynamic coupe bespoke with swaths of custom wood and leather.
Base price: $420,000