Best Electric Cars with AWD
Steve Birkett is an electric vehicle advocate based in Greater Boston, Massachusetts. He is a content creator and marketing professional who contributes written and recorded pieces to a wide range of media outlets. His analysis has been featured in Find The Best Car Price, WWLP TV, and Torque News, among others. He has also had video content featured on Inside EVs. Birkett was an EV Guide for Plug in America events in Massachusetts (Drive Electric Cambridge and Drive Electric Lowell) and Ohio (Earth Day 2019 at Cleveland Zoo). He participates in quarterly advisory panel meetings for EVolve New York (a state-level charging initiative) and has contributed to focus groups for prominent U.S. charging networks.
Birkett is a father-of-two who loves nothing more than packing up the family and hitting the road in their latest electric car, which is currently a 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5. With multiple Chevy Bolts in his past, as well as a Chevy Volt and Tesla Model 3 LR in the extended family, plus various EV rentals when he ventures back home to his native United Kingdom, Birkett has more than 100,000 all-electric miles under his belt and is always ready to try out a new electric vehicle.
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As more models are electrified, the benefits of electric cars with AWD become clearer. With instant torque and exact throttle control, an inherent feature of electric vehicles (EVs), automakers are able to fine-tune driving dynamics and enhance vehicle stability.
Precision and performance rank high on the list of considerations for car buyers in this segment, making all-wheel drive a focus for any brand serious about electrification.
This article looks at some of the best electric cars with AWD that you can buy today, what they do well, and which you might want to avoid if towing, off-roading, or driving long distances are on your agenda.
Check out our full list of the best EVs here >>
Table of Contents
Electric Cars with AWD (aka Dual Motor/Tri-Motor EVs)
While many all-electric models come with the feature, they aren't always labeled clearly as AWD electric cars.
Check out our list for more AWD sedan options outside of the EV space.
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In the world of Tesla, you'll see the term "dual motor" everywhere, from spec sheets to the back of the EV itself. Then there's the more traditional automotive practice of giving your AWD technology a fancy name, from the legendary label of Audi's Quattro badge to the likes of Nissan, who adopt the rather awkward e4ORCE tag for all-wheel drive models.
Whatever the automaker calls it, for AWD electric cars, we’re talking about powering the front wheels with one electric motor and adding another to do the same at the rear. We also have tri-motor options at the top end of Tesla’s range in the Model S and X, while quad-motor options are being explored by “electric adventure vehicle” startup Rivian and supercar marques like Rimac and Lotus.
The important thing to note when electric cars have an AWD option is that range is likely to be lower than those with only a single electric motor, whether it's FWD or RWD. That extra hardware adds weight, while powering two motors to move the car tends to suck up more juice than just one, which translates to improved acceleration and handling but fewer miles on a single charge.
- Check out our picks for the best electric SUVs >>
Best Electric Cars with AWD Comparison
| Model | MSRP | Range | HP/Torque | Towing Capacity |
| Jeep Wrangler 4xe | ||||
| Toyota RAV4 Prime | ||||
| Tesla Model Y | ||||
| Audi eTron | ||||
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | ||||
| Jaguar I-PACE |
1. Jeep Wrangler 4xe
As we’re at the beginning of a major transition for the automotive sector, it seems appropriate to start with a hybrid AWD electric car. That’s the Wrangler 4xe, Jeep’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
Electrifying the Jeep brand marks another step into the world of all-wheel drive vehicles. The iconic off-road brand chose to begin by offering the best of both worlds: battery-electric tech for smooth, instant power delivery and a combustion engine to go the distance on longer trips. That translates to only 21 all-electric miles from the Jeep Wrangler 4xe’s 17.3 kWh battery pack.
A combined 375 horsepower and 470 pounds-feet of torque on tap from two electric motors and its four-cylinder engine makes the 4xe comparable to every other model, with the clear exception of Tesla.
When it comes to going off-road, the Jeep is clearly the pick of the bunch. These vehicles are designed to be rugged and handle tricky terrain, so the electric power simply builds on that already firm base.
In itself, buying a Jeep is as much a lifestyle choice as it is a desire to have power at every wheel. The 4xe promises to bring the benefits of electric AWD without the need to abandon the convenience of gasoline completely.
Current Jeep Wrangler Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Jeep deals here.
2. Toyota RAV4 Prime
Sticking with plug-in hybrid options, Toyota’s RAV4 Prime offers the practical side of all-electric driving with a little bit of adventure performance for good measure. With only a slightly larger battery pack than the Jeep at 18.1 kWh, at 42 miles on a charge, Toyota’s famous hybrid efficiency squeezes twice as much range out of that pack. As a daily driver, that should handle short commutes and errands without burning a gallon of gas.
Naturally, this family-friendly SUV from a sensible brand isn’t quite as capable when it comes to towing or getting off the beaten path. Nonetheless, its 2,500 lbs of towing capacity is respectable and beats some of the all-electric models on this list, while its ground clearance above 8” and a dedicated “Trail Mode” gives it a leg up on plenty of mainstream competitors.
Even in the performance stakes, where all-electric models tend to win out over gas when it comes to acceleration, the RAV4 Prime posts an impressive 0-60mph time of 5.7 seconds. That’s only slightly slower than the original Audi eTron and available for a far lower price.
Availability is where this compelling option comes unstuck, however. Toyota sold only 3,200 units of the RAV4 Prime in the US during 2020, making the plug-in hybrid variant of this hugely popular line less than 1% of overall RAV4 sales.
Consumers report great difficulty finding the model outside of states with strict emissions regulations, which could make the RAV4 Prime the best AWD electric car that money can’t buy if you’re not in the right market. With an AWD version of Volkswagen’s affordable all-electric ID.4 on the horizon for 2022 and free fuel for three years with that vehicle, Toyota might have missed its window to stake a claim with this impressive PHEV.
Current Toyota RAV4 Prime Deals & Incentives
You may qualify for deals and incentives, check out this month's Toyota deals and average prices paid.
3. Tesla Model Y
Tesla’s entry into the small crossover market is an undeniable success, driving the electric-only automaker to around half a million vehicles sold in 2020 and showing no signs of slowing in its first full year of sales. For an even more powerful AWD option, the Tesla Model X stands out as a powerful EV for towing, but the Model Y offers similar capability and a price point more in line with other models we cover here.
Unlike its less expensive sibling, the Model 3, the Y is only available in dual motor configuration at the time of writing and represents excellent value against other competitors on this list. Its 326 miles of range sits top of the list for all-electric models, while also posting strong performance numbers and a high towing capacity at a fraction of the price when compared to luxury automakers.
Build quality and customer service can be a concern with such a relatively new automaker, but standards are improving and owners swear by Tesla’s technology and infrastructure. With the company’s combination of excellent performance (0-60mph in 4.8 seconds), high efficiency, and a dedicated fast charging network available only to Tesla drivers, it’s hard to beat a dual motor Tesla when considering the best AWD electric cars.
4. Audi eTron
Aside from the Tesla Model X, Audi’s eTron is the AWD electric vehicle that we most associate with the capability and precision of all-wheel drive.
For starters, it has the highest towing capacity of any model on this list and proved that prowess by towing the historic EV1 to a major EV show in 2020. Add the power of dual motors that bake in the precision of Audi’s vaunted quattro technology, and you have one of the best AWD electric cars on the market today.
What the Audi eTron line lacks in range - giving up more than 100 miles compared to its Tesla counterpart - it attempts to make up for in quality. For any buyer seeking refinement over range, the eTron boasts the most impressive cabin on this list and offers more options across its variants than either Tesla or Jaguar can claim.
For most buyers, the decision will come down to how often they’re prepared to stop to charge. While the Audi has a solid 150 kW charge rate that holds all the way up to the top of the pack, unlike most others that taper power away gradually at higher states of charge, it uses that energy much less efficiently than most on the list. However, if a 20-30 minute charge stop every 2-3 hours works with your travel style, the Audi eTron is one of the nicest ways to get there in an AWD electric car.
Current Audi eTron Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Audi deals and average prices paid.
5. Ford Mustang Mach-E
The first truly competitive electric car from Ford is also one of the only models on the list that comes in a single motor format (RWD), so for the purposes of this article, we’re referring to those Mach-E’s with the “E4X” badge. That brings with it an AWD electric car packing an extended range battery pack of 88 kWh rather than the standard 20 kWh, delivering up to 270 miles of EPA-estimated range in this configuration.
In terms of all-wheel drive performance, the Mustang Mach-E prioritizes driving style over any off-road adventures. Its 4.8 seconds 0-60mph time is close enough to Tesla and Jaguar to make it a brisk ride, but Ford isn’t trying to claim that you can wade a Mach-E out into deep water or haul a large load out into the woods. Instead, the focus is on squeezing the power and road handling of the Mustang marque into a family-friendly vehicle style. If early reports are anything to go by, they appear to have hit the mark with solid sales and strong consumer interest in the Mach-E.
In terms of charging capability, the Mustang Mach-E has pros and cons. Its maximum charge rate of 150 kW places it a firm second alongside the Audi eTron, but it only holds that level for a short time and drops a lot after 80% state of charge. Nonetheless, the Mach-E provides direct competition to Tesla at a time when consumers are considering the switch to all-electric driving. Still, not everyone embraces the minimalism of a Model Y.
Current Ford Mustang Mach-E Deals & Incentives
You may qualify for deals and incentives, check out this month's Ford deals and average prices paid.
6. Jaguar I-PACE
Jaguar’s first and only entrant into the electric car market to date only had a brief moment in the sun before newer models eclipsed it, but the I-PACE remains a compelling AWD electric vehicle in its own right. Lauded for its handling and refinement upon release, the same attributes, and slightly improved technology help the model make this grade three years later.
Similar to the Audi eTron, though more performance-oriented, Jaguar delivers an AWD offering that is as quick off the line as many Teslas and even has the chops to handle difficult terrain. Adjustable air suspension gives the I-PACE a maximum 7.8” of ground clearance, and Jaguar reports a wading depth of almost 20”, if you choose to get your wheels wet. While it may not have the rock-crawling ability of a Jeep, it holds impressive credentials for what is generally regarded as a luxury crossover SUV.
Where the I-PACE falls down in comparison to the best AWD electric cars is its combination of average range and charging. Although 234 miles on a charge isn’t the lowest on this list, it pales in comparison to a Tesla or gas-assisted models, and a charge speed of 100 kW also means that charge stops will be the longest of any model on this list. Towing capacity is also 3-5x lower than others, making the I-PACE a no-go if you need to haul substantial trailer loads on a regular basis.
Current Jaguar I-PACE Deals & Incentives
You may qualify for deals and incentives, check out this month's Jaguar deals here.
