Best Electric Sports Cars [2023 Edition]
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.
For press inquiries, contact [email protected]
It’s hard to argue that the futuristic technology, quiet ride, and blistering acceleration of electric sports cars aren’t worth the price of admission. Factor in lower maintenance costs, plus all those gas savings, and the price difference evens out as an electric car piles on the miles.
For those reasons and many more, we recommend the following models as the best electric sports cars that you can buy in 2022.
Check out our full list of the best EVs here >>
Table of Contents
Best Electric Sports Cars
Ten years ago, the idea of the “best electric sports cars” would be a contradiction in terms.
Electric cars were better known for their short range and lack of performance, while hybrids were synonymous with sluggish acceleration and fuel-sipping efficiency.
Looking for more performance in your AWD? Check out our list of the best AWD sports cars.
Show More
Then, Tesla came along to redefine what EVs can do and create a brand new category: performance electric cars.
With instant torque and 0-60mph times around 5 seconds on even entry-level Teslas, the move to bring sporty electric performance to the masses was underway.
Today, legacy automakers are rising to meet the challenge. While track performance is still limited, there are now several models that fall into the category of electric sports cars that can also be daily drivers.
Best Electric Sports Cars Comparison
| Model | MSRP (Base) | EPA Range | Horsepower | 0-60 MPH Time |
| Porsche Taycan | ||||
| Tesla Model S Plaid | ||||
| Audi e-Tron GT | ||||
| Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | ||||
| Tesla Model 3 Performance |
1. Porsche Taycan
For the evolution of electric cars, a brand with the prestige and automotive expertise of Porsche delivering a performance EV was an important moment. Fast forward a couple of years and the Porsche Taycan line has produced compelling offshoots like the Sport Turismo and Cross Turismo wagons, most of which leap to 60 mph in well under 5 seconds and cruise with ease at eye-watering speeds.
EPA range of 227 miles is deceptively low, as the Taycan’s low drag coefficient yields much higher mileage even on the Interstate. At any speed, Porsche’s electric sports car is comfortable delivering up to 590 HP with precise control and exceptional stability. Combined with the company’s class-leading battery heating and cooling system, that performance is delivered time after time, while others on this list will throttle peak power after a few hot laps and need some time to cool off.
Coupled with the refinement of the Porsche brand and top-line charging speeds that beat out Tesla, the Taycan is often cited as the electric sports car to beat. Though it might not quite match the straight-line acceleration of the top-tier EVs at all trim levels, the overall performance and driveability of a Porsche Taycan are a cut above the competition.
Current Porsche Taycan Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Porsche | Taycan | $1,299/month for 39 months, $9,999 due at signing | 10/2/23 | ||
| 2022 | Porsche | Taycan 4S |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Porsche deals and average prices paid.
2. Tesla Model S Plaid
The long-awaited update to Tesla’s first mass-market electric car, the Model S, promised much and did not disappoint in terms of sheer acceleration. Hitting 60 mph in under 2 seconds and posting quarter-mile times below 10 seconds garnered all kinds of headlines, while setting lap records at the world-famous Nürburgring in Germany further bolstered the Plaid’s sports car credentials.
However, while its straight-line speed is undeniable, critics have highlighted the car’s insufficient braking power for all that power and questioned whether it is a good fit for track conditions. Nonetheless, on the road in more regular conditions, there’s nothing quite as exhilarating right now as a Model S Plaid.
Beyond the headline specs, Tesla has also delivered several compelling updates that distinguish the Model S Plaid from both its previous versions and the other electric sports cars on this list. The yoke steering wheel is the most immediately obvious, proving controversial but offering the driver a clearer view of the instrument cluster and the road ahead. And while other luxury competitors now offer greater range, the fact that the Plaid brings all this power and performance while still delivering 390 miles on a charge and seating five comfortably is enough to make it one of the best electric sports cars on the market today.
3. Audi e-Tron GT
Audi’s performance entrant in the EV space also marks its first electric sports car, with previous iterations of the e-Tron line sticking to the SUV and crossback form factor. However, the e-Tron GT is Audi’s take on the same platform upon which the Porsche Taycan is built, so it’s a low-slung sports sedan with a lot to live up to.
In terms of pure performance, the Audi e-Tron GT stacks up well against the best electric sports cars on this list. It doesn’t have the neck-snapping acceleration of the Model S Plaid or the sheer racing pedigree of a Porsche, but it will take you to 60 mph in under 3 seconds on a good day in the RS model and delivers on Audi’s stellar reputation for refined cabin quality.
The e-Tron also utilizes the same 800-volt system as the Taycan, yielding a fast charge curve that gets owners from a low state of charge to 80% in around 20 minutes on a charger that can pump out that level of power. That’s competitive with both Tesla or Taycan and ensures drivers are back on the road - or track - as quickly as possible.
Current Audi e-Tron GT Deals & Incentives
You may qualify for deals and incentives, check out this month's Audi deals.
4. Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance
When the first ground-up EV from Ford was revealed to be a variant of the iconic Mustang brand, purists had their concerns. When it was unveiled as a family-friendly crossover shape, they outright flipped their tables. Against this backdrop of industry uncertainty and fan angst, Ford knew they had to deliver a compelling performance version of the Mustang Mach-E, which is where the GT edition comes in.
In its top trim, the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance, Ford’s electric sports car delivers 480 HP and holds a respectable 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. While that’s slower than everything else on this list, it’s an impressive number for a crossover that’s as comfortable hauling kids as it is carving corners. Part of that performance appeal lies in the top trim’s MagnaRide adaptive suspension, which combined with improved dampeners makes this model truly distinct from its more sedate siblings.
Unfortunately, initial tests point to thermal limitations of Mach-E GT, even with activation of Ford’s version of track mode, Unbridled Extend. In truth, it’s unlikely that many will cross-shop the Mach-E with most of the other electric sports cars on this list. For a family option that also offers up significant performance for those fun weekend drives, however, the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance deserves its place on this list.
Current Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Deals & Incentives
You may qualify for deals and incentives, check out this month's Ford deals.
5. Tesla Model 3 Performance
Until the Model S Plaid came along, many Tesla fans would point to the Model 3 Performance as the electric automaker’s best bet for track days. Although older versions of the Model S included track-friendly features like Ludicrous mode and sub-3 second 0-60mph times, the modern technology and agility of the Model 3, combined with a much lower price tag, made its Performance version a compelling option.
Like the Mach-E GT, the Model 3 Performance doesn’t trouble the far more expensive Taycan or Plaid in terms of acceleration or power. However, it does bring a dedicated track mode, upgradeable brakes, and rear-wheel power adjustment for drifting shenanigans.
Power delivery was also enhanced by 5% with a simple over-the-air update, giving owners around 470 HP that almost matches the much newer Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance. At a base price of around $59,000, the Tesla Model 3P is also the most affordable electric sports car on this list. For anyone who wants all the benefits of a Tesla with more fun available for those solo weekend drives, the Model 3 Performance is a compelling option.
All of these options offer different value propositions, with some more suitable to spirited road driving and others well-equipped to tackle track meets. If you’re in the market for a performance EV, the models on this list represent some of the best electric sports cars available.
Once you get it, don't forget to name your electric car and make the purchase even more memorable.
