SUVs and crossovers have long gained popularity, overtaking sedans and minivans as the go-to family car. Their biggest downside has been their fuel economy, which became a glaring issue as gas prices rose.

Automakers saw the opportunity in the electric SUV space and are now capitalizing on it with an increasing number of these electric cars hitting the market. Today, most manufacturers have at least one all-electric SUV or crossover to meet this growing demand.

Here are 12 of the best electric SUVs in Canada in 2023.

12 Best Electric SUVs in Canada

Electric SUVs in Canada must meet a broad cross-section of buyers by offering zero emissions, ample EV range, interior spaciousness, cargo room, and an affordable price. These specs all influenced our choice of the best electric SUVs in Canada.

Source: Edmunds

Chevrolet Bolt EUV

The base Chevrolet Bolt EV enjoyed great success when it arrived, so Chevy chose to build upon that by releasing a higher-riding, more spacious model dubbed the Bolt EUV. This popular Bolt EV crossover variant offers a 68-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack that delivers up to a 397-km driving range, meeting most commuters’ needs.

The Bolt EUV has a range of charging options too. On a 120-volt household plug, you’ll gain 6 km of range per charging hour. Bump up to a 240-volt, 32-amp plug — like what runs a clothes dryer — and you’ll get about 40 km of driving range per charging hour. On a 240-volt, 48-amp charger, you’ll get about 56 km per hour. Finally, you’ll get around 153 km of range on DC fast charging in just 30 minutes.

Inside, the Chevy Bolt EUV has a spacious back seat with up to 976 mm of legroom and 960 mm of rear headroom. With the seats upright, the cargo space is tight at 462 litres, but it expands to a spacious 1,611 litres with the seats lowered.

The Bolt EUV is also a technical stalwart with all the advanced tech features buyers want, including a touchscreen infotainment system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, Bluetooth, and more. There is also no shortage of advanced safety gear.

Source: Car and Driver

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Ford threw its hat into the electric SUV ring in a somewhat controversial way when it introduced the Mustang Mach-E. Some Mustang fans were taken aback by the use of the legendary sportscar’s nameplate, but much of that controversy has settled, and this crossover is enjoying a lot of success.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E lives up to the legendary Mustang’s performance roots, with powertrain options that range from relatively tame to wild. In its base setup, the Mustang Mach-E delivers 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque through the rear wheels, which amounts to a sub-6-second 0-100 km/h time. However, buyers can opt for the GT Performance Edition, which has 480 horsepower and 634 pound-feet of torque and delivers a roughly 3.5-second 0-100km/h time.

But the Ford Mustang Mach-E is not all about its speed. It also features a roomy interior with 38.1 inches of rear seat legroom and up to 970 mm of rear headroom. Cargo room is also ample at 841 litres with the rear seats up and 1,691 litres with them folded. It also has a 133-litre front trunk.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E’s all-electric driving range is a big draw, as it delivers up to 502 km of range in the California Route 1 trim. However, if you want the GT Performance Edition, the range falls to 418 km. The lowest-range Mustang Mach-E is the Standard Range variant, which offers 397 km of driving range.

Like the Bolt EUV, the Mach-E comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Apple CarPlay. It also includes a massive tablet-like touchscreen, and many other tech goodies.

Source: MotorTrend

Hyundai Kona Electric

Hyundai has since moved on to other electric vehicles (EVs), but one of its first was the Kona Electric. This tiny crossover delivers a 415-km all-electric range, meeting the needs of most Canadian drivers. Plus, it delivers a little pop with 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque at its disposal.

Charging times vary by charger, of course. They start at 9 hours, 15 minutes (10%-100%) on a Level 2 240-volt box and bottom out at 47 minutes (10%-80%) on a 100-kW DC fast charger. On a 50-kW fast charger, you’ll get an 80% charge in 64 minutes.

This entry-level electric crossover falters a bit in interior spaciousness, offering a tight 848 mm of rear seat legroom. This is OK for small kids, but teenagers and above will feel cramped. Cargo room is also limited at 544 litres with the rear seats upright and 1,297 litres with the seats folded.

The Kona Electric boasts standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a touchscreen infotainment system, and other tech buyers expect.

Source: J.D. Power

Volkswagen ID.4

The Volkswagen ID.4 is the German automaker’s initial foray into the electric crossover segment. Its Pro trim level with rear-wheel drive (RWD) delivers up to a 443-km electric range, making it a solid option for most Canadian commuters.

The ID.4 comes standard with RWD and delivers 201 horsepower. Optionally, buyers can add a dual-electric-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrain that pushes its output to 295 horsepower. This upgraded powertrain delivers roughly a 5.5-second 0-100 km/h time.

Inside, the Volkswagen ID.4 has tons of cargo room, totaling 858 litres with the rear seats upright and 1,818 litres with the seats folded. Legroom is also good at 955 mm in the rear seats, making them acceptable for kids and adults.

Like others on this list, the ID.4 has standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more.

Source: Digital Trends

Hyundai IONIQ 5

Having debuted in the 2022 model year, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is one of the newest compact electric SUVs on the market. Part hatchback, part SUV, this small people hauler checks many boxes. It features a powertrain that ranges from the mild 225-horsepower model to a range-topping dual-motor model with 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque for a roughly 5-second 0-100 km/h sprint time.

On top of being quick, the IONIQ 5 can also tow up to 2,000 pounds, satisfying many crossover buyers' needs.

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 offers 400- and 800-volt charging capabilities, allowing it to charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes on a 350-kW fast charger. On Level 2 chargers, the IONIQ 5 takes just 6 hours, 43 minutes to recharge to 100%.

The IONIQ 5 delivers plenty of range in all variants, starting at 354 km in the Standard Range trim. Moving into the Long Range Trim, the EV range tops out at 488 km.

Interior roominess is no issue for the IONIQ 5, as it offers 770 litres of space behind the rear seats and 1,679 litres with the rear seats folded. Rear legroom is also ample, offering 1,001 mm in the rear seats.

Source: MotorTrend

Kia EV6

The Kia EV6 shares a platform with the Hyundai IONIQ 5, making the two rather similar mechanically.

The EV6’s powertrain options start with an electric motor that delivers 167 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. However, buyers can choose from various powertrain options that top out at 576 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque in the EV6 GT, giving it supercar-like acceleration.

The EV6’s driving range starts at 332 km in the GT AWD variant and tops out at 499 km in the Long Range model. For reference, the EV6 Standard Range model has a 373-km all-electric driving range.

Like its compact SUV cousin, the IONIQ 5, the EV6 has a roomy interior with 991 mm of rear seat legroom. Its cargo room ranges from 691 litres of cargo room with the rear seats upright and 1,422 litres with the rear seats folded.

Source: Tesla

Tesla Model Y

Tesla may not have invented the EV segment, but it has revolutionized it. The Tesla Model Y was one of these revolutions, bringing huge range, a spacy cabin, and insane performance to the small crossover realm.

The Tesla Model Y’s driving range starts at 449 km and tops at 531 km in the Long Range AWD model.

The Model Y also performs well, starting with the base model, which sprints to 100 km/h in under 5 seconds. In the Model Y Performance trim, it can hit 100 km/h in around 3.5 seconds.

Inside, the Model Y has lots of room, starting with 1,029 mm of second-row seat legroom. It also has a seven-seat option, including a third row with a tight 673 mm of  legroom.

Cargo volume ranges from 855 to 2,158 litres in the 5-passenger model. The 7-passenger model’s cargo space ranges from 753 to 2,039 litres.

The Model Y is about as advanced as they come in the tech department, but it surprisingly lacks Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Source: Guide Auto

BMW iX xDrive50

Looking for a luxury electric SUV? BMW has you covered with its iX xDrive50. This battery-electric luxury SUV has all the bells and whistles any buyer would need, including a panorama glass roof, a curved display that combines a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 14.9-inch control display, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, lounge rear seats, a minimalist interior design, and much more.

On top of its posh cabin, it also boasts a 516-horsepower electric motor and standard AWD that blast it to 100 km/h in under five seconds. It also delivers plenty of driving range of up to 521 km with 20-inch wheels.

To get a full charge at home on the available BMW Wallbox take 11.5 hours from 0%. If you’re on the road and using a DC fast charger, you can get up to 100 km of driving range in nine minutes on a 150-kW charger and 21 minutes on a 50-kW charger.

Source: MotorTrend

Kia Niro EV

The Kia Niro got a full overhaul for the 2023 model year, giving it a striking new look that’s sure to get its fair share of attention. It also received a powertrain upgrade with an electric motor churning out 201 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. A 64.4-kWh battery pack fuels this powertrain, giving it a 407-km driving range.

For a subcompact electric SUV in Canada, the Niro EV offers a fair amount of interior room, including 938 mm of rear legroom. Its interior is also well-equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and more. It also has many safety tech standards, such as junction turning crash avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-following assist, highway-driving assist, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, automatic headlights, and more.

Source: Forbes

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

Mercedes-Benz has launched an entire lineup of new EVs under the EQ, and the largest of them, the EQS SUV, lands on our list. The EQS SUV comes in a trio of flavours. starting with the EQS 450 4MATIC. This AWD variant boasts 335 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, pushing it to 100 km/h in six seconds. Moving up to the EQS 580 4MATIC bumps the output to 516 horsepower and 632 pound-feet of torque for a 4.6-second 0-100 km/h sprint time. In addition to being relatively quick, these electric SUVs also offer 459-km driving ranges.

Charging either EQS at home from 0% on a 240-volt power source takes 11.25 hours. If you’re on the road and hit a 200-kW DC fast charger, you can charge from 20% to 80% in just 37 minutes.

This large SUV has loads of cargo room, offering 651 litres of space with all the seats upright and 2,095 litres with all the seats folded. Second-row legroom is also plentiful at 1,049 mm. This cabin is also very technologically advanced, with a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.89-inch OLED infotainment touchscreen, touch-sensitive steering wheel controls, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, online music streaming, and much more to go along with its luxurious styling.

Safety is also top-notch in the EQS SUV. It comes standard with an array of high-end, high-tech safety features, such as car-to-X communication, following distance control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, driver attention assist, adaptive headlights, and more.

Source: Top Gear

Audi Q8 e-tron

The Audi Q8 e-tron comes in two designs, the more traditional SUV look and the sporty Q8 Sportback e-tron that adds a coupe-like rear glass. Despite their design differences, these q8 e-tron variants are mechanically the same, each boasting a dual-motor electric powertrain with AWD that delivers 402 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque in boost mode for a 5.7-second 0-to-100-km sprint time. In standard mode, they deliver 355 horsepower and a 6.6-second sprint time.

Their driving range is the only powertrain spec that differs between the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron. The sleeker Sportback model can travel 476 km on a charge, while the base Q8 e-tron can drive 459 km. On a DC fast charger with a 170-kW charging speed, the Q8 e-tron can charge from 10% to 80% in just 31 minutes.

The Q8 e-tron is loaded with all sorts of high-end tech, including a 12.3-inch LED instrument panel, a 3D Bang & Olufsen audio system, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, parking aid, adaptive cruise, l;ane-keeping assist, a 360-degree camera, head-up display, automatic emergency braking, and more.

Source: Engadget

Nissan Ariya

Nissan relaunched the EV segment when it debuted the Nissan LEAF way back in 2011. Then Nissan laid low as other automakers took over the segment. But the Japanese automaker is back with an all-new electric SUV in Canada, the Nissan Ariya.

This stylish electric SUV has a lot to offer buyers, starting with powertrain options that range from a 214-horsepower front-wheel-drive variant to a 389-horsepower dual-motor AWD variant. There are also two battery options, a 66-kWh battery pack and a 91-kWh unit for the PLUS and Premier models.

Driving range varies from 330 km in the Evolve model, which features the 335-horsepower powertrain and the smaller battery pack to 490 km in the Venture+ trim, which combines a 238-horsepower powertrain with the 91-kWh battery pack. The base Engage trim, which combined the 214-horsepower powertrain and the 66-kWh battery pack delivers a 348-km driving range.

Tech features are plentiful in the Ariya, and they include a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated front and rear seats, SiriusXM, door-to-door connected navigation, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, haptic steering, blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-change collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and more.

Clutch Has a Wide Selection of Quality Pre-Owned Electric SUVs

Are you looking to save big on one of Canada's 12 best electric SUVs? Clutch, Canada’s largest online used car retailer, can help.

We have a vast inventory of electric vehicles, including electric SUVs capable of hauling people and cargo efficiently. Plus, all our electric SUVs go through a 210-point inspection and reconditioning process to ensure they’re ready for the road. Plus, we add to your peace of mind with a no-cost 90-Day or 6,000-km Protection Plan.

You’ll also get a 10-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t feel you chose the best electric car during this time, you can return it for a refund or exchange it for a new car from our inventory.

Check out our lineup of available electric SUVs today. Choose the one that suits your needs, then we’ll set up financing and evaluate your trade 100% online. We’ll then deliver your electric SUV to your home — no need to set foot in a dealership.