Best Electric Cars of 2026, According to Consumer Reports' Tests

These reliable electric vehicles from BMW, Ford, Tesla, and other automakers demonstrate impressive range and everyday practicality

Jon Linkov, Consumer Reports Autos Editor.

By Jon Linkov
Autos Editor

Updated January 20, 2026

The ranges that manufacturers advertise for their electric vehicles can vary significantly from the distance they can cover in real life, according to CR’s testing. For example, some EVs fall short of their EPA-estimated range by up to 50 miles. Others actually exceed them in our real-world, 70-mph highway range evaluations. So to choose the best electric cars each year, CR adds EV-specific criteria to its exclusive battery of car tests.

EVs are available in all shapes and body styles, from small and midsized cars to SUVs and even pickup trucks. There are entry-level models that can travel about 200 miles, while most go between 250 and 350 miles on a single charge. A limited number of models can cover up to 400 miles—or more—on a single charge.

In this article

Best Electric: Mainstream Cars Luxury Cars Two-Row SUVs Luxury SUVs Pickup Truck
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Jon Linkov

Jon Linkov is the deputy auto editor at Consumer Reports. He has been with CR since 2002, covering varied automotive topics including buying and leasing, maintenance and repair, ownership, reliability, used cars, and electric vehicles. He manages CR’s lineup of special interest publications, hosts CR’s “Talking Cars” podcast, and writes and edits content for CR’s online and print products. An avid cyclist, Jon also enjoys driving his ’80s-era sports car and instructing at track days.