Tesla Model S

This sleek, fully-electric four-door luxury car seats five, or seven with the optional rear-facing jump seats. With its standard 75-kWh battery we found the Tesla could cover 235 miles on a single charge. The car can be charged in about 6 hours on a dedicated Tesla connector or it can be topped off for free at public Superchargers. Performance is exceptional, with quiet and thrilling acceleration, pinpoint handling, and a firm yet comfortable ride--particularly with the 19-inch tires and optional air suspension. The hatchback design aids versatility and the front trunk is a bonus. A huge iPad-like center touchscreen interfaces with most functions but proves distracting. Other drawbacks include tight access, restricted visibility, and range limitations, especially in cold weather. All-wheel drive and active safety features are also available.

The Tesla Model S is a great four-door luxury sports car that just also happens to be an electric vehicle. A large, low-slung hatchback, it easily seats five, or seven in a pinch when fitted with rear-facing jump seats. With its optional 85 kWh battery, the Tesla can travel between 180 and 225 miles per charge, at least twice as far as other electrics. It can also be fully charged in as little as five hours. Performance is exceptional, with thrilling acceleration, pinpoint handling, and a superb ride. A huge iPad-like center screen controls nearly all accessory functions. Drawbacks include tight access and restricted visibility. All-wheel drive versions were added in 2014, along with an optional Autopilot suite of advanced electronics, which give the car limited self-driving capabilities.