Top 5 Luxury EVs for 2022

In this post, we take a look at some of the most luxurious premium all-electric cars set to take 2022 by storm.

Designed for comfort and a touch of class, these cars are lightning quick off the mark, can go impressive distances on a single charge and boast the latest, most forward-thinking technology.

Tesla Model S

Tesla has built a couple of chart-topping luxury electric cars that we think will make serious headway in 2022. First up is the Model S, which has actually been around since 2012, but has undergone a major update this year.

This 5-door sleek saloon has an aerodynamic exterior featuring a tinted panoramic glass roof and flush door handles that pop out when you press them.

The Model S comes in two models – Long Range and Plaid.

The Plaid has the fastest acceleration of any electric car on the road today. With three electric motors, it produces 1,020hp, can hit a top speed of 200mph and can accelerate from 0-60mph in a mind-boggling 1.99 seconds!

Here’s a video of the Plaid beating a $300,000 McLaren 720S in a drag race. It’s incredible to see just how far EV technology has progressed in the last decade.

If that’s not impressive enough, the Long Range version has a WLTP range of 405 miles (the 3^rd best range of any EV). Charging-wise, you can use one of Tesla’s 250kW Superchargers that will recharge up to 200 miles in just 15 minutes.  A full list of Tesla’s superchargers in the UK can be found here.

To add to the luxury feel, the Model S’s interior is dominated by a giant 17” cinematic display. Here you can browse the web, have a singalong karaoke session, stream music, watch Netflix and more. (Not when driving of course!)

A second display lies in front of the driver showing a variety of vehicle info and a third is in the back to provide entertainment for rear passengers. Elon Musk is a self-confessed avid video gamer so it’s no surprise that Tesla’s latest Model S cars even come equipped with a gaming computer (Tesla Arcade) on a processor that is said to rival the Playstation 5! Fancy a game of Cyberpunk 2077?

Another cool update designed to invoke that high-performance feeling is the new “yoke” steering wheel (with no stalks) like the ones you find in racing cars.

One of the most surprising aspects about the S’s interior is how much storage space there is. Despite being an executive saloon, the boot has 744 litres extending to 1,645 litres when the rear seats are down (plus a cubby under the front bonnet).  For perspective, this is a bigger boot space than the Mercedes E-class estate’s 640 litres!

Pros

• Fastest EV on the road
• Exceptional range
• Acres of interior space

Cons

• Mega expensive
• Minimalist interior may not be to everyone’s taste

Tesla Model 3

The second of Tesla’s luxury electric cars is its more affordable Model 3. This futuristic fastback is so popular that it was not only the best-selling EV in Europe in September, but the best-selling car overall, beating established petrol and diesel models including the Renault Clio and Dacia Sandero.

Safety is the most important part of the 3’s design. Its low centre of gravity, rigid structure made of aluminium and steel, combined with impact-absorbing rails makes it difficult to beat in this department.

Inside, the 3 can comfortably fit five adults and comes with a panoramic glass roof, vegan upholstery and has plenty of load-lugging ability.

Like with other models, pretty much everything is controlled through the 15.6” infotainment screen. However, this time, even metrics usually displayed on a dashboard in front of the steering wheel are found in the infotainment panel which does cause some controversy.

As with the S, the screen runs apps such as Netflix, Hulu, video games and Spotify – all great for killing time when waiting for the battery to charge.

The Model 3 comes in three variants. Standard Range Plus, Long Range and Performance. Few petrol cars can match Tesla’s Performance model on acceleration. This takes just 3.1 seconds to hit 60mph from zero. That’s on a par with a Porsche 911 GT3!

Tesla’s Long Range model can cover a very impressive 360 WLTP miles between charges. All Tesla drivers get the added benefit of having access to its Supercharger network.

Find one of Tesla’s 250kW V3 Superchargers and you can charge a Long Range or Performance model to 80% in 20 minutes. That’s a cup of coffee and a quick read of the newspaper.

Pros

• Very safe
• One of the quickest EVs around
• Incredible range (as ever!)

Cons

• Doesn’t have a dashboard display
• Sparse interior won’t be to everyone’s liking

At elmo, we have a number of Tesla Model 3’s available on our all-inclusive subscription. Find out more here.

Polestar 2

Polestar was originally a Swedish racing team, which then became a standalone electric performance brand in 2017.

The Polestar 2 is the luxury car makers first all-electric vehicle and boy does it not disappoint.

Defined as a “family fastback”, this has to be one of the most attractive EVs out there. Its Thor’s hammer LED headlights, panoramic glass roof, 19” Alloy wheels and frameless wing mirrors are bold yet understated.

And Polestar have not held back on the tech either. All the 2 needs to start its engine is the detection of your body weight, so just sit down in the driver’s seat and off you go.

Most of the controls are managed via an 11” panel powered by Android Auto. This has a Google infotainment system built-in (the first car ever to have it) so you get access to a suite of Google’s products such as Google Maps and Google Play Store.

There is also an option to personalise your Polestar 2 model with a choice of 3 Packs (Pilot, Plus and Performance) with the Performance Pack being the most expensive extra, bundling in features like Brembo front brakes and 20” wheels.

The Polestar 2 is available in three models (Standard Range Single, Long-Range Single Motor and Long Range Dual Motor).  The Long Range Single has a 336-mile range whilst the Long Range DM has the quickest acceleration hitting 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds. Both long range models can be charged from 0-80% in around 35 minutes using a 150kW rapid charger.

Pros

• Excellent value
• Quality tech with Google designed infotainment system
• Bold Scandinavian looks

Cons

• Tesla Model 3 is a similar price but has marginally better range
• Optional Performance Pack is better suited to real car enthusiasts

At elmo, we have a number of Polestar 2’s available on our all-inclusive subscription. Find out more here.

Porsche Taycan

The Porsche Taycan is a very popular high-end EV. So popular in fact that it even outsold Porsche’s legendary petrol-powered 911 in October 2021. These sales figures are all the more impressive considering the Porsche Taycan only came out in 2020 whereas the famous 911 has been around since 1964.

The Taycan seems to be in a constant tussle with the Tesla Model S over which is the fastest – a battle the S is currently winning – though there is still lots for the Taycan to brag about.

As Porsche’s first fully electric sports car, the 4-seater sedan (with an option to add a fifth seat) has the lowest centre of gravity of any German car. This results in an incredibly smooth and stable ride, even when you are accelerating in its fastest Turbo S version that does 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds.

Besides the Turbo S, there are three other versions available.  These are the Taycan, Taycan 4S and Taycan Turbo. Those looking to cover longer distances can get the Taycan version with the Performance Battery Plus, which has a 301 WLTP range (comparatively shorter than the Model S).

In terms of charging, the Taycan’s 270kW rapid charging capacity can recuperate 62 miles of range in around 6 minutes.

The Taycan’s interior comes in a range of rich materials and colour schemes. It is also laden with tech, including two central touchscreens for the infotainment (supporting Apple Car Play and Android Auto), massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel and four-zone climate control.

One neat update the Taycan has enjoyed recently is that it can now be parked remotely via a smartphone, so nobody needs to be behind the wheel. No more contortionist efforts when you’ve parked a bit too tightly to those white lines!

Pros

• Excellent feel and handling
• Despite its supercar status it has great practicality with rear doors, plenty of legroom and a hatchback boot
• Rapid charging speeds

Cons

• Top of the range model is more expensive than Tesla’s Model S and not as fast
• Shorter range than Tesla’s Model S

Mercedes EQS

Last, but by no means least, we are taking a look at Mercedes-Benz’s (recently launched) first all-electric 5-metre sedan – the EQS.

Effectively designed as an all-electric take on the Mercedes S-Class, the EQS is a fastback featuring a single bow spanning the entire vehicle, a black panel radiator grille and flush door handles.

Jump inside and you are surrounded by leather and wood. Customers can choose from eight different colour combinations and there are 190 customisable LEDs spread around the cabin to play with.

The EQS’s headline piece of tech is the new jaw-dropping “Hyperscreen”. Built on AI and stretching almost the entire width of the cabin, the 56” curved screen is one of the most futuristic designs we’ve seen. The display and operating system learn and adapt completely to its user, making personalised suggestions for numerous infotainment, comfort and vehicle functions.

Some other standout features include its Nappa leather upholstery, the 10 different massage programs to help you relax, and an Air Balancing system that combines air purification tech with the ability to introduce subtle fragrances directly into the climate control system.

Finally, if you were wondering which EV of our selection has the best range, well this is it.

The EQS 450+ AMG Line model has a huge 107.8kWh battery housed in the floor between the axles that can get you a staggering 484 miles. The top speed is limited to 130mph but that’s not what this car is really about.

Pros

• Best range on the market
• Unmatched infotainment screen with AI built in
• Great value

Cons

• The standout Hyperscreen does not come as standard but as an expensive optional extra

Summary

So, there you have it, our forecasted top luxury EVs for 2022. At elmo, we’re always expanding the range of electric cars we have available on our all-inclusive, monthly subscriptions.

We don’t have all of these available yet, but we do offer the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 in a number of options…

So, if you’re interested in making the switch to an electric car, try our Suitability Tool to find out if it’s right for your lifestyle and then try one on subscription via our electric cars page.