The best electric cars for cyclists and adventurers on review
Electric cars are more popular than ever– and you’ll find them in just as many garages as conversations. But which electric car is the perfect choice for your next adventure? What really matters when choosing an electric car? And which claims are just bold marketing catchphrases? In this special, we cut through the hype and help you find the optimal electric car for your needs.
The best electric cars for your next adventure
You know the ultimate surf spot, a popular remote gravel track, an epic singletrack, or the hottest place to be in the city? The real question is: how do you get there in style with all your gear? With an electric car, of course! But a true adventure doesn’t start when you clip into the pedals –it begins the moment you hit the road. The best combination of bike and electric cars opens up endless possibilities.
With our recommendations for cyclists, adventure, and urban explorers, you’ll get a clear idea of which electric cars suit your lifestyle. Because what’s more frustrating than planning an epic weekend, only to find your ride isn’t up to the job?
Let’s be honest:who takes a luxury saloon off-road? Thankfully, the EV market now offers the right vehicle for every need and driving style. You still think that electric cars are just for city dwellers? You’re so wrong! Believe you can’t get far with an electric car in the countryside? Think again!
Outdoor enthusiasts should ask themselves a few important questions: can you fit a bike inside the car? Is there a tow hitch for a bike rack? And can you charge your ebike on the go? We’ve tested some exciting models and debunked a few stubborn myths along the way!
What sets the best electric cars for cyclists and adventurers apart from the competition?
A good EV should never be a compromise– it needs to be a lot more than just an emission-free vehicle. It should get you and your gear to your adventures safely, comfortably, and sustainably. But what really makes the best electric car for epic days on and off the trails?
Too often, the conversation revolves around range and charging speed. But for outdoor enthusiasts, other factors matter just as much in everyday life. Here are the key points we focus on in this tests:
- Space for bikes and gear: your equipment needs to be stored safely– whether inside the car or securely mounted on it.
- All-wheel drive and off-road capability: remote trails and unpaved roads often require AWD and solid traction.
- Range and charging infrastructure: if you’re heading deep into the mountains, the last thing you want is a dead battery. A long range and fast charging are key– but the charging curve matters more than peak speed and battery size.
- Sustainability and environmental impact: we all want to enjoy the trails while preserving them– zero-emission driving is a plus. But let’s be honest: EVs alone won’t save the planet. Real change needs more innovative mobility solutions beyond just private cars.
Volvo EX30 Cross Country
A small car for big adventures? Is the new Volvo EX30 Cross Country a thoroughbred outdoor vehicle or just just clever marketing on four wheels? And how does it handle the harsh Swedish winter? We put the new Volvo EX30 Cross Country to the test during its world premiere in Lapland – driving through snow, ice, and under the Northern Lights– fully loaded with outdoor gear.
World premiere: the new Volvo EX30 Cross Country – test, drifting, and fika in the Swedish winter
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
It’s tough at the top! Or in other words, avant-garde, comfortable, luxurious, and refined? We spent two weeks in the Dolomites putting Mercedes’ flagship e-SUV through the wringer to find out whether the 170k EQS SUV can turn a dull driving routine into an exciting travel experience with its massage seats, state-of-the-art infotainment, and the fragrance system. But are the fancy features really enough, and what is the car really capable of?
BYD SEAL
Since Euro 2024, the BYD name should be familiar to most of us. The Chinese automotive colossus is rapidly charging towards the top of the world’s largest electric car manufacturers. The BYD SEAL is expected to be a key player in this success. We took the sporty electric saloon for a spin to find out whether BYD is more than just marketing hype.
EV News BYD SEAL review – Is BYD’s sporty EV pitch perfect?
ŠKODA ENYAQ iV Sportline
With a bright red ŠKODA ENYAQ and enthusiasm in our hearts, we set off for the City of Love. How will this popular electric SUV fare in the bustling urban jungle of Paris, and how will it cope with the long trip there? Is the big city its territory, and will it be love at first drive? Or will the velvet red lacquer of love fade quickly?
ŠKODA ENYAQ iV Sportline city test – How does the eSUV perform in the City of Love?
Volvo EX30
Volvo’s new entry-level model, the EX30, promises to hit the mark like Thor’s Hammer. We travelled to Hamburg to test the Volvo EX30 in the German city’s typical wet weather, navigating the urban jungle, and running errands. Who is it for? Who should steer clear? And can the compact eSUV juggle its premium aspirations with affordability?
Test debut: Volvo EX30 – What is the aggressively priced, long-range, compact eSUV capable of?
Hyundai IONIQ 5
In purely visual terms, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 makes quite an impression – which was almost unthinkable for a Korean car just a few years ago. But underneath the eye-catching Pixel design, the electric CUV comes across as somewhat boring, and we don’t just mean the colour. In our test, the heir to the original IONIQ proved to be a real everyday car. But don’t just take our word for it – read on to find out more.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 in our electric car review – Stylish but boring everyday spaceship
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT
An icon of the ’60s, the Mustang stands for freedom and adventure – and perhaps the occasional breakdown on Route 66. The Mustang Mach-E GT is Ford’s attempt to bring the essence of the muscle car era into the electric age. Will it triumph, or will we be left behind like a tame pony rather than a spirited stallion?
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT in our electric car review – Spirited stallion or tamed pony?
BYD HAN
With the electric HAN, BYD is bringing a rolling executive chair to the streets of Europe. Both the specifications and craftsmanship promise a supreme luxury class feel. Should German brands be wary, or does BYD’s appeal fall short on closer inspection? We put the big electric saloon through its paces to see how it performs.
BYD HAN Electric Car in Review – Emperor of the Road or Unfinished Battleship?
Smart #1
The original Smart was small, agile, …smart. And at first, a two-seater. As such, the all-new Smart #1 breaks with tradition in terms of both looks and size. The same applies to pricing. Read on to find out whether the all-electric compact SUV from the German-Chinese joint venture remains smart, nonetheless.
The Smart #1 in our electric car review – No longer small, but does it still pack a punch?
Tesla Model 3
At the launch of the Tesla Model 3 in March 2016, Elon Musk reportedly raised $ 135,000,000 through pre-orders. Almost three years later, the first Model 3 rolled onto German roads. While the pre-orders didn’t all follow through, the Model 3 is a success story, nonetheless. We found out whether its popularity is deserved.
VW ID.BUZZ
The new VW ID.BUZZ was hotly anticipated by camping fans, VW bus fanatics, parents, and business people. It’s a charming and futuristic homage to the T1, but can it deliver technically? We drove it 4,000 km across Europe to find out where it excels and where it doesn’t!
VW ID.BUZZ in review – A pure style homage or a bus with utility?
VW ID.3 Pro 2022
Apart from a few exceptions, VW Cars aren’t exactly known for evoking great emotions – is the VW ID.3 Pro set to reach the cult status of the likes of the Golf R32 or Passat R36? How smart is the electronic VW and why are you more likely to take it to McDonald’s than any of the other electric cars on test? We put the € 45,065 VW ID.3 Pro to the test on our everyday routines from the highways to the nursery, finding out what it is and isn’t capable of.
VW ID.3 Pro 2022 in review – Boring car for the masses or a smart everyday hero?
Polestar 2 2022
At first sight, the Polestar 2 makes an elegant and premium impression. However, can it deliver on this promise upon closer inspection? We tested the € 52,725 Polestar 2 with its single motor and 69 kWh battery to find out how much of IKEA is hidden in the high-end Scandinavian EV?
Polestar 2 2022 in review – Holy Swede!
KIA EV6 GT-Line 2022
At the beginning of 2021, KIA have reinvented themselves with a fresh new logo, look, and confident design language. The new KIA EV6 is the flagship model of the new fleet. But the EV6 doesn’t just aim to set the bar regarding looks, combining charging times of a Porsche Taycan, the price of a VW Passat, and a host of smart features. We put the KIA EV6 GT-Line to the test to see how it performs.
KIA EV6 GT-Line 2022 in review – High-performance specs = high-performance handling?
Honda e 2022
Love at first sight? The Honda is so retro and charming, you might be fooled into thinking that it comes straight from the Art Deco era. But how smart is the Japanese car really, and why would you rather hang out in it than in your own lounge? We put the € 41,200 EV through its paces to find out what it’s capable of.
Honda e 2022 in review – The most charming mobile lounge for the urban jungle?
Opel Rocks-e Tekno 2022
Test vehicle price € 8,790 | Manufacturer’s Website
With the Rocks-e, Opel present an EV that’s classified as a light quadricycle in the EU. Can it still pass as a car? Definitely not, even though it might look like one at first glance. We put the little cube to the test to find out whether it’s a viable alternative to your moped, cargo bike or public transport.
Opel Rocks-e Tekno 2022 in review – The car that’s not a car
Fiat 500e 3+1 ICON 2022
Think dolce vita, gelato and Ferrari, and your mind immediately takes you to Italy – the same goes for the Fiat 500. With the new Fiat 500e 3+1, the Italian car manufacturer hasn’t just brought a legend back to life but pulled out all the stops to reinterpret it. Read our review to find out how it fares and why the Fiat 500e 3+1 ICON has opera genes!
Fiat 500e 3+1 ICON 2022 in review – Dolce vita for the masses?
Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo 2021
A new driving experience, possibly benchmark performance and an almost schizophrenic versatility. With their latest electric car, Porsche aim to push boundaries and inspire a (sub)urban target group with an affinity for the outdoors. Can the Germans deliver on their promise? After testing the € 190,000 Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo in everyday life, on the racetrack and off-road, we can offer some future-oriented insights and tell you whether society is ready for electric cars.
Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo 2021 in review – Hype or future?
More EV Reviews: now and in the future
The EV market is evolving at a vertiginous pace. By now, most manufacturers have electric models in their range – spanning every vehicle class. And it’s no surprise: political pressure and a growing environmental awareness are pushing the car industry to rethink its approach.
Still, some brands remain hesitant about full electrification. While some manufacturers are going all-in on EVs, others continue to focus on hybrid technology. But even here, we expect exciting developments in the future– both for city life and outdoor adventures.
In our EV section, you’ll find a wide range of reviews and reports on the latest models and innovative mobility concepts. We don’t just focus on mainstream cars or high-performance EVs, but also explore unique approaches that are redefining urban mobility.
From compact city runners to stylish electric lifestyle models, the world of EVs remains diverse, full of surprises, and firmly focused on the future.
EVs need to deliver
The days when EVs got a free pass just for being new and innovative are long gone. Today, anyone buying a car expects the full package– and without any compromises. This means that an electric car has to impress across the board: design, build quality, comfort, driving dynamics, and practicality all have to be at the highest level. For cyclists and adventurers, the bar is even higher. The good news? There’s now an EV to suit every need and lifestyle!
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Words: Patrick Gruber, Benedikt Schmidt, Jan Fock Photos: Divers
