5. Scout Terra and Traveler EV
After acquiring the Scout name in 2021, Volkswagen wasted no time creating a new line of rugged off-road vehicles. In October 2024, the Terra pickup and Traveler SUV debuted with styling that pays homage to the Scouts produced by International Harvester between 1960 and 1980. Truck lovers will appreciate the body-on-frame construction with solid rear axles and locking differentials. Other goodies include up to 1,000 lb-ft of torque, more than 560 km of range, 35-inch tires, 10,000-pound towing on the Terra (7,000 for Traveler), and 350 kW fast charging. Inside, there are physical knobs and buttons with an emphasis on tactile feel, as well as an intentionally simple touchscreen interface.
4. Kia EV3
After the three-row EV9 SUV raised the benchmark for electric vehicles, the smaller Kia EV3 hopes to repeat that success with a similar bold look. Kia targets 605 kilometres of electric driving range (yet to be verified by official standards) with an 81.4-kWh battery that allows 10 to 80 per cent charging in 31 minutes. Using the same motor as the larger EV6, peak power output is 204 hp and 208 lb-ft of torque, and the sprint from zero to 100 km/h happens in 7.5 seconds. A smaller 58.3-kWh battery will be available for base models, and for now, only front-wheel drive will be available. Canadian pricing has yet to be announced, but the EV3 is likely to be one of the more affordable options for EVs once it hits our shores.
3. Porsche Boxster/Cayman EV
Porsche is going full steam ahead regarding electrification, and the Boxster and Cayman are next in line to drop their internal combustion powertrains. While we still need to get a handle on how the new ones will look, an unveiling is expected in 2025, and both cars will likely resemble the flagship Taycan. Porsche will likely keep low weight, precise steering, and agility as top priorities while keeping prices low enough to keep it an entry-level gateway product. With the loss of gas engines, we’ll also see the end of manual transmissions.
2. Toyota FJ/Compact Cruiser EV
A few years ago, Toyota teased a full lineup of electric concept vehicles to showcase its commitment to electrifying its entire product lineup. One SUV in particular stirred up a ton of buzz – an homage to the modern classic FJ Cruiser. Since then, some of these styling cues have made it onto the Land Cruiser SUV that debuted last year. An electric variant of any kind has yet to be formally announced, but we say it’s likely that a production version of an FJ Cruiser-looking EV is on its way.
1. Tesla Roadster
Expected to go on sale by the end of 2025, the second-generation Tesla Roadster takes the original – out of production since 2012 – to the next level. With all-wheel drive and slightly more fluid styling than the Cybertruck, the Roadster is planned to have a 2.1-second zero-to-100-km/h acceleration time, an 8.8-second quarter-mile time, and a top speed of over 400 km/h. This blistering performance is paired with seating for four and a 1,000-kilometre electric driving range, suggesting you can have your cake and eat it, too. Reservations are now open for Canadians with a $64,000 deposit, which is about the cost of an entire Model Y.
Bonus: Porsche 911 Carrera T
The Porsche 911 Carrera T is the last hurrah on two fronts: First, Porsche is charging forward on electrification, which means the end of internal combustion engines (ICE). Second, for its remaining ICE cars, the popularity of the PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission means the impending end of the row-your-own manual, too. At 1,504 kg (3,316 lb), the 911 Carrera T is the lightest variant in the lineup. It comes with rear-axle steering, T-specific Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), and a unique open-pore laminated walnut shift knob. With 388 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque out of its 3.0L twin-turbo boxer six, the T is made for driving enthusiasts looking for a simpler, more pure experience. It’s also the only non-electrified vehicle on this list.
