- CarWow pushed six electric crossovers to their limits.
- Mat Watson and his team drove EVs from Audi, Porsche, Polestar, Kia, Ford and Tesla until they died.
- The Polestar 4 won on range—but not efficiency.
We here at InsideEVs live for electric vehicle range tests, whether they’re our own evaluations or ones done by other intrepid outlets. And we know you, dear reader, love this stuff as much as we do.
In the real world, practically nobody will actually run their EV down to a 0% state of charge. You’d have to be looking for trouble to do that. But it’s fascinating to learn which models actually live up to their advertised range estimates—and which can drive the farthest when push comes to shove.
Mat Watson, of the CarWow YouTube channel, pushed six electric SUVs to their limits in a recent video, and the results are fascinating. He and his team drove the EVs across the United Kingdom until they wouldn’t go another inch. It’s so rare to pit several cars against one another under identical circumstances—the same weather, same route, same day—making this test a real treat.
Here are the contenders CarWow tested:
- Polestar 4
- Porsche Macan
- Tesla Model Y
- Ford Explorer EV
- Kia EV6
- Audi Q4 E-Tron
Let’s get something out of the way upfront. CarWow is a British channel, so all the vehicles are European-spec. And all the range estimates quoted are according to Europe’s testing standards, which are more generous than the EPA figures we’re used to in the States.
Still, we think this test is enlightening for American buyers, since most of the vehicles are available in the U.S. The Ford Explorer EV—based on the same Volkswagen platform as that brand’s ID.4—is the only one that isn’t. (America’s Explorer is bigger and gas-powered.)
For the range test, the CarWow team charged each SUV up to 100% and set off. They drove at the posted speed limit with the climate control set to 68 degrees, only slowing down to maximize range once the vehicle’s state of charge reached an alarmingly low level. So, basically, they tried to act like a normal driver probably would.
For all the details and a deeper dive on each vehicle, check out CarWow’s 50-minute video. Or keep reading for the results and our take on them. First, check out the final numbers, along with each vehicle’s battery size and range as provided by CarWow. CarWow says it tested the longest-range version of each car, which suggests they’re all the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive variants. So it’s a level playing field on that front.
| Model | Battery Size | Observed Range | Observed Efficiency | Advertised Range (European WLTP cycle) | % of Advertised Range Achieved |
| Polestar 4 | 94 kWh | 333 miles | 3.5 mi/kWh | 372 miles | 90% |
| Porsche Macan | 95 kWh | 318 miles | 3.5 mi/kWh | 386 miles | 82% |
| Tesla Model Y | 75 kWh | 294 miles | 3.8 mi/kWh | 373 miles | 79% |
| Ford Explorer EV | 82 kWh | 291 miles | 3.8 mi/kWh | 374 miles | 78% |
| Kia EV6 | 80 kWh | 280 miles | 3.4 mi/kWh | 347 miles | 81% |
| Audi Q4 E-Tron | 77.4 kWh | 268 miles | 3.5 mi/kWh | 336 miles | 79% |
It’s not a shocker that no vehicle matched its range rating, since the test was done at highway speeds and that sucks more energy than city driving. Plus, few cars will ever hit their WLTP figures because that cycle is so generous. The Polestar 4—a strange Chinese crossover with no rear window—blew away the competition in terms of absolute miles driven and the percentage of its range rating it achieved. A whopping 333 miles is an excellent result, as is delivering 90% of its WLTP range.
The Porsche Macan came in second, driving nearly as far. And the two top spots make perfect sense, given that the Polestar and Porsche pack the largest battery packs at 94 kilowatt-hours and 95 kWh, respectively. Those are some beefy batteries.
Despite being the oldest and arguably stalest of the bunch, the Model Y held its own quite nicely, traveling nearly 300 miles and claiming third. That’s despite having the smallest battery pack at 75 kWh. So, just because Tesla hasn’t updated the Model Y since it came out, don’t count it out; Elon Musk’s company still makes some highly competitive and efficient cars.
Interestingly enough, the Ford Explorer matched the Model Y almost exactly in range and tied it in efficiency. Plus, it looks pretty darn cool. (Hey, Ford, maybe you should bring that thing to America? Think about it.)
Speaking of, what these range tests often underscore is just how absolutely crucial EV efficiency is. Big range numbers are great. But you know what’s even better? Lots of range from a modest battery pack. That’ll save you money on upfront cost, reduce energy costs over the long term and reduce your carbon footprint too.
This SUV test also highlights how much more efficient sedans are, thanks to their lower weights and slipperier shapes. CarWow did a similar test with six sedans earlier this year, and the results were way better pretty much across the board.
The Tesla Model 3, equipped with a 75-kWh pack, went 352 miles and notched an efficiency of 4.7 mi/kWh. The Mercedes-Benz EQE traveled a bladder-busting 357 miles. Of course, this may have had to do with the weather or road conditions on that particular day, but the body style surely has something to do with it too.
What cars do you want us to range-test in the future? Any other tests you want to see? Let us know in the comments below.
Got a tip about the EV world? Contact the author: tim.levin@insideevs.com
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