Best AWD Electric Vehicles of 2026 | New All-Wheel-Drive EVs | CarBuzzWith many automakers planning to ditch combustion engines entirely in the future, EVs are becoming a more common sight around the USA. And while most mainstream ICE cars come with front-wheel drive as standard, AWD electric vehicles are hardly rare. This has to do with how all-wheel drive actually works in an electric vehicle. Generally speaking, as soon as there are two or more motors, AWD is almost assured since that means at least one motor for the front axle and one for the rear. This improves not only handling but also performance and versatility. So, if you’re in the market for one, here is a list of the best all-wheel-drive electric cars of 2026.Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available. Rivian R1S SUV The best all-wheel-drive electric car on our list, with a BuzzScore of 9.0 out of 10, is the Rivian R1S SUV. The R1S isn't just the best on this list, either — it's one of the most well-rounded models on sale today. Buyers can use it as a traditional family SUV, or they can outperform rivals in extracurricular activities like off-roading, towing, even drag racing with how much power it puts on the ground. All four trim levels come with standard all-wheel drive. They start with the 533-horsepower Dual Standard trim for $76,990, and stop at the 1,025-horsepower Quad variant for $121,990 before destination and options."No SUV of this size has any right to handle like the R1S, with tight steering and excellent body control. While the ride is greatly improved, there is noticeable "crashy" noise when the suspension compresses. We had ample opportunity to test the Rivian Autonomy Platform, which enables strong lane-keeping on the highway and will later add Lane Change on Command and Enhanced Highway Assist with hands-free driving."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz Genesis GV60 A luxurious two-row electric AWD EV SUV is the Genesis GV60. This is an excellent choice for buyers who simply need a quiet, comfortable ride around tow. Since Hyundai, Genesis' parent company, has been at the forefront of EV models for some time now, it only makes sense that the GV60 should be this capable. It's a practical SUV that seats up to five people with adequate headroom and legroom, too. There are four trims to choose from, but the base model only has a RWD setup. The next trim in line has standard AWD for $56,025 before destination. "Between a roomy, stylish, comfortable cabin and driving position, a smooth drive train, and nicely tuned suspension with a trace of old-school spring, the Genesis GV60 is a genuinely pleasant vehicle to drive. It takes the sting out of sitting in traffic jams, and Hyundai's stop-start adaptive cruise control is a large part of that. It's particularly quiet if you turn off the fake electric motor noise with not a lot of tire noise making it into the cabin. It's a swift, calm, pleasant car to drive, and Genesis should be congratulated on that."- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz Tesla Model X Plaid The Tesla Model X Plaid is the best AWD EV the automaker currently sells. However, it won't be on sale for much longer — Tesla made the decision to discontinue it, along with the Model S sedan, so they can supposedly turn that factory into a production line for "robots" that may or may not be controlled by humans, and may never come into production to begin with. Nevertheless, buyers can still order a Model X Plaid today. It comes with standard all-wheel drive as a result of its three electric motors. Altogether, they produce 1,020 horsepower. GMC Sierra EV AWD electric vehicles extend into the realm of pickup trucks, and some pretty impressive ones, at that. Our favorite is the GMC Sierra EV, which is more luxurious and just as capable as the Chevy Silverado EV. This GMC offers comforts and luxury that one would expect, since it lands in between Chevrolet and Cadillac in terms of pricing and features. The Sierra EV is available in three trims, including the Elevation for $62,400, and the top trim Denali for $69,700. All trims come with standard all-wheel drive. Power figures range from 605 hp to 760 hp, depending on your trim and battery options."This truck is immensely powerful, but it doesn't squirm on launch like the Silverado did, nor does the front end jump towards the sky like the Hummer EV. The Sierra EV can tow up to 10,000 pounds, which matches the Ford F-150 Lightning, but the GMC's larger battery should help it tow much further distances."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz Hyundai Ioniq 5 The most affordable AWD electric car we'll talk about today is the Hyundai Ioniq 5. We talked about a Hyundai product above, and highlighted how comfortable and luxurious it was; well, this Hyundai isn't quite so luxurious, but it offers great performance and practicality for the price. The automaker starts the Ioniq 5 at just $35,000 for its base model. There are five trims total, and four of them have either standard or available AWD. The only trim with standard AWD is the XRT. However, the cheapest way to get AWD is to choose the SE trim for $37,500, then spend an extra $3,500 for the option."On flawless pavement, the Limited AWD rode smoothly. The standard suspension leans toward comfort. It’s responsive, but it is not especially sporty. There’s some lean in turns, though it’s nothing overly intrusive. The XRT with its higher ride height makes that lean slightly more noticeable, but it’s worth it for the added capability. At the first drive, we had the opportunity to take this out into the dirt and it managed uneven terrain and sloppy sand with ease."- Nicole Wakelin, CarBuzz Ford Mustang Mach-E When it comes to AWD electric cars, Ford has a couple of models up its sleeve. The first and most impressive of which is the Mustang Mach-E. By now, we hope most of you have gotten over the fact that it's "not a real Mustang," because, names aside, the Mach-E outsold the gas-powered Mustang 2 to 1. This Ford EV is available in four trims that start with the Select for $37,795, and end with the Rally for $57,690 before destination. All trims have either optional or standard AWD. The least expensive way to get power to both axles is in the base model, then select the $3,000 option."...the Mustang Mach-E remains one of the more entertaining EVs at its price point thanks to eager steering and a well-tuned chassis. We wish Ford would have expanded the availability of its MagneRide Dampening system, but it's still limited to the GT. MagneRide improves ride comfort while also limiting body roll, two benefits we'd love to see across the range with a greater emphasis placed on the former."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz Lucid Air Sapphire If you can stomach its enormous price tag, then the Lucid Air Sappire is the best electric AWD on this list. On the inside, the Air Sappire reaches Maybach levels of luxury, which is to be expected when you consider the Sapphire trim's starting price of $249,000. This is truly one of the best electric AWD vehicles on the market. It's powered by three motors that make a combined 1,234 horsepower, (giving it standard all-wheel drive) it can drive 427 miles on a single charge, and it can launch from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.89 seconds — beating the Tesla Model S Plaid. Porsche Taycan Turbo We may have just talked about how quick the Air Sapphire is, but for a slightly less expensive - and more visceral - experience, the Porsche Taycan Turbo is here to deliver. While it's lower trim levels can be calm, quiet, and relaxing, the Turbo model is more exciting. This model comes with standard all-wheel drive from two electric motors that make a combined 697 horsepower regularly, or up to 871 hp when you activate Overboost mode. Selecting Overboost when using launch control allows the Taycan Turbo to sprint to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. BMW iX The last luxury EV with all-wheel drive that we'll highlight in this list is the BMW iX. It's about the same size as the gas-powered X5, which also comes with a few AWD versions. However, this all-electric BMW rivals other luxury EVs, like the Audi SQ8 E-Tron and the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV. There are three iX trims to choose from, and all of them come with standard AWD. The most basic version is still fairly luxurious, as it should be with a starting price of $75,150. That trim, the xDrive45, has 402 horsepower. Those of you who want more power and better handling can upgrade to the M70i, which costs at least $111,500 and makes 650 hp."We genuinely wonder why anyone would think they need more power from a higher trim, unless they're just greedy or are willing to take it to a racetrack sometime. Of course, upgrading to the xDrive 60 model gets you a lot more range - more than 50 miles more - so there's other benefits to paying more for that trim, as well. But the case for the M70 is tough in our eyes, as it's more expensive by a pretty wide margin, delivers the lowest range return, and we highly doubt most buyers will ever use the full power available to them."- Justin Westbrook, CarBuzz Ford F-150 Lightning We talked about the GMC Sierra EV above, and mentioned how it has some impressive rivals. With that in mind, the Ford F-150 Lightning is a great option for those interested in electric power. After a relatively short production run, this EV pickup is being discontinued. However, the 2026 model year should still be available for orders. Excluding the Pro model that's reserved for fleet orders, the base model for everybody else is the STX, which starts at $63,345. This version will have standard all-wheel drive with two motors that produce 536 combined horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque."This thing puts any truck that doesn't have a Hummer or Rivian badge to shame. No gas-powered truck gets off the line like the Lightning, including supercharged behemoths like the Raptor R and Ram TRX. That instant torque hits like a gut punch, and there's no transmission shifts to delay the acceleration."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz Characteristics Of AWD Electric Vehicles All-wheel-drive electric vehicles are defined by more than just their drivetrains. Here are some of the qualities you can expect from the best AWD EV models: Electric power: Obviously, EVs are set apart by their all-electric powertrains. There is no combustion or gas involved, which means switching out fuel bills for the cost of recharging - but the trade-off is no emissions. Versatility: One of the main reasons anyone buys an AWD car, SUV or otherwise, is to handle various road conditions. The extra traction is not just good for light off-roading if you have the ground clearance, but also for overcoming wet or slippery roads caused by rain, snow, or mud. Performance: Though not every all-wheel-drive EV is designed with this in mind, having power sent to all four wheels can increase acceleration. Along with the improved handling, this means an overall enhancement of driveability. Range: A prime factor in a new electric car, even AWD models need to have sufficient all-electric driving range to warrant their purchase. However, weight negatively affects this, and a larger and heavier battery is often needed to supply power to multiple motors rather than just deliver the longest range. Price: Unlike gasoline-powered cars, the addition of all-wheel drive on electric cars doesn’t necessitate an increase in cost. So long as the vehicle inherently comes with more than a single motor, AWD is likely standard. That being said, more electric motors will generally mean a higher asking price; single-motor EVs are usually the cheap option in the lineup. What To Consider When Buying An EV With AWD While electric cars may be the future of the automotive industry, or so we are led to believe, that does not mean they are without faults or drawbacks. Every brand brings something different to the table, but these are the primary strengths and weaknesses of EVs with AWD: Pros Better traction over various surfaces and improved handling through corners Some performance benefits in the dry No fuel bills, just the cost of recharging No emissions Extensive warranties on EV parts Cons High weight affects range and handling More motors increase the price Long charging times Are there any EV or hybrid cars with four-wheel drive? AWD is not the same as 4WD, and in this regard, there aren’t that many 4WD cars with electric assistance - yet. Most EVs are available with AWD, which is achieved by having an electric motor to drive the front wheels and another to drive the rear wheels. How does EV AWD work? In ICE cars with AWD, the engine sends power through differentials in the front, rear, and center to drive all four wheels of the car. In AWD EVs, the electric motors are mounted onto the axles, which supply power directly to the wheels by individual transmissions.Sources: Rivian, Genesis, Tesla, GMC, Hyundai, Ford, Lucid, Porsche, BMW
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