There is a growing number of electric three-row SUVs vying to capture customers’ dollars in the premium market. It’s not just the Tesla Model X anymore, and its notoriously problematic Falcon wing doors, which has been on sale now for more than 10 years.
Choices in any category are good, and electric powertrains are particularly well-suited to luxury vehicles because they’re smooth, powerful and quiet.
The poorly received Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, which is set to be discontinued, was the brand’s take on three-row luxury with a massive dashboard-wide screen and rich interior trappings. The range, performance and driving experience, however, left a lot to be desired. Its price tag was also way too high, nearing $200,000 for an upper-level trim.
Volvo recently released the EX90, an electric take on the XC90 SUV that’s been a staple in the Volvo lineup for more than 20 years. Boutique EV maker Rivian has the innovative R1S and Cadillac has two: the electric version of the Escalade and the smaller Vistiq.
Then we have mainstream automakers such as Hyundai with the Ioniq 9 and Kia with the EV9, two different takes on the same platform, and both blur the line between premium and mainstream with a higher price than you may expect to pay for a Hyundai but a lower price than anything else in the category.
If you’re looking for a luxury three-row SUV with electric propulsion, these are the option we recommend.
Lucid Gravity
The sportiest mode offer 828 horsepower and 909 lb-ft of torque.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
Part SUV, part Minivan, the Gravity is Lucid’s take on the family vehicle with seating for up to seven, depending on its configuration. The Gravity has been designed with the pinnacle of EV technology: an industry-first 926-volt electrical system that enables ultra-fast charging speeds up to 400 kilowatts, powerful dual electric motors and class-leading aerodynamics.
Like the Air sedan, the Gravity is a luxury vehicle with a focus on premium features and performance. The base model has more than 500 horsepower and the top trim has a mind-boggling 828. Up to 724 kilometres of range is possible with the bigger battery, while the base model gets a still respectable 542.
The thin and long steering wheel stalk shifter on the Lucid Gravity.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The Gravity looks a lot like a minivan with its cab-forward design to maximize interior space. The only thing that’s missing is a pair of sliding doors. Clever packaging means the Gravity’s third row is comfortable enough for adults, even those who are six feet.
Performance is excellent, with handling that’s much better than you’d expect and enough power in the base model to rocket to 100 kilometres an hour in 4.2 seconds. Pricing reflects all this, starting at $113,500. Tack on another $4,000 if you want the third-row seats.
The Gravity would make an excellent family vehicle, for families with that kind of money. If you want to get almost everything the Lucid offers for less money but minus the prestige, there are other options.
Kia EV9 GT
The GT model of the Kia EV9 has lime green brake calipers that peep out through special 21-inch wheels.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The Kia EV9 is already an excellent three-row electric SUV with a starting price of $60,000 and a spacious third row that doesn’t cost extra. The lowest priced EV9 has rear-wheel drive while the lowest priced all-wheel-drive option is $5,000 more. And now there’s a new GT model in Canada that’s not available in the U.S.
It comes with a whole lot of extra performance features, including heavily bolstered sport seats, a GT performance drive mode, suede inserts on the dash and doors and lime green brake calipers that peep out through special 21-inch wheels wrapped in sticky summer tires. Dual electric motors produce 502 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque, enough to rocket this big family vehicle to 100 kilometres an hour in 4.6 seconds, and it still gets more than 500 kilometres of range from a 99.8-kilowatt-hour battery. Even better charging speeds are especially rapid, thanks to its 800-volt electrical system.
The front seat and dash of the EV9. The GT model has some additional green touches.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The third row of the EV9.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
It drives nicely, too, with precise steering and excellent body control aided by new electronic dampers that can detect things like speed bumps and adjust automatically. Priced at $87,545, the GT model is $30,000 less than the Gravity, and it certainly doesn’t feel like it’s $30,000 cheaper. Hyundai will sell you a version of its Ioniq 9 called the Ultimate Caligraphy, which also costs more than $80,000 and has an even nicer interior than the Kia. The base rear-drive Ioniq 9 is $20,000 less, starting at $62,988, while the cheapest all-wheel-drive version is $67,988.
For what Kia’s charging, the EV9 GT is well worth considering if you are looking for space and performance.
Cadillac Vistiq
The Vistiq is smaller than the Escalade, but is the only other three-row SUV in Cadillac's lineup.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
If you can’t get over spending nearly $90,000 for something with a Kia badge on the hood, Cadillac has a three-row that comes with a lot more brand prestige and recognition. And priced at just over $96,000, it sneaks by the luxury tax.
The Vistiq is the latest SUV in Cadillac’s growing portfolio of EVs and is another excellent option in this segment. It’s also cheaper than a base Gravity, makes 615 horsepower from dual electric motors and seats up to seven. The third row is spacious enough for adults and is included.
The Vistiq is beautifully trimmed inside with a range of colour and material combinations to pick from. The Google-based infotainment system is responsive and as easy to use as your phone; there’s an amazing 23-speaker audio system and an optional augmented reality head-up display.
Active dampers and road noise cancellation make for a quiet interior even at highway speeds and the ride remains supple on bumpy and uneven surfaces.
You can feel the deep power reserves when prodding the accelerator pedal and “velocity max” coaxes all the power out of the battery to sprint to 100 kilometres an hour in less than four seconds. Higher trims come with an air suspension system, but the base kit is more than good enough.
A screen dedicated to climate and seat settings near the cup holders replaces the Lyriq’s strip of buttons.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
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