We stand on the cusp of a radical revolution in how cars are styled. Most new electric cars employ a flat platform that incorporates the power and drive components; this represents a fundamental rethink of the architecture of automotive engineering. Styling departments can therefore really push the envelope. Apart from the dictates of crash safety and ensuring there’s somewhere for humans to sit, there really shouldn’t be any limit to how dramatic and different car design could be.
In this context, even the latest EVs are, frankly, a little disappointing. They generally conform to conventional thinking and don’t depart enough from what’s gone before. However, this might be due more to perceived acceptance by motorists and consumers rather than designers being unable to rip up the rulebook.
Nonetheless, we are seeing some tremendously spectacular design trends starting to emerge, and there are some genuinely beautiful EVs you can already buy today. Here’s our top three in each of the major segments.
City Cars
Honda E
The Honda E is just adorable, harking back to the earliest days of Honda venturing into car production. It blends retro charm and futuristic design, a trend that is likely to gather pace as manufacturers play on the strong lure of nostalgia to convert car buyers to electric. Its compact form is characterised by clean lines and a friendly ‘face’. The circular headlamps and the sleek, black-panel grille give it a classic appeal.
Fiat 500e
Another car that does retro extremely well, the Fiat 500e retains the beloved design of its petrol predecessor. It almost exaggerates the features of the original with the clamshell bonnet and huge headlights, a loveable caricature of a classic icon.
Ora Funky Cat
Living up to its name, the Ora Funky Cat brings a playful and vibrant design to the city car segment. Its bold, rounded contours and unique colour options make it instantly recognisable.
Family Cars
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Although the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is often touted as a homage to the Pony hatchback from the 1980s, its angular lines, multi-planed flanks, and pixelated lights are the best of retro-futurism. In the metal, it’s bigger to behold than you might think and a genuine head-turner.
Volkswagen ID.Buzz
With the disclaimer that Volkswagen classes its ID.Buzz as a commercial vehicle, it nonetheless is the perfect people carrier for the electric age, and once again draws heavily on VW’s heritage by referencing the legendary Type 2 Bus in its design. Its two-tone colour scheme, rounded edges, and friendly appearance make it a standout in the family car segment.
GWM Ora Ballet Cat
Another one that looks back to jump forward, this Chinese reinterpretation of an upsized best-selling original Volkswagen Beetle is hard not to warm to. It’s what VW should have built, but didn’t.
Luxury Cars
Rolls-Royce Spectre
Imagine what the Rolls-Royce of the future might look like… actually, you don’t need to, as it’s already here. The Spectre is the epitome of luxury in the EV world. Its majestic design, characterised by the signature Rolls-Royce grille and elegant lines, speaks of opulence and exclusivity. The Spectre seamlessly integrates classic design elements with modern electric vehicle technology.
Porsche Taycan
The Porsche Taycan remains a template for luxury EVs with its clean, flowing lines. And yet its dynamic silhouette is unmistakably Porsche. Still stunning to behold.
BYD Seal
The BYD Seal serves up a sleek, aerodynamic design that’s both elegant and efficient. Its smooth profile and refined details, like the integrated light bar, make it a visually striking vehicle.
SUVs
Lotus Eletre
Talk about challenging… here’s an SUV from a car company known for making lightweight two-door sports cars. However, the clean-sheet approach has worked wonders for the Lotus Eletre, which is somehow bold, sharp, and athletic all at once.
Cadillac Lyriq
The Cadillac Lyriq maintains a traditional silhouette but draws on crisp aesthetics, some extraordinary lighting elements, as well as an imposing front to make it a truly stand-out luxury SUV.
Fisker Ocean
The Fisker Ocean features a tough, evocative SUV stance with 21st-century elements, like the full-length solar roof, making it a real standout.
Trucks
Tesla Cybertruck
When you talk about breaking all the rules with a drastically different design, the polarising Tesla Cybertruck epitomises new frontiers. It looks like it should be driving on Mars, not Earth. Tesla’s first pick-up truly breaks all conventions with its angular, stainless-steel body and armoured glass, making it one of the most distinctive vehicles on the road.
GMC Hummer EV
The aggressive-looking GMC Hummer EV brings the infamous Hummer brand into the electric age. Its bold, imposing design is a nod to its military origins, and as for rule-breaking, the CrabWalk feature means you can drive it sideways.
Rivian R1T
The Rivian R1T has a remarkably clean, sleek, modern design for a truck that offers a mix of ruggedness and luxury. There’s an almost minimalist smartphone aesthetic to it that is sure to appeal.
Sports Cars
Pininfarina Battista
The Pininfarina design house of Italy is known for fabulous designs such as the Ferrari 250 GT series, the Alfa Romeo Spider, and the Maserati GranTurismo, so it shouldn’t really come as a surprise then when it turned its hand to creating its own EV design, it was as beautiful as the Pininfarina Battista supercar. Its fluid lines and sculpted form are the epitome of elegance and excitement.
Lotus Evija
The Lotus Evija is a stunning 2000bhp hypercar with a design that’s as functional as it is beautiful. Its dramatic aerodynamic shape, with distinctive air channels and a striking rear light blade, makes it a visual marvel.
MG Cyberster
This is probably the most exciting new sports car to come our way since the Mazda MX-5 (it’ll go on sale in the second quarter of next year). The MG Cyberster is set to be an accessible and affordable sports car that pays homage to MG’s sports car heritage but features futuristic design, with classic cues, sleek lines, and an interactive grille. Can’t wait!
