We’re five months into 2024 and witnessing automakers refine and refresh their electric models to offer more range and performance in Q2

There are no new EV models coming to market in Canada in Q2 2024.

Instead, there are several updated models with significant changes that offer more performance, range and features compared to years gone by.

The theme this quarter from the German-based Volkswagen and Mercedes and American legacy OEM, Ford, is maximizing the power in an all-electric power train. Meanwhile South Korean automaker, Hyundai, is bringing speed, plus more tech bells and whistles.

With an industry experiencing the ebbs and flows of growing pains here are the newest electric vehicle models available at Canadian dealerships in Q2 2024.

2024 Mercedes EQB 300

If you fell for the practical looks and upscale trimmings of the Mercedes-Benz EQB but wanted it in a more capable all-wheel-drive format, your patience has paid off.

The dual-motor EQB 300 4MATIC model is expected to hit showrooms by June, featuring more power but slightly less range compared to the front-wheel-drive EQB 250 model that was already available.

The two-motor setup in the EQB 300 4MATIC delivers 225 horsepower and 288 lb-ft of torque (compared to 188 hp and 284 lb-ft in the EQB 250) and is paired with the same 70.5 kWh battery as the front-wheel-drive model. This new powertrain is rated for 340 kilometres of range, which is 19 km less than the EQB 250.

It will take $64,990 to get your hands on a 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4MATIC, while the Exclusive trim is an extra $2,500.

2024 Mustang Mach-E

The 2024 Ford Mustang is rolling out to dealerships with a few updates this year including an all-new off-road performance trim called the Rally.

The most significant update is that every 2024 Mustang Mach-E gets a different rear motor compared to earlier models. This new motor is lighter and has more torque, bumping up that figure from 317 lb-ft to 387 lb-ft in rear-drive models, while all-wheel-drive models get 500 lb-ft, 600 lb-ft in the GT trims and up to 700 lb-ft of torque on Rally and GT models with the Performance Upgrade.

That change helps extend the driving range anywhere between 5 to 15 km depending on the trim, with the rear-wheel-drive Extended Range model capable of hitting 515 km on a full battery (compared to 500 before).

The Mach-E Rally, meanwhile, is Ford’s nod to adventurous EV shoppers who want to continue their journey beyond the pavement. This model takes the basics of the performance-oriented GT model (meaning 480 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque with a 91 kWh battery) but uses all-terrain tires and features a one-inch lift kit for better ground clearance. With 426 km of range, this new trim has a bit less range than the 451 km of the GT.

The 2024 Mustang Mach-E starts at $57,690 for the RWD Select model and tops out at $77,690 for the Rally AWD model.

2024 Volkswagen ID.4

Ford isn’t the only automaker refining its electric offerings. Volkswagen has been hard at work tweaking the 2024 ID.4 with more power and range compared to previous models.

Rear-wheel-drive ID.4 Pro and Pro S models with the 82 kWh battery receive a new, more efficient motor with 282 hp and 402 lb-ft of torque. That’s an increase of 81 horsepower over last year’s model, while the AWD models have 335 hp, which is 40 more than before.

These upgrades allow the ID.4 Pro and Pro S to travel a bit further on a full charge, offering a maximum of 468 km of range for RWD models while the AWD Pro and Pro S models deliver 423 km of range (compared to 443 and 410 km in 2023 models.) The RWD versions of the 2024 ID.4 and ID.4 S deliver just 332 km, which is 4 km less than before.

You can get into the government rebate-eligible ID.4 for just $50,595 for 62 kWh models while 82 kWh models start at $55,095.

2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N

Canadian EV shoppers with a need for speed can get their fix from their local Hyundai dealer, as the hot new IONIQ 5 N is now available. With 601 horsepower from its two electric motors, capable of sprinting from 0-100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds, the IONIQ 5 N is the fastest vehicle in the Korean automaker’s lineup. It’s not just a pair of high-output motors that gives the IONIQ 5 N its raison d’etre, as the electric vehicle has a few neat features that up the engagement level of the EV.

For example, the driver-selectable N e-shift and N Active Sound+ provide feedback by imitating a gas powertrain with shifting feel, rev-matched downshifts and even a rev limiter. These features help the IONIQ 5 N feel more like the other N-branded Hyundai? vehicles that left such a positive impression on critics and customers.

However, this speedy EV does have some drawbacks. The IONIQ 5 N features 356 km of range, a far cry from the 488 km of range offered by the Long Range version of the IONIQ 5, and less even than the 410 km offered by the Long Range AWD model.

With a starting price of $80,149, the IONIQ 5 N carries a $20,000 price premium over the mainstream-oriented models.