Introduction: Most EVs Are Built for the City — These Ones Go the Distance
It’s easy to make an electric car feel great in town. Instant torque, no shifting, whisper-quiet at 30 mph. But highway driving? That’s where the real differences show up.
Some EVs lose range quickly once you’re cruising at 70. Some have noisy cabins, weak HVAC systems, or seats that start aching after two hours. And some — the worst kind — advertise fast-charging speeds but taper hard before 40%.
That’s why, in 2025, if you’re buying a used electric SUV for long-distance travel, you need to look past range estimates and spec sheets. You need to understand how that EV behaves after 60 miles of nonstop freeway, when the wind noise kicks up, the pack warms, and your next charging stop is 112 miles away.
This blog breaks down the best used electric SUVs that still hold their own on the open road — the ones that were built for more than errands.
What Makes an EV Highway-Ready?
Not every electric SUV belongs on the interstate. A good highway EV needs more than just a big battery. It needs to be stable at speed, charge consistently, stay quiet, and support the driver mile after mile.
Here’s what matters most:
Aerodynamics. High-speed driving eats range, and drag increases exponentially. The best EVs for highway travel have sleek shapes and low frontal areas — the difference between 220 miles and 160 at 75 mph.
Thermal control. Sustained speeds and long-range charging stress the pack. Good highway EVs have robust cooling systems and consistent fast-charging performance, even after hours of driving.
Charging curve. Some EVs advertise 200 kW speeds, but only hit them for 90 seconds. Others hold 120–150 kW for a steady 20–30 minutes. The curve matters more than the peak.
Ride quality. A stiff suspension that feels sporty in town can become fatiguing on highway concrete slabs. You want compliance, isolation, and a cabin that stays calm at 75+.
Cabin acoustics. Wind and tire noise ramp up fast. Well-insulated EVs make all the difference when there’s no engine to drown things out.
Driver comfort. Long drives expose everything: seat padding, lumbar support, steering wheel feel, armrest height, HVAC flow. A six-hour trip will tell you more about an EV than a 20-minute test drive ever could.
Now let’s talk about the used electric SUVs that pass the highway test.
Tesla Model Y Long Range (2020–2023)
If you’re doing serious highway miles and want consistent fast charging, no charging network headaches, and real-world 250+ mile range at speed, the Tesla Model Y Long Range remains one of the most dependable options.
Highway efficiency is strong thanks to its low drag coefficient, and the heat pump (added in late 2020) helps stabilize winter range and climate performance. The all-glass roof and tight panel fit help keep the cabin quiet up to about 80 mph, though some wind noise increases above that.
More importantly, the Supercharger network eliminates most of the stress around long trips. You don’t have to think about plug compatibility or whether a charger is working. You just route and drive.
Older Model Ys with 80,000+ miles still retain around 250 miles of real range, and with preconditioning, they still hit 150–180 kW charging after long drives.
Best for: Frequent long-distance drivers who want simplicity, range, and reliability in a familiar, functional package.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD (2022–2023)
Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 isn’t just cool-looking — it’s one of the best high-speed cruisers in the EV world. The ride quality is smooth and stable, the seats are wide and well-padded, and the dual-motor version adds confident traction and straight-line composure.
On the highway, the Ioniq 5 delivers around 230 miles of real range at 75 mph with the climate on, and its 800V charging architecture makes it one of the fastest-charging used EVs you can buy. Even with 50,000+ miles, most hold steady at 170–180 kW for a solid 15–18 minutes.
It also has one of the quietest cabins in its class. Sound insulation is excellent, and the HVAC system doesn’t need to scream to keep up with sun load or airflow.
Best for: Drivers who value interior space, comfort, and rapid charging with no drama.
Kia EV6 Wind AWD (2022–2023)
The EV6 shares its platform with the Ioniq 5, but feels sportier and sits lower, with a slightly tighter suspension and more dynamic steering feel. For highway driving, that means it feels more planted at higher speeds, especially in windy conditions.
With the same fast-charging backbone, you get roughly 225 miles of real highway range and the same excellent 800V performance. The cabin is quiet and modern, though the seats are firmer than the Ioniq 5 and better suited for drivers who prefer a lower, sportier seating position.
In winter, the EV6’s heat pump system (standard on AWD) maintains steady range and quick charging with proper preconditioning.
Best for: Highway commuters who want sportier feel without sacrificing range or ride quality.
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD (2021–2023)
Ford’s Mach-E isn’t the quietest EV at highway speeds, but its long-legged range, excellent seat comfort, and solid ride tuning make it one of the better long-distance EVs available used.
The Extended Range AWD version delivers over 260 miles at moderate highway speeds, and even with 80,000 miles on the odometer, most still hit around 230–240 miles per charge.
The ride is firm but never harsh. The rear seat is usable for adults. And Ford’s software updates have improved charging curve behavior, with newer builds holding 120+ kW for longer sessions at Electrify America sites.
Best for: Ford fans and drivers who want a spacious, long-range EV with real highway legs.
Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro (2022–2023)
Volkswagen doesn’t get as much attention in the EV space, but the ID.4 is one of the better used EVs for long highway drives — especially in the dual-motor AWD Pro trim.
It’s not flashy. It’s not fast. But it’s built to soak up miles quietly and calmly. The seats are soft, the ride is cushy, and the range stays consistent even at 70–75 mph.
With 82 kWh of battery capacity, most ID.4 AWD Pros still offer 220+ miles of highway range and charge at a steady 120 kW, with tapering only in extreme heat or cold. It doesn’t match the Ioniq 5 or Tesla on charging speed, but it’s predictable.
One of the ID.4’s biggest strengths is cabin quietness. At 75 mph, it’s noticeably calmer than the Mach-E and even quieter than some luxury EVs.
Best for: Long drives with comfort as the priority and no need for high-speed thrills.
Rivian R1S Dual Motor (2022+)
This one’s big, heavy, and expensive — but if you find a used one under $55K, it’s worth considering for road warriors.
The R1S is a luxury SUV that happens to be electric. It rides like a tank but steers like a crossover. And on the highway, it feels planted, composed, and utterly stable in bad weather or sidewinds.
Range from the Large Pack is solid — around 270 miles at 70 mph — and dual-motor versions with proper conditioning still pull 150+ kW at most fast chargers. Even after 100,000 miles, Rivian’s thermal control keeps the pack consistent.
The ride is air-sprung, adjustable, and smooth. And the front seats are among the best in the EV space.
Best for: Highway-focused families and road trippers who want comfort, luxury, and serious winter stability.
What Happens to EVs After 100K Miles on the Highway?
This is the part most reviews skip — but your readers want to know. Here’s what changes in high-mileage electric SUVs used for highway driving:
Charging slows slightly. You may lose 10–15% off your peak rate, but good EVs will still charge efficiently with preconditioning.
Range fades, but predictably. A Model Y with 310 miles new may now get 265. An Ioniq 5 with 256 new might be doing 225. Cold weather amplifies the loss, but a good pack keeps it stable.
Ride quality may improve. Suspension bushings settle. Tires get replaced with quieter, softer ones. Older EVs often ride better than new ones.
Battery heaters take longer. In the cold, aged packs need more time to warm before fast charging works efficiently.
But if the battery was well cared for, none of this should stop you from using the car for regular highway travel.
What We Think
Most EVs were built for local use. Grocery runs. Suburban commutes. But if you’re planning to drive long stretches on real highways — in all seasons, with real people and real luggage — you need something that was designed for it.
The best used electric SUVs for highway driving in 2025 are the ones that combine comfort, smart thermal management, predictable charging, and stable high-speed range.
Our picks:
Tesla Model Y Long Range: Supercharger simplicity, proven efficiency, strong at any mileage
Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD: Cushy ride, fast charging, great front seat comfort
Kia EV6 Wind AWD: Sharp at speed, efficient, fun to drive
Ford Mach-E ER AWD: Big range, good ride, lots of value used
VW ID.4 AWD: Quiet, relaxed, built for calm
Rivian R1S: The luxury distance destroyer
If you’re going to be living in the left lane, you need an EV that was built to live there too. These are the ones that can handle it — today, and years from now.
