Cars today are somehow becoming more thrilling and dull at the same time. About fifteen years ago, high-end cars distinguished themselves mainly through performance. Of course, design and comfort mattered, but performance was the real game-changer. Nowadays, you can get into an electric vehicle (EV) priced under $40,000, hit the accelerator, and reach 60 miles per hour in just a bit over three seconds. That kind of speed was something only the most expensive cars could achieve 15 years ago.
However, driving dynamics go beyond just 0-to-60 times, even though it’s easy to simplify performance to that number. To be fair, it’s a straightforward metric for most car buyers to grasp, but there’s more to it. The nuances of steering, the feel of the brakes and suspension, plus the engine or motor tuning, all influence how a car drives.
But now, raw performance is almost a given, courtesy of electric vehicles. So, what comes next? When high performance is easy to achieve, what will set cars apart? Will cars of the future still have their own character?
I believe this boils down to good old-fashioned capitalism. When performance is no longer a unique selling point, car manufacturers have to compete in other areas, leading them to make some interesting choices.
One way car manufacturers can stand out is through design. Take the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the Kia EV6, for instance. These are some of the coolest-looking EVs around and are also affordably priced. More luxurious models like the Rivian R1S, known for its distinctive oval headlights, also shine in design.
Another area where car makers can compete is software. While this may not captivate traditional car enthusiasts, it’s critical for the modern driving experience. Legacy carmakers often lag in this area, while leaders like Tesla and Rivian set the pace in consumer-facing car software. Their software is decent, but it pales in comparison to the high-quality software most people use on their phones.
Improving design and software is significant, but the best way for carmakers to compete is in range and charging speeds — factors that truly affect an EV driver’s experience. Currently, most consumer EVs offer a base model with a 250-mile range and an option for a larger battery that extends up to around 330 miles. Charging speeds vary widely, from reaching 80% in under 20 minutes to taking 40 minutes or more.
These metrics might not win over car enthusiasts who argue that electric vehicles lack “soul.” Nevertheless, these aspects are crucial for actual car buyers.
There’s an argument that electric cars might lack personality, especially when it comes to the driving experience. I see the point, though I don’t completely agree. Driving dynamics, especially with gas-powered cars, add character. When you push the accelerator in a gas car, you’re managing a complex process that includes sending a mix of air and fuel into cylinders, compressing it, creating combustion, and then translating that into wheel movement. This sequence can be romanticized, with the revving engine and gear changes adding to the car’s personality.
In electric cars, this process is simplified. Press the accelerator, and the motors instantly deliver power to the wheels, making many EVs feel similar. Not everyone appreciates this uniformity.
Some automakers are trying to recreate the internal combustion engine (ICE) driving experience in EVs, starting with sound. Many EVs come equipped with fake engine noises pumped through the speakers when accelerating. Personally, I find this artificial and a bit counterproductive, considering one of the advantages of EVs is their quietness.
Some manufacturers are even adding fake manual transmissions, allowing drivers to simulate gear changes to mirror the experience of driving a traditional car. Many car aficionados enjoy this feature, even though it’s not particularly compelling to me.
Is this the future? Recreating the sound and feel of ICE cars, and fine-tuning them for differentiation, might be one way forward. Yet, I’m not convinced it’s the best path. As we shift towards electrification, many beloved aspects of traditional cars, like engine roars and gasoline smells, will either be faked or disappear.
For most people, this trade-off is worth it for cleaner, more efficient cars. I’m confident carmakers will eventually find ways to make driving EVs more enjoyable and interesting, focusing on areas like design, range, and software to keep things exciting.
Are cars losing their soul? Maybe, but they’re also becoming a lot better for everyday drivers.