As the automotive industry shifts towards electric vehicles, a curious trend has emerged: some EVs are designed to mimic features traditionally associated with internal combustion engines. This phenomenon often aims to bridge the gap for drivers transitioning from gas-powered cars to electric ones, offering a familiar experience in an otherwise new landscape.

The automotive world is rapidly embracing electric vehicles as the future of transportation, thanks to their eco-friendly nature and advanced technology. However, not all EVs are created equal. While many manufacturers are innovating with designs and features that highlight the unique advantages of electric powertrains, some are still tethered to the past, trying too hard to mimic the look, feel, and even sound of traditional gas-powered cars. This adherence to old paradigms can sometimes result in EVs that fall short of their full potential, both in performance and consumer appeal. These vehicles, despite their electric hearts, seem overly nostalgic for the gas-guzzling days gone by. From design cues to driving dynamics, we explore how these EVs struggle to break free from the shadows of their fossil-fueled predecessors.

These attempts to replicate ICE characteristics, however, can sometimes come across as anachronistic, detracting from the inherent advantages of electric mobility. A great example of this could be the appeal of how silent EVs are, while adding augmented engine sounds could go against what a potential buyer might want. Here are EVs that epitomize this trend, incorporating elements like fake engine sounds, imitation gear shifts, and even false exhaust notes. These features, while comforting to some, highlight a reluctance to fully embrace the potential of electric technology, so let’s try and better understand the motivations behind their designs and consider whether they truly serve the evolving needs of the modern driver.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites.

1 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Imaginary Redline

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N stands out in the EV market for its performance-oriented approach, which includes several features designed to mimic the experience of driving an ICE vehicle. Among the most notable is the simulated engine noise, piped through the speakers to provide an auditory experience reminiscent of a high-performance gas engine.

Additionally, the Ioniq 5 N offers a virtual shift system that emulates the sensation of changing gears, despite the single-speed transmission typical of EVs. These features aim to provide a sporty driving experience familiar to enthusiasts of traditional performance cars, but they can also feel like an unnecessary throwback in an otherwise futuristic vehicle.

2 Dodge Charger Daytona

Fake Hemi Engine Sounds

Dodge has taken a bold step with the Charger Daytona SRT EV by incorporating several ICE-like features to appeal to its muscle car fan base. This electric muscle car includes a Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust, a system that generates an external exhaust note designed to replicate the sound of a traditional V-8 engine.

The Charger Daytona SRT EV also features a multi-speed transmission that creates the sensation of gear shifts, enhancing the driving experience for those accustomed to manual or automatic transmissions. These elements aim to preserve the visceral thrill of driving a muscle car, even in an electric format, but they also underscore a hesitancy to fully embrace electric technology.

3 Hyundai Kona Electric

Looks Similar To The ICE Kona

The Hyundai Kona Electric is a practical and affordable EV that closely mirrors its gasoline-powered sibling, the Hyundai Kona. Its exterior design, with its compact SUV shape and distinctive front grille, closely resembles the gas model, with only minor modifications to signal its electric nature.

Inside, the Kona Electric features a conventional dashboard layout and controls, making it easy for existing Kona drivers to transition to electric. However, this familiarity comes at the cost of innovation, as the Kona Electric misses opportunities to highlight the benefits of electric power, such as enhanced interior space and advanced driver-assistance systems.

4 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Fake Mustang V-8 Roar

While the standard Mustang Mach-E embraces its electric identity, the high-performance GT variant leans heavily on features that echo its gasoline-powered predecessors. One of the most prominent is the use of artificial engine sounds, which provide an auditory experience similar to that of a roaring Mustang V-8.

The Mach-E GT also includes a performance shift feature that simulates the sensation of gear changes, adding a layer of familiarity for traditional Mustang enthusiasts. These features are designed to deliver a driving experience that feels robust and engaging, but they also tether the Mach-E GT to the past rather than allowing it to fully explore the potential of electric propulsion.

5 Toyota GR HV Sports Concept

An EV With Three Pedals

Toyota’s GR HV Sports Concept is an EV that blurs the lines between electric and traditional sports cars. It features a simulated manual transmission, complete with a shifter and clutch pedal, providing the tactile experience of gear changes despite the lack of a conventional gearbox.

The concept car from Toyota includes an artificial engine sound system to mimic the auditory feedback of an ICE vehicle. These features aim to cater to driving purists who enjoy the mechanics of traditional sports cars, but they also highlight resistance to moving entirely into the realm of electric innovation.

6 BMW i4 M50

Augmented Sound, Thanks To Hans Zimmer

The BMW i4 M50 combines the brand’s electric technology with features designed to evoke the experience of driving a traditional M-series performance car. One of the key features is the inclusion of BMW’s IconicSounds Electric, developed in collaboration with composer Hans Zimmer, which provides a range of synthetic engine sounds to enhance the driving experience.

Additionally, the i4 M50 offers a virtual gear shift feature, simulating the sensation of changing gears. These elements are crafted to appeal to BMW enthusiasts who are accustomed to the brand’s sporty, performance-oriented vehicles, but they also anchor the i4 M50 to a bygone era of automotive design.

7 Audi e-tron GT

Two-speed Transmission

The Audi e-tron GT is a luxury electric sedan that incorporates several ICE-like features to maintain its connection to Audi’s performance heritage. The car includes an electronic sound generator that produces a synthetic engine noise, aimed at delivering an engaging auditory experience for the driver.

The e-tron GT features a virtual gear shift system, simulating the feeling of gear changes. These aspects are designed to provide a familiar driving experience for those transitioning from gasoline-powered Audi models, but they can also be seen as a reluctance to fully embrace the silent, seamless nature of electric driving.

8 BMW i3 Range Extender

Features A Gas Generator

The BMW i3 initially garnered attention for its unique, futuristic design, but upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that its driving dynamics are deeply rooted in BMW’s gasoline-powered lineage. The i3’s emphasis on sporty handling and performance, characteristics typical of BMW’s gas models, often overshadows its electric capabilities.

The inclusion of a range-extender option, essentially a small gasoline engine, further muddies the waters, making the i3 feel like a halfway step between traditional and electric propulsion. While its carbon fiber construction and interior materials are commendable, the i3’s reluctance to fully embrace an electric identity held it back before it eventually faded away into oblivion.

9 Honda e

External Warning Sound To Alert Pedestrians

The Honda e, while primarily a city car with a futuristic design, includes features that hark back to the brand’s gasoline-powered models. One of these is the use of synthetic engine sounds, which provide auditory feedback similar to that of a small gasoline engine.

Additionally, the Honda e features a driving mode that simulates the feel of gear shifts, offering a tactile experience reminiscent of traditional manual transmissions. These aspects are designed to make the Honda e more familiar and engaging for drivers transitioning from ICE vehicles, but they also suggest a reluctance to fully leverage the advantages of electric drivetrains.

10 Volvo XC40 Recharge

Interior and Exterior Resembles Its Gas Siblings

The Volvo XC40 Recharge is a well-crafted electric SUV that often feels like a direct adaptation of the gas-powered XC40. Its design, both inside and out, closely mirrors the traditional model, with Volvo’s signature minimalist aesthetic and practical layout. While this consistency reinforces brand identity, it limits the XC40 Recharge’s ability to stand out as a groundbreaking EV.

The driving experience, too, remains rooted in Volvo’s gasoline heritage, focusing on comfort and safety rather than exploiting the unique characteristics of electric propulsion. As a result, the XC40 Recharge feels more like an incremental step towards electrification rather than a bold leap.