Lectric XPeak e-bike review: Here’s why it’s the highest-value adventure bike out there
The Phoenix-based electric bike brand Lectric Ebikes is known for rolling out some of the best bang-for-your-buck electric bicycles in the US. Time after time, the company has entered new markets and broken ground with high-performing, low-cost e-bikes that send the competition into panic. And the $1,299 Lectric XPeak might just be the best example of that high-value game plan yet.
The Lectric XPeak falls into the category commonly referred to as “adventure-style bikes”, which basically means they have massive tires and an off-road design, but aren’t mountain bikes.
The most common form for this category is the standard hardtail 26″ fat tire bike, and that’s exactly what the Lectric XPeak offers.
So then what makes it so special? Basically, it offers better parts than other companies at a price several hundred dollars lower. It’s a better bike for less money, and I’m of the opinion that it’s one of the only bikes worth looking at in this budget adventure category anymore.
If you want higher quality, there are always going to be fancier brand-name bikes out there. But if you have two goals of getting off-road and saving money, the Lectric XPeak is basically the answer.
The Lectric XPeak is a better experience, period.
From the moment you mount the Letric XPeak and start your first ride, you’ll realize how much better this bike is.
Despite using a cadence sensor for pedal assist, like all budget fat tire electric bikes, the company’s power-based pedal assist system makes the ride surprisingly smooth. Sure, there’s a little bit of cadence sensor lag when you start spinning the pedals, but it’s just not very noticeable by comparison.
The ride is comfortable thanks to that 80mm travel Renegade RST front fork. That’s a fork that has no business being on a bike like this – it’s just too nice. But there it is.
I was worried how I would feel about the paddle thumb throttle, but I even found that to be surprisingly comfortable, too. It’s much better than an up-and-down rotary thumb throttle, though nothing is going to make me stop missing the industry standard and always perfect half-twist throttle, which rightfully reigns supreme as the king of all throttle designs.
The 750W rear motor actually has a peak power of 1,310W, and is there to offer up to 28 mph (45 km/h) of pedaling speed with 85 Nm of torque, and the large front chain ring means that you can actually pedal that fast without spinning your legs like a power drill. Plus, the gripping alloy pedals bite into your shoes nicely for strong contact, ensuring you aren’t slipping off the tiny little nubs on the cheap plastic pedals so many bikes come with these days.
That big ol’ rear rack offers plenty of real estate for hauling cargo and other gear around, plus you get fenders included instead of some annoying add-on accessory.
For range, the bike gets a 48V 14Ah battery with 672 Wh of capacity. Range will of course vary depending on conditions, but up to 55 miles (88 km) of range is possible on low-power pedal assist. Just be careful letting it rip in full power motor at top speed, as you could watch your range plummet into the 12-20 mile (20-32 km) window.
Are there sacrifices?
Yes, of course there will be a few areas where sacrifices were made to keep costs down.
You’re looking at Chaoyang tires instead of anything fancier, but that’s fine by me. I don’t need Maxxis tires to show off at the trailhead. I don’t care if the other guy’s tires cost as much as my whole bike. I’m out here to ride, not compete.
So sure, sacrifices will always have to be made on budget-level bikes to keep the price reasonable. But that’s sort of the amazing thing here, that there just aren’t that many sacrifices being made. You even still get hydraulic disc brakes on 180 mm rotors and a telescoping seat post to fit a wider range of axles.
Then there’s that thru-axle front wheel, the eMTB safety certifications that so many adventure-style electric bikes lack, and the full surround LED lighting.
Consider that the bike comes in both a step-over and a step-thru, and you’re looking at a lot of value in just one e-bike here.
But then again, that’s exactly what we’ve come to expect from Lectric Ebikes, the same company that brought us the XP line of folding e-bikes that shook up the e-bike industry with fair pricing that more riders than ever could finally afford.
And at just $1,299, the Lectric XPeak is a two-thumb-up-buy!
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![Here's your first look at the Hyundai IONIQ 2 [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/hyundai-ioniq-2-first-look.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
We are finally getting our first look at the IONIQ 2, the smaller sibling to the Hyundai IONIQ 5. Hyundai is expected to reveal the new EV next month, but after it was spotted driving near its tech center, we are already getting a sneak peek. Check it out for yourself in the video below.
First look at the Hyundai IONIQ 2 reveals new low-cost EV
Hyundai is betting on more affordable EVs to drive growth. It’s already finding success with the Inster EV, its cheapest electric car.
In the heart of Europe, Germany, the Inster EV was the top-selling small electric car through the first half of the year.
Hyundai is preparing to introduce another low-cost EV as part of its expanding IONIQ lineup. The IONIQ 2 will sit between the Inster EV and Hyundai Kona Electric in an increasingly popular segment.
Hyundai is expected to introduce the IONIQ 2 next month at the Munich Motor Show, with sales set to begin in mid-2026.
Although we caught a glimpse of a camouflaged model last month in a South Korean parking lot, a new video reveals the IONIQ 2 testing on the road.
The video from CarSpyMedia offers a good look at the new EV from all angles. As with the EV2, the IONIQ 2 will feature a taller, more SUV-like profile.
It’s still covered, but you can expect to see new design elements, such as redesigned LED headlights, featured on the new IONIQ 6.
The interior will undergo a “step change” from current models, according to Autocar, with new software, features, and an updated infotainment system.
Like most Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis electric vehicles, the IONIQ 2 will be based on its E-GMP platform. It will likely be offered with different battery pack options, similar to the Kia EV3. The EV3 is available with 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh battery packs, providing WLTP range of 267 miles and 372 miles respectively.
You can also expect it to share parts and similar styling to Kia’s upcoming EV2. The EV2 is scheduled to go on sale a few months ahead of the IONIQ 2.
Hyundai has yet to announce the price range, but it’s likely to start at around 30,000 euros ($35,400), which is slightly less than the Kia EV3’s price of 35,990 euros ($42,500).
Unfortunately, the IONIQ 2 is not expected to launch in the US. Hyundai is doubling down on SUVs after ramping output of the three-row IONIQ 9 and 2025 IONIQ 5 at its Georgia EV plant.
Hyundai Motor, including Kia and Genesis, is gearing up to launch its next-generation electric vehicles. An Electrek reader shared an image (shown below) of a few new camouflaged models testing in Europe.
The vehicle on the left, spotted in France last week, appears to be the new Hyundai Staria electric van. Given the distinctive two-line LED headlights, the vehicle at the front is likely a Genesis model.
Although it’s hard to tell, it appears to be the new GV90, an ultra-luxury Genesis electric SUV. Hyundai’s luxury brand is upscaling its lineup with the new full-size SUV serving as its new flagship model. The GV90 is expected to go head-to-head with the Mercedes G-Wagen. Last month, we got our first look at the GV90 with coach doors, giving off the Rolls Royce feel. It’s expected to arrive around mid-2026.
What do you think of the IONIQ 2? Would you buy one for around $35,000? Or, are you waiting for the ultra-luxe Genesis GV90? Drop us a comment below.
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The “Holy Grail” of EV batteries may be closer than we think. The first mass-produced EV to feature a semi-solid-state battery, the new MG4, was just cleared for sale in China.
Is the MG4 the first EV with a semi-solid-state battery?
After opening pre-orders for the new MG4 earlier this month, starting at about $10,000 (73,800 yuan), SAIC Motor announced that pricing for the semi-solid-state battery version would be revealed in September.
Well, we are already getting a look at the new variant. The MG4, equipped with a semi-solid-state battery, was included in the latest batch of vehicles cleared for sale by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) this week.
According to the regulatory filing, the new EV will feature the same single front-mounted 120 kW (161 hp) electric motor as the other models.
As expected, the biggest change is the battery. The new variant swaps the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that powers other MG4 models for a manganese-based lithium-ion battery. The battery is manufactured by Suzhou Qingtao Power Technology Co, a global leader in solid-state Li-ion EV batteries.
Other optional features include a 360-degree camera, front and rear radars, front badging, a tinted roof, and privacy glass.
Although it has been cleared for sale, we will have to wait until closer to launch for prices, range, battery capacity, and other specs.
For now, the new MG4 is available in four trims: Comfort, Ease, Freedom, and Smart. Two battery pack options are available, 42.8 kWh and 53.9 kWh, providing CLTC ranges of 437 km (272 miles) and 530 km (330 miles), respectively.
Prices start at 73,800 yuan ($10,000) for the base “Comfort” trim, ranging up to 105,800 yuan ($15,000) for the “Smart” edition model.
At 4,395 mm long, 1,842 mm wide, and 1,551 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, the new MG4 is slightly bigger than the popular BYD Dolphin EV hatch.
Inside, the semi-solid-state battery version is expected to feature the same setup with a 15.6″ floating infotainment and plenty of smart tech.
SAIC MG claims the new MG4 will be the first mass-produced EV to launch globally with a semi-solid-state battery. Prices and more info will be revealed in September, with deliveries beginning by the end of 2025.
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Polestar’s electric SUV set a new Guinness World Record after travelling over 580 miles (935 km) on a single charge. The trip took nearly 23 hours, but the Polestar 3 now claims the world record for the longest journey travelled by an electric SUV.
The Polestar 3 sets a new Guinness World Record
The record was set by an unmodified Polestar 3 Long Range Single motor model. Polestar launched the new variant in Europe last summer, followed by the US and other global markets in late 2024.
Powered by the same 111 kWh battery as the Dual Motor Polestar 3, the entry-level version features a single 295 hp (220 kW) rear-mounted motor. It’s also the most efficient model, rated with a WLTP range of 706 km (435 miles).
However, after a record-breaking trip this week, the Polestar 3 proved it’s much more efficient than the numbers show.
The Polestar 3 drove 935.44 km (581.3 miles) on public roads in the UK, setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest journey traveled by an electric SUV and smashing its range estimates by almost 230 km (143 miles).
According to Polestar, the electric SUV reached its WLTP range figure and still had 20% battery capacity, which allowed it to travel an additional 12.8 km (8 miles) before reaching 0%. And it did make it to a charger, in case you were wondering.
“While the drivers pushed the Polestar 3 to the boundaries of its range capability, it goes to show how battery range has improved exponentially over the past few years,” Polestar’s UK Managing Director, Matt Galvin, said.
Galvin added that “For a large premium SUV to go way beyond a London to Edinburgh distance is truly impressive and with this the adage that ‘EVs can’t go far’ has been very much consigned to the history books.”
The trip took 22 hours and 57 minutes, but the electric SUV delivered an impressive performance. Professional efficiency drivers, Sam Clarke, Kevin Booker, and Richard Parker, took turns driving every three hours.
The unmodified Polestar 3 was fitted with standard 20″ wheels and Michelin Sport 4 EV tires. Guinness World Record judge, Paulina Sapinska, verified the attempt. You can watch it in the video above.
Electrek’s Take
With an efficiency of 12.1 kWh/100 km (19.5 kWh/100 miles), or 5.13 miles/kWh, the Polestar 3 proved to be even more efficient than the Lucid Air Pure.
Lucid introduced the 2025 Air Pure last summer as the “World’s most efficient car” with an EPA estimated 5.0 miles/ kWh.
Last month, the Lucid Air Grand Touring model set a new Guinness World Record for the longest journey by any electric car on a single charge after driving 1,205 km (749 miles) through the Alps and into Germany.
And last week, GM announced the 2025 Chevy Silverado EV Work Truck set a world record after it drove 1059.2 miles on a single charge.
With most automakers and many other companies chasing more efficient batteries with new chemistries, this could be just the start.
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