The Cheapest Electric Cars of 2025

1

Nissan Leaf

• Electric Range: 149–212 mi
• Horsepower: 147–214 hp
• Base Price: $28,140

The Leaf deserves a lot of credit for kick-starting the EV revolution at a mainstream price point. It's easy to forget that the Leaf had been around for years by the time Tesla came out with the Model 3. Having said that, there's zero pizzazz in this car, from its blob-like styling to its ho-hum performance. Nissan needs to give it some love and give EV shoppers something to get excited about.

See Full Details >

2

Fiat 500e

• Electric Range: 149 mi
• Horsepower: 117 hp
• Base Price: $32,500

What's the 500e's greatest strength? You're looking at it — this thing is cute as hell. We'll also grant that it's exceptionally easy to park. Otherwise, though, Fiat's all-electric hatchback has a hard row to hoe. It doesn't offer much range, it's slow, and it's pretty expensive given those shortcomings.

See Full Details >

3

Hyundai Kona Electric

• Electric Range: 200–261 mi
• Horsepower: 133–201 hp
• Base Price: $32,875

The subcompact Kona EV is a mixed bag. If you spring for the bigger battery, you'll enjoy pretty decent range and adequately quick acceleration, but the peak charge rate remains low regardless. Also, the battery upgrade brings the price uncomfortably close to larger, more substantial EVs. As for the standard Kona Electric configuration, 133 horsepower and 200 miles of range just won't cut it in today's marketplace.

See Full Details >

4

Chevrolet Equinox EV

• Electric Range: 307–319 mi
• Horsepower: 220–300 hp
• Base Price: $33,600

The Equinox EV has made news for offering 300-mile range at a reasonable price, and those reports aren't wrong. We'd like a bit more oomph for passing and merging — the front-wheel-drive Equinox EV, which is the range champ, generates only 220 horsepower — but as electric commuter vehicles go, the Equinox EV makes a strong case for itself on value.

See Full Details >

5

Volvo EX30

• Electric Range: 253–261 mi
• Horsepower: 268–422 hp
• Base Price: $34,950

We keep looking forward to the entry-level, rear-drive EX30, which will maximize this model's value proposition while remaining plenty quick and rangey. Due to various production complications, the dual-motor EX30 AWD is the first to arrive on our shores, and it's a needlessly fast (0-60 in less than 4 seconds?!) subcompact SUV that costs many thousands more than the RWD variant. If you can get on a list for the base EX30, you'll be sitting pretty if/when it arrives.

See Full Details >

6

Toyota bZ4X

• Electric Range: 228–252 mi
• Horsepower: 201–214 hp
• Base Price: $37,070

Sorely lacking in both range and power relative to most rivals, the compact bZ4X was close to D.O.A. when it hit the market. Toyota has cut the price to sweeten the deal, but it's pretty clear that the bZ4X won't be remembered as a competitive model. You can do much better.

See Full Details >

7

Hyundai Ioniq 6

• Electric Range: 240–342 mi
• Horsepower: 149–320 hp
• Base Price: $37,750

Held back by controversial styling and a tight trunk, the Ioniq 6 is otherwise one of today's best EV values. The range is generous and the refinement is luxury-grade.

See Full Details >

8

Ford Mustang Mach-E

• Electric Range: 230–320 mi
• Horsepower: 264–480 hp
• Base Price: $37,995

The Mustang Mach-E has made waves for how much it's costing Ford (a lot!), but if you focus on the product, it's really quite good. Compared to the Model Y, the Mach-E nearly achieves parity on range and acceleration, held back mainly by its significantly higher weight.

See Full Details >

9

Subaru Solterra

• Electric Range: 227 mi
• Horsepower: 215 hp
• Base Price: $38,495

Like its Toyota bZ4X platform-mate, the Solterra struggles to compete in the increasingly cutthroat compact electric SUV segment. It comes up short on both range and power, which means it's almost impossible to make the case for buying one.

See Full Details >

10

Kia Niro EV

• Electric Range: 253 mi
• Horsepower: 201 hp
• Base Price: $39,600

Kia is definitely at the vanguard of the EV movement, but the subcompact Niro EV isn't the company's best work. The range and acceleration are modest, and with a base price around $40k, there are plenty of more capable EVs to be had for roughly the same money.

See Full Details >

11

Nissan Ariya

• Electric Range: 205–289 mi
• Horsepower: 214–389 hp
• Base Price: $39,770

The Ariya is an eminently pleasant transportation pod, providing a smooth ride along with the possibility of competitive range. You need to specify the bigger battery in order to get that range, though, which drives the price up into territory occupied by more capable rivals.

See Full Details >

12

Tesla Model 3

• Electric Range: 303–363 mi
• Horsepower: 286–510 hp
• Base Price: $42,490

Recently refreshed, the Model 3 drives better and looks sharper than ever. We favor the Long Range RWD variant for its enviable blend of range and acceleration, but you really can't go wrong with any Model 3 build.

See Full Details >

13

Hyundai Ioniq 5

• Electric Range: 221–318 mi
• Horsepower: 168–601 hp
• Base Price: $42,600

The Ioniq 5 is another illustration of how much styling matters. Whatever you may think of EVs in general, you have to admit that Hyundai killed it with the 5's angular, '80s-tastic lines. There are no disappointments under the skin, thankfully, as the Ioniq 5 boasts great range and the option of serious dual-motor acceleration.

See Full Details >

14

Lexus RZ

• Electric Range: 196–266 mi
• Horsepower: 201–308 hp
• Base Price: $42,800

There's really only one RZ variant worth considering, and that's the base front-wheel-drive RZ 300e, which maximizes range. Even so, most rivals offer many more miles per charge, and the RZ 300e's acceleration is lackluster given the premium badge. As for the all-wheel-drive RZ 450e, it's plenty quick, but its range is embarrassingly poor for a contemporary EV.

See Full Details >

15

Kia EV6

• Electric Range: 231–319 mi
• Horsepower: 167–576 hp
• Base Price: $42,900

Would you believe that the EV6 is fundamentally very similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 underneath that swoopy styling? Kia really gives you a distinct offering to consider here. We're drawn to the EV6's relatively sporty, low-slung vibe, whereas the Ioniq 5 is more upright and utilitarian. You can't go wrong either way — drive both and see what you think.

See Full Details >

16

Chevrolet Blazer EV

• Electric Range: 283–334 mi
• Horsepower: 220–595 hp
• Base Price: $44,600

The Blazer EV comes in all sorts of configurations, including the rare choice between front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. There are a couple of all-wheel-drive versions, too, but our favorite is the Blazer EV RWD, because that means you've got the powerful motor from the Cadillac Lyriq on board — and your range is well into the 300s.

See Full Details >

17

Tesla Model Y

• Electric Range: 327–357 mi
• Base Price: $44,990

The Model Y is remarkably light by EV standards, and it uses that to its advantage, pairing generous range with quick acceleration like no rival at its price point. In short, it's just about impossible to beat the Model Y for what Tesla's charging.

See Full Details >

18

Volkswagen ID.4

• Electric Range: 263–291 mi
• Horsepower: 282–335 hp
• Base Price: $45,095

VW has struggled to find customers for its soft-edged compact electric crossover, but there's a hidden gem here if you look closely. The ID.4 Pro RWD delivers respectable range and acceleration at a competitive price, and given how low demand has been for this model, you might be able to work a better deal on one.

See Full Details >

19

Mini Countryman SE

• Electric Range: 212 mi
• Horsepower: 308 hp
• Base Price: $45,200

We were excited about the all-electric Countryman SE until we saw its EPA range estimate, which barely surpasses 200 miles. In an era when 300 is the magic number, that's just a huge swing and a miss, limiting this Mini's appeal to folks who have a lot of spare change to spend on a local errand-runner. It's certainly swift and fun to drive, though.

See Full Details >

20

VinFast VF 8

• Electric Range: 243–264 mi
• Horsepower: 349–402 hp
• Base Price: $46,000

The strangely styled VF 8 compact SUV has had a hard time getting its foot in the door on our shores. To be fair, it's reasonably quick and offers adequate range, but there's nothing that stands out as being special, and that's what a newcomer needs to gain fans.

See Full Details >

21

Honda Prologue

• Electric Range: 294–308 mi
• Horsepower: 220–300 hp
• Base Price: $47,400

The Prologue is essentially a GM electric SUV, sharing its platform and mechanical bits with the Chevrolet Equinox EV and Blazer EV. Unlike those Chevys, though, the Prologue offers Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and we think it looks better, too. Overall, it's a solid mainstream EV if you can get a nice deal on one, but its acceleration, refinement and interior materials quality are mid-pack at best.

See Full Details >

22

Audi Q4 e-tron

• Electric Range: 258–288 mi
• Horsepower: 282–335 hp
• Base Price: $49,800

We like the Q4 e-tron's tech-forward interior, which shows Audi's typical attention to detail. It fails to impress in the range department, however, and while you can get a powerful dual-motor version if you want, that takes a bite out of the range and brings the price closer to the Q4 e-tron's superior sibling, the Q6 e-tron.

See Full Details >

23

Genesis GV60

• Electric Range: 235–294 mi
• Horsepower: 225–429 hp
• Base Price: $52,350

It's a testament to this luxury brand's commitment to value that the Genesis GV60 can be had for the same price as many non-luxury EVs. It's not as practical as its Hyundai Ioniq 5 platform-mate, but if you dig the styling and the upscale interior, the GV60 could very well win you over.

See Full Details >

24

Volvo EX40

• Electric Range: 260–296 mi
• Horsepower: 248–402 hp
• Base Price: $52,500

Picking up where the identical XC40 Recharge left off, the EX40 offers solid range and quick acceleration, but its old and small touchscreen is yesterday's news. We like this stylish Volvo, but it's not the complete package, especially at the prices Volvo's charging.

See Full Details >

25

BMW i4

• Electric Range: 227–318 mi
• Horsepower: 282–536 hp
• Base Price: $52,800

The i4 is one of the first non-Tesla EVs to put up a real fight at a reasonable price. Granted, you'll pay a lot more for an i4 than you would for a comparable Model 3, but the BMW will reward you with a more precise and substantial feel on the road. It's also a hatchback, so you get a level of versatility that's more on par with SUVs.

See Full Details >

Next Steps

The most affordable electric car may not be the one you ultimately want, but it's good to get the lay of the land. Automakers certainly understand that EV shoppers are looking for deals, and we think you'll see more cheap EVs popping up on this page as time goes on. Eventually, the least expensive electric car could become a fixture on our roads if the price is low enough. We're not there yet, but keep coming back to check this page for the latest updates. We're confident that the inexpensive electric cars of the future will increasingly appeal to all American drivers, not just EV enthusiasts.

More Top Lists

• Best MPG Hybrid SUVs
• Best MPG Plug-In Hybrid SUVs
• Best MPG SUVs
• Best Trucks for Towing
• Cheapest 3-Row SUVs
• Cheapest New Cars
• Longest Range Electric Cars
• Longest Range Electric SUVs
• Longest Range Plug-In Hybrids