The Most Affordable Electric SUVs Still Have Good Range
Finding a cheap electric SUV used to be impossible, but as technology has evolved and EVs have become more popular, prices have come down. Now the cheapest electric SUVs cost less than $40,000 new. With the savings gained from not filling up with gas, an all-electric future can be closer than ever. These are ranked from least expensive to most.
How We Ranked the Cheapest Electric SUVs
1. 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric • $32,675
- Price: $32,675
- Range: 200-261 miles
- What We Like: Comfortable, decent range with optional powertrain
- What We Don’t: Base powertrain could use more power and range
The Hyundai Kona Electric is a dynamic and modern subcompact SUV with an upscale cockpit outfitted with easy-to-use tech features. It’s equipped with a sleek dual 12.3-inch display screen behind one piece of glass. The Kona has a comfortable front seat and a decent rear seat and cargo space.
Two powertrains are available: a 133-horsepower system with 200 miles of range and a 201-horsepower system with 261 miles of range. Both have a single motor driving the front wheels. The base powertrain has weak acceleration and limited range, so we’d recommend upgrading to the 201-horsepower version, if possible. The Kona Electric is available in three trims: the base SE, the nicer SEL, and the top-of-the-line Limited.
Shopping for a Used Kona Electric?
The Kona Electric was introduced as an all-new model in 2019. It was restyled for the 2022 model year and completely redesigned for 2024.
2. 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 • $38,995
- Price: $38,995
- Range: 245-275 miles
- What We Like: Bright and spacious cabin
- What We Don’t: Not as fun to drive as rivals
The ID.4 has a spacious cabin that’s bright and accommodating. It has more cargo space than most electric SUVs but not as much as the Tesla Model X and Model Y. The ID.4 offers both a single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) model and a dual-motor AWD model with more horsepower, though it’s not as much fun to drive as other EVs.
All ID.4 SUVs come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The ID.4 also comes with three years of free public fast-charging at Electrify America stations nationwide. Drivers can add 70 miles of range in just 10 minutes.
Shopping for a Used ID.4?
The VW ID.4 was all-new for 2021. These first-year models are mostly single-motor FWD models. The dual-motor AWD versions arrived later in the year.
3. 2024 Kia Niro EV • $39,600
- Price: $39,600
- Range: 253 miles
- What We Like: Solid all-around electric SUV
- What We Don’t: Pricier than key competitors
The Niro EV is the Kona’s corporate cousin. It’s a bit roomier, but it is pricier and has less range. It features comfortable seats and decent cargo capacity, but taller adults may wish for more rear-seat legroom.
The Niro EV is quick off the line, but it’s less powerful than most electric SUVs. While it’s not a corner carver, the Niro EV handles well, is easy to maneuver, and provides a comfortable ride. It also has a well-equipped cabin. Standard features include a 10.3-inch infotainment screen and heated front seats.
Shopping for a Used Niro EV?
Kia redesigned the Niro EV for 2023. The previous version ran from 2019 to 2022.
4. 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 • $41,650
- Price: $41,650
- Range: 269-303 miles
- What We Like: Great range
- What We Don’t: Pricey for a Hyundai
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an electric crossover and the second electric vehicle in the Ioniq lineup, following the discontinued Ioniq EV hatchback. Where the Ioniq EV was a modest hatchback, the Ioniq 5 is a bold styling statement. Its proportions and clean lines hide the vehicle’s true size. The Ioniq 5 provides solid cargo space and incredible passenger space.
The clean design of the exterior carries into the interior, where the lack of a conventional driveline opens up the center area below the dash. The large dual-screen digital dash may look futuristic, but it is easier to use than Tesla’s all-screen/no-buttons approach. That said, the unique shifter design has a bit of a learning curve.
The Ioniq 5 can be had with RWD or AWD. The AWD model provides inspired acceleration and dialed-in handling. The Ioniq 5 is pricier than other vehicles on this list, and the Limited trim has a luxury-level price tag.
Shopping for a Used Hyundai Ioniq 5?
The Ioniq 5 was all-new for 2022 and heads into 2024 unchanged.
5. 2024 Kia EV6 • $42,600
- Price: $42,600
- Range: 230-310 miles
- What We Like: Roomy; quick GT model
- What We Don’t: Pricey
The Kia EV6 is an electric crossover with sharp styling, though its angular roof cuts in on usable cargo space and rear headroom. The front seats are spacious and comfortable, and the rear seats provide decent legroom. A hands-free power liftgate is available.
The EV6 has a long list of standard equipment, including wireless device charging and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The base setup features a single 167-hp electric motor powering the rear wheels. The upgraded setup features a larger battery and either a 225-hp motor at the rear wheels or a dual-motor setup with a combined 320 horsepower. The top-end GT trim makes over 576 horsepower! Low-end acceleration is swift, and the dual-motor setup provides extra grunt. No matter the setup, the EV6 provides lively, responsive handling.
Shopping for a Used EV6?
The EV6 was an all-new model in 2022. Kia added the GT model to the lineup for 2023.
6. 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E • $45,995
- Price: $45,995
- Range: 224-312 miles
- What We Like: Great performance
- What We Don’t: Gets expensive with upgrades
The Mach-E is an electric crossover with Mustang DNA. It provides swift acceleration, adept handling, and a smooth, quiet ride. Inside, you find a modern cabin with ample space for five adults, competitive cargo volume, and intuitive technology.
The Mach-E was designed as a direct competitor to the Tesla Model Y, and it comes close to the Tesla’s performance specs. The Mach-E isn’t as quick, and it doesn’t have as much range, but it’s not far off.
The Mach-E is well-priced for what it is. However, once shoppers add AWD and other key features, it gets expensive.
Shopping for a Used Mustang Mach-E?
The Mach-E was introduced for the 2021 model year, and the design hasn’t changed since. For 2022, Ford added available BlueCruise hands-free driving capability.
7. 2024 Toyota bZ4X • $43,070
- Price: $43,070
- Range: 222-252 miles
- What We Like: Well-rounded Toyota SUV
- What We Don’t: Less range and power than most EVs in its price range; challenging name
The bZ4X could push the right buttons for car shoppers intrigued by an EV but who don’t want to empty their bank account to afford one. The entry-level bZ4X has a single electric motor that sends 201 horsepower to the front wheels. AWD is optional and nudges output slightly to 215 horsepower.
Depending on the trim and which wheels are doing the driving, range varies from 222 to 252 miles on a full charge. The cabin has room for five and features a 12.3-inch touchscreen and large storage space beneath the center console. You might consider cross-shopping the bZ4X with the Solterra since the two were co-developed by Toyota and Subaru.
Shopping for a Used bZ4X?
The bZ4X was a brand-new model last year, but even so, there are a few pre-owned examples on the market.
8. 2023 Nissan Ariya • $43,190
- Price: $43,190
- Range: 216-304 miles
- What We Like: Like a nice Nissan Leaf
- What We Don’t: Other SUVs are more upscale
Having been among the first to bring EVs into the mainstream with its Leaf hatchback, Nissan is adding the compact Ariya electric SUV to its roster for the 2023 model year. Variety is a plus point here, at least for EV shoppers who like a choice of battery packs, electric motors, and which wheels are powered.
The Ariya is available in no less than six trim levels and offers two battery sizes, single or dual-electric motor powertrains, and front-wheel drive (FWD) or AWD. A max of 304 miles of range is available, and the Ariya has a relatively affordable starting price.
Shopping for a Used Ariya?
The Ariya is an all-new model, and as such, there are few used examples on the market. But the Nissan Leaf is one of the most affordable EVs on the market. It’s also one of the longest-running EV models.
9. 2024 Tesla Model Y • $43,990
- Price: $43,990
- Range: 279-330 miles
- What We Like: Powerful and high-tech
- What We Don’t: Not much
The Model Y boasts a lot of range, lively acceleration, athletic handling, and an upscale cabin with plenty of space for five passengers. The Model Y also has more cargo space than most rival electric SUVs.
The Model Y’s large touchscreen controls most of the car’s features. It doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but it does have its own built-in maps, navigation, internet, Spotify, Netflix, games, and more.
Like all Tesla vehicles, the Model Y charges rapidly and has access to the Tesla Supercharger network, with locations strategically located around the country. AWD comes standard, as do automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring.
Shopping for a Used Model Y?
The Model Y came to market in 2020 and hasn’t changed much since.
10. 2023 Subaru Solterra • $44,995
- Price: $44,995
- Range: 222-228 miles
- What We Like: Well-rounded Subaru SUV
- What We Don’t: Higher price and less range than most nearly identical Toyota bZ4X
True to the brand’s outdoorsy image, the Solterra is one of the few electric vehicles capable of tackling (modest) off-road adventures. This comes courtesy of the Solterra’s standard AWD, along with features like hill ascent and descent control and a handy 8.3 inches of ground clearance.
Range is a below-average 228 miles on a full charge, and the Solterra is compatible with DC fast charging. The cabin is modern and quirky, with a variety of textures and a 12.3 touchscreen sprouting from the center of the dash.
Shopping for a Used Solterra?
The Solterra is new for the 2023 model year, but there are already some examples hitting the second market.
How We Ranked These Electric SUVs
We ranked these electric SUVs by their base MSRP when new, without destination charges, taxes, or EV tax credits. Our rankings are based on the latest models, but since many of these vehicles have remained unchanged from earlier years, our insights apply to used models as well.
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Electric Cars
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