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Latest electric car reviews
- 2023 Hyundai Kona ElectricJune 22, 2023
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUVJune 21, 2023
- 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70June 5, 2023
Cheapest Electric Cars
Most affordable EVs for 2025
March 14th, 2025
Cheapest electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids
Cheapest electric cars
- Starting price:
- $29,280
- Base model range:
- 149 miles
2025 Nissan Leaf
One of the first mass-market electric vehicles also remains one of the cheapest options for 2025, but that's not without a few shortcomings. In Edmunds' testing, the Nissan Leaf SV Plus, which has a larger battery pack than the base model, traveled 237 miles… on a single charge, 25 more miles than its EPA estimate. The EPA rates the base model at 149 miles of total range, which is low for an EV, but if you're on a tight budget, it'll be perfect for your daily commute. The Leaf offers many standard safety features along with an 8-inch touchscreen, but its CHAdeMO charging port isn't in widespread use.- Starting price:
- $31,895
- Base model range:
- 114 miles
2024 Mini Electric Hardtop
Unlike its gas brethren, which have two- and four-door models, the Mini Electric is only available in a two-door configuration. A new-generation model was scheduled to arrive in the U.S. for the 2025 model year, but changes to tariffs have caused Mini to push… back the hatchback's launch here. The EPA puts the Mini EV's electric range at 114 miles, but we squeezed an extra 15 miles out of it. Its quirky looks and features and low starting price make it a good entry point to EV ownership.- Starting price:
- $44,130
- Base model range:
- 363 miles
2025 Tesla Model 3
Tesla’s entry-level model received a much-needed update for the 2024 model year, although you’ll have to look closely to see the changes. The automaker refined the car’s rough suspension, tweaked the aerodynamics, and added a rear touchscreen for the backseat… passengers. When we drove the latest Model 3, one of the first things we noticed was the improvement in cabin quality and aesthetics. The base rear-wheel-drive Long Range Model 3 has an EPA-estimated range of 363 miles, while the Long Range All-Wheel Drive carries a rating of 346 miles. However, both models fell short of their EPA estimates in our testing. We only got 232 miles out of the base model, while the Long Range model went 338 miles on a single charge.Compare Cheapest Electric Cars
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Cheapest electric SUVs
- Starting price:
- $34,295
- EV range:
- 319 miles
2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV
This year, the 2025 Chevy Equinox EV received a price cut, making it the new value king among entry-level electric cars. The Equinox EV is a practical compact SUV with available all-wheel drive. It shares its name but is only loosely related to its gas-powered… counterpart, the Equinox SUV. It sits below the Blazer EV in Chevy's electric vehicle lineup. The Equinox EV offers comfort and an EPA-estimated range of 319 miles, which Edmunds' testing exceeded, reaching an outstanding 356 miles. This user-friendly EV is a great option for those new to electric vehicles.- Starting price:
- $34,425
- EV range:
- 200 miles
2025 Hyundai Kona Electric
The Hyundai Kona Electric might be considerably more expensive than its gas-powered counterpart, but it was all-new for the 2024 model year and has excellent charging credentials for the price. The new model got a dramatic redesign, too, with a roomier… interior featuring dual displays and, even better, more range. It’s available with two battery packs, and the larger one helps it achieve an EPA estimate of 261 miles. We traveled 308 miles in our test.- Starting price:
- $40,995
- Starting range:
- 253 miles
2025 Kia Niro EV
The Kia Niro EV traveled 280 miles of range in the Edmunds EV Range Test. That’s an impressive figure for this price point, and the Niro EV is made more desirable with a long list of standard features, a spacious cargo hold and a modern design. Step up to the… Wave model, and you get Kia's Highway Driving Assist 2, a form of adaptive cruise control that adds automatic lane changing on top of its lane centering and speed-keeping functionality.- Starting price:
- $44,075
- Starting range:
- 245 miles
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5
The first time you see the Hyundai Ioniq 5, you might think that it’s something out of a sci-fi movie, but it impresses with a comfortable cabin loaded with the latest tech and safety features. In Edmunds' testing, a pre-face-lift Ioniq 5 in its dual-motor… configuration traveled 270 miles on single charge, exceeding its EPA estimate by 14 miles. The 2025 face-lift brings even more to the table. The standard-range model with only one electric motor has an EPA-estimated range of 245 miles.Compare Cheapest Electric SUVs
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Cheapest Luxury Electric Cars and SUVs
- Starting price:
- $51,095
- Starting range:
- 258 miles
2025 Audi Q4 e-tron
Audi’s cheapest electric vehicle is also one of the brand’s most affordable vehicles regardless of powertrain. It’s based on the Volkswagen ID.4, but it’s nicer than the Volkswagen in almost every way. The interior materials are a step above, and the… infotainment system is much easier to use than the ID.4’s sometimes pesky setup. Other luxury EVs offer more performance and range, but we got 270 miles of range out of the 2022 Q4 E-tron’s 50 model, besting its EPA estimate of 241 miles. Since its 2024 hardware update, the luxury electric SUV has EPA estimates of up to 288 miles on the 45 model. Still, its low starting price for the class makes the Q4 E-tron a worthy contender.- Starting price:
- $54,390
- Starting range:
- 300 miles
2025 Cadillac Optiq
Positioned below the Lyriq in Cadillac’s electric lineup, the Optiq compact luxury electric SUV will debut this year. Pricing starts around $55,000, making it one of the more accessible luxury EVs. Cadillac promises a range of around 300 miles, a sleek design,… and the brand's signature high-tech interior with a curved digital display and premium materials. It’s also built on GM’s platform that delivers strong performance and fast-charging capabilities.- Starting price:
- $46,630
- Starting range:
- 337 miles
2025 Tesla Model Y
Tesla built on the success of the Model 3 sedan when it introduced the Model Y crossover. Heck, it’s the best-selling electric vehicle in North America, and a new model will be available in the spring of 2025 with a sleeker exterior, enhanced interior… amenities, and improved efficiency. If you can’t wait for the new one, the Model Y's most affordable form, called the Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, gets up to 337 miles of range, while the Long Range All-Wheel Drive model can travel up to 311 miles.Compare Cheapest Luxury Electric Cars
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Cheapest Plug-In Hybrids
- Starting price:
- $29,485
- EV range:
- 39 miles
- Hybrid mpg:
- 48 mpg combined
2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
Thanks to its recent redesign, the Prius is cool now, and the plug-in hybrid model (formerly called the Prius Prime) is one of the cheapest PHEVs on sale today. This legendary hybrid has incredible fuel economy, with the EPA giving it estimates of 48 mpg… combined and an all-electric range of 39 miles on the base model. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid is the perfect middle ground between a hybrid and a full EV, making it a great choice for someone getting into electrification for the first time.- Starting price:
- $35,885
- EV range:
- 33 miles
- Hybrid mpg:
- 108 MPGe
2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
If you don’t want to go full EV yet, the plug-in hybrid version of the Kia Niro is a great way to bridge that gap while still getting some electric driving for your daily commute. Like the rest of the lineup, the small crossover received a dramatic redesign in… 2023 with futuristic styling, and Kia also gave it a bit more electric range. Per the EPA, the Niro Plug-in Hybrid gets up to 33 miles on a single charge, up from 26 miles on the previous model. Only available with front-wheel drive, the Niro also gets an impressive cabin full of the latest tech and a large touchscreen with a configurable touch panel below it for climate and media controls.- Starting price:
- $41,180
- EV range:
- 33 miles
- Hybrid mpg:
- 80 MPGe
2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
A plug-in hybrid SUV for around $40,000 is nothing to pass up, and Hyundai ensures the Tucson PHEV stands out with its angular design and exceptional fuel economy. PHEV models also come standard with all-wheel drive. It’ll get up to 80 MPGe combined and travel… up to 33 miles on the battery alone per the EPA’s testing for the previous model year.Compare Cheapest Plug-in Hybrids
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Fuel cost: Electric cars vs. gas cars
Comparing the costs of electricity required to run an electric car versus the costs of gasoline to power a regular car is still an arcane science with many variables. Charging at home overnight, for example, allows you to charge at off-peak hours, reducing your costs. If you charge during the day, you'll see those rates jump. If you often charge at work or an outside charging station, you'll need an account with one of the growing numbers of electricity providers. Generally speaking, electricity costs less than gasoline and its pricing is more stable. But there's a learning curve to understanding when it's cheapest to tap into the grid to top up your EV.
Fully electric cars vs. plug-in hybrids
Electric cars are just that: cars powered solely by electricity stored in a battery pack. Plug-in hybrids, on the other hand, use a regular gasoline engine paired with a battery pack and electric motor. The battery pack can be recharged from an electrical outlet or charging station, but it can also store energy recaptured during braking. Usually, the battery pack on a plug-in runs out of electricity within 20-40 miles, at which point the gas engine takes over, so you never need to worry about running out of juice. Full EVs require more thought, route planning, and an evolving knowledge of the location of charging stations. (Most onboard navigation systems can help locate stations and eliminate the guesswork in unfamiliar areas.)
Next steps
For many buyers, an electric car makes perfect sense. Even drivers with average commutes can often make it through a full workweek on a single charge. Electric cars offer a clean commuting alternative and are usually eligible to use carpool lanes with a single driver. And today's electric cars range from mainstream compact picks to vehicles with luxury-grade sport and comfort, so there's something for every budget. For drivers not quite ready to take the all-electric plunge, plug-in hybrids are an excellent alternative. When you're ready to explore the world of plug-in and electric cars, Edmunds can help you research EVs and find a great deal in your area.
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The EVs with the Longest Real-World Range
Wondering how far the longest-range electric vehicles can travel on a single charge? Here's our rundown of today's top range performers, powered by Edmunds' own real-world EV range testing. Whether you're new to the electric vehicle space or you're an EV owner looking to upgrade, Edmunds has the ratings and reviews you need to pick the right EV for you and the tools to make sure you get the best deal..jpg)
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