What is the best electric car? InfoEVs top pick due to its generous range and robust performance and retains its value.
We researched the top EV brands and compared their electric car models by factors such as innovation, affordability, energy efficiency, and more to find the best cheap electric car and other honorable mentions.
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Price: $31,000
- Range: 259 miles
- Battery size: 65kWh
Despite the recalls plaguing all Bolt models, Chevy is deciding to bring it back after a series of delays. GM is promising that production will commence on May 9. It’ll arrive as a 2023 model, but it’ll be very similar to the last.
Before the recall setback, the 2022 Bolt EV was better than ever with a $5,500 lower starting price, 259 miles of range, and, arguably the most vital, a completely redesigned interior and exterior.
Despite all the progress, the two areas some find issues in are the low fast charge rate and the FWD powertrain, but for $31,000, it’s unbeatable in terms of range. If some tax credit passes, the Bolt could be a killer in GM’s lineup.
2023 Nissan Leaf
- Price: $27,800
- Range: 212 miles
- Battery size: 40kWh
The 2023 Leaf, a small four-door hatchback, was one of the first all-electric vehicles introduced in the US in 2011. It has improved over the years with greater range and additional safety technology; it also has a longer-range sibling, the Leaf Plus, with a bigger battery. For 2023, the Leaf will receive minor styling tweaks, with the lineup simplified to the standard Leaf S and the range-topping Leaf SV Plus.
The standard Leaf has a 40-kilowatt-hour battery and a standard 147-horsepower electric motor for a range of 149 miles. There are few steering wheels in the cabin, but there is a standard 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Leaf SV Plus, meanwhile, has a 62-kilowatt-hour battery that significantly increases range to 212 miles, and a more livable 214-horsepower engine.
2023 Mazda MX-30
- Price: $33,470
- Range: 100 miles
- Battery size: 35.5kWh
Mazda’s first all-electric vehicle sold in the U.S. The MX-30 went on sale in California in October and will be rolled out nationwide “in the coming years,” the automaker said.
It is an SUV-like hatchback with a coupe-style roof, half-hinged rear doors and a minimalist interior. Inside, eco-friendly materials include cork in the center console, animal-free upholstery and recycled plastic bottle fibers in the door trim.
The electric motor produces 144 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque and draws power from a 35.5-kilowatt-hour battery that drives the front wheels; AWD is not available.
Even for cheap EVs like the Leaf and Bolts, a combined range of just 100 miles is impressive, but Mazda offers some other perks, like a free car for a predetermined number of trips and $500 in ChargePoint credits to use for public charging or installing a Level 2 home charger.
2023 Kia Niro EV
- Price: $41,165
- Range: 253 miles
- Battery size: 64.8kWh
The Kia Niro EV is part of an all-electric hatchback lineup that also includes hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, all of which have been completely redesigned for the 2023 model year.
However, at the time of writing, pricing and range information for the 2023 Niro EV is not yet available, and sales have not yet begun. The 2022 EV, which is still on sale, shares a 64 kWh battery and 201 hp electric motor with the Hyundai Kona Electric (Hyundai and Kia are related automakers), but the more family-friendly Niro has a larger rear seat. A full range of driver assistance technologies are standard with DC fast charging of up to 100 kW.
2023 Polestar 2
- Price: $48,400
- Range: 220 miles
- Battery size: 78.0 kWh
If you want something different from the Tesla Model 3, but with similar specs and a comparable driving experience, look no further than the Polestar 2. With a panoramic roof and an Android tablet screen, this stylish electric car seamlessly connects to Google Maps, eliminating the need for a phone connection – it also has Spotify , radio and “Hey Google”.
You can even control the heated front seats (included) and the car’s temperature from your tablet. The driving experience also includes a digital driver display behind the wheel with multiple views to help you navigate where you need to go without the distraction of your phone.
Speaking of phones, you can actually open this car with your phone! Simply download the free Polestar app, link it to your Polestar ID and securely unlock your car with the touch of a door handle.
You can even set the car temperature in advance – perfect for hot days when the car feels like an oven, or cold days when you need to warm up. When it comes to the car’s design, the Polestar’s design roots can be traced back to Volvo, which is evident in the refined choices made throughout the vehicle.
Polestar 2’s sound is top-notch: the system delivers 250 watts of power through eight speakers, one of which is mounted under the hood, just below the windshield. The Polestar 2 is its own electric car with state-of-the-art features.
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