Buying an electric vehicle isn’t easy. The technology is new enough that companies are making significant upgrades every year, and different enough that your combustion-car brand allegiances probably aren’t very useful. The best electric cars today aren’t made by the same companies that made our favorite gas cars, and that’s a good thing.
It does, however, make navigating your options harder. That’s why I’ve collected the best electric cars you can buy right now, organized by what you might be looking for. All of these opinions come from the editorial staff of InsideEVs, who test dozens of EVs per year, all across the world, to give you the best possible advice.
In addition to range testing, charge testing and general reviews, we’ve also been keeping an eye on the changing tariff and political landscape. So with the market uncertain, upheaved and constantly changing, let’s take a look at your best options right now, sorted by segment and price.
How We Test
InsideEVs editors have dozens of years of combined experience testing cars. We also spend every day reporting on the ever-changing electric car landscape, ensuring you have the latest information to make an informed decision. Throughout the year, we test dozens of EVs, at first-drive events, during week-long reviews and during Breakthrough EV testing. From the streets of Shanghai to our own driveways, we drive everything so we can give you the best possible information.
All vehicles are evaluated on the basis of two key questions: How good are they as cars, and how good are they as EVs. For the former category, editors focus on how comfortable, easy-to-use and enjoyable they are in day-to-day life. We dive into the infotainment systems, pore over options lists and cover the latest breakthroughs in technology. Then, we evaluate their range, performance, software and efficiency to determine how good each vehicle is as an electric car. The best EVs make ownership hassle-free and fun, with excellent automatic route planning and efficient drivetrains.
The goal is to find the cars that strike the right balance. For our picks, read on.
The Best Overall EV For Most People: 2025 Tesla Model Y
The 2025 Tesla Model Y Launch Series (Euro-spec)
Photo by: Andrei Nedelea
Base Price: $46,630 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit)
Range: 327-357 miles
Drive Type: Rear or all-wheel drive
You likely have your own opinion on Tesla as a company. But there’s a reason that the company sells more EVs than anyone else here. Its mainstream products still offer a combination of value, performance and tech leadership unrivaled in the U.S. market.
The new Tesla Model Y Long Range is the ultimate proof. The Model Y has always offered plenty of range and space at its price point, but the revised version has fixed the old model’s janky ride quality and chintzy interior feeling. In our testing, the new one was a quieter, comfier, more refined version of a model already good enough to be the best-selling vehicle in the world.
Part of the appeal is that you can truly use a Model Y as your only vehicle, and drive it anywhere in the country without worrying too much about range. With its superb thermal management system, fantastic route-planning software, excellent range and solid cold-weather performance, it can fit almost any lifestyle. That doesn’t make it the best option for everyone, but it’s certainly the safest bet.
Read our full review here.
The Best Overall EV, If You Don’t Want A Tesla: 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Photo by: Patrick George
Base Price: $44,075 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit)
Range: 245-318 miles
Drive Type: Rear- or all-wheel-drive
A modern Tesla is a specific flavor that you either love or hate. The no-frills interior is clean and modern, but to some it’s spare and cheap. The software is better than any other car’s, but you have to control everything through that screen.
Some folks want an electric car without having to re-learn how a car works, and for those people, I tend to recommend the Hyundai Ioniq 5—typically the all-wheel-drive model.
As Editor-in-Chief Patrick George noted when he drove the updated 2025 model, the new Ioniq 5 takes one of the best EVs on sale and makes it better. The Ioniq 5 still offers blazing-fast charging speeds thanks to its 800-volt architecture, but now it also gets a North American Charging System (NACS) port for native Tesla Supercharger access, plus a dirt-road-friendly XRT model.
The Ioniq 5 drives and rides well, with an airy and spacious interior. Its retro-futurist vibe isn’t for everybody, and in my experience, Hyundai’s software is generations behind Tesla’s, but the Ioniq 5 brings a lot of good stuff to the table. With its affordable price and impressive range—up to 290 miles with AWD—the Ioniq 5 is an everyman EV that feels more familiar than a Tesla. I think of it as the EV market’s Toyota Rav4, for better and for worse.
The Best Affordable EVs
Photo by: Kevin Williams/InsideEVs
Base Price: $34,995 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit)
Range: 285-319 miles
Drive Type: Front- or all-wheel-drive
The Chevy Equinox EV was our 2024 Breakthrough EV Of The Year based on one major advantage: The damn thing’s cheap. For $35,000—or under $28,000 after the tax credit—you can get a comfortable, spacious SUV with 319 miles of range and a slick Google-powered infotainment system.
That doesn’t make it perfect. During my testing, I noticed its ponderous ride quality and absurdly heavy curb weight. Like my personal Chevrolet Blazer EV—with which the Equinox is closely related—I also heard some rattling noises over bumps. And with its relatively low-voltage pack, it also isn’t the fastest to charge.
But none of these things undermine the core value proposition: For under $30,000, you can get an EV that can handle road trips, family hauling and commuting alike. Add in optional Super Cruise driver assistance and you get a well-rounded electric alternative to any gas-powered compact crossover.
The latest version of the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Photo by: InsideEVs
Base Price: $34,425 (Only eligible for $7,500 tax credit if leased)
Range: 200-261 miles
Drive Type: Front-wheel-drive
The Hyundai Kona EV is a great option if you want a more affordable EV that still offers enough range and charging performance for occasional road trips. It’s got unique styling and a cool interior. After driving a Kona EV around Columbus, Ohio for a week, Staff Writer Kevin Williams found it more charming than Hyundai’s pricier, more advanced EVs. So if you want something cheap, give this and its cousin, the Kia Niro EV, a look.
The Best Compact Electric SUVs
2025 Tesla Model Y Launch Series (Euro-spec)
Photo by: Andrei Nedelea
Base Price: $46,630 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit)
Range: 327-357 miles
Drive Type: Rear or all-wheel drive
I’ve already explained why the Tesla Model Y Long Range is likely the best all-around EV you can buy, so naturally, it also may be the best option in its segment. I’d argue that Tesla still designs compelling EVs, even if I’m too put off by the barebones interiors to ever consider one myself. If you like the interior, and you aren’t put off by the company or its CEO, there’s a good chance that a Model Y will be the best car you’ve ever owned. Read the full breakdown here.
Photo by: Patrick George
Base Price: $44,075 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit)
Range: 245-318 miles
Drive Type: Rear- or all-wheel-drive
The Ioniq 5 is the runner-up here, with more space than the Kia EV6, more sophisticated technology than the Ford Mustang Mach-E and better driving dynamics and ride quality than the Chevy Equinox EV. It’s still flawed, but multiple editors at InsideEVs have tested all of them, and we all pretty much agree that the Ioniq 5 is the best of the lot. Read the full review here.
Editor-in-chief Patrick George's personal EV6.
Photo by: InsideEVs
Base Price: $44,375 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit)
Range: 237-319 miles.
Drive Type: Rear or all-wheel drive
The Kia EV6 trades some cargo space for sleeker styling, a slightly sportier image and better color options. InsideEVs editor-in-chief Patrick George liked testing the EV6 so much he leased one. It’s nice to drive, super quick to charge and now offers a Tesla-style NACS plug for charging at Superchargers. If I had to go get a new EV today, I’d probably take home an EV6 Wind RWD, which offers incredible range and better driving dynamics.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT
Photo by: Patrick George
Base Price: $40,685 (Only eligible for $7,500 credit if leased)
Range: 230-320 miles
Drive Type: Rear or all-wheel drive
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is consistently one of America’s best-selling EVs, and it’s no wonder why. Ford copied Tesla’s formula to deliver a compact EV with plenty of range, a compelling price point and a tech-forward user experience. It’s not quite as fleshed-out as the Tesla, nor is it as expensive feeling as the other cars in this list, but it’s pretty fun to drive and easy to live with. I loved testing the silly-fun Mach-E Rally, and I’d happily own one of those or a rear-wheel-drive big-battery Mach-E.
The Best Three-Row Electric SUVs & Vans
Photo by: Tim Levin/InsideEVs
Base Price: $60,555 (Eligible for $7,500 credit)
Range: 311-335 miles
Drive Type: Rear or all-wheel drive
Senior Reporter Tim Levin drove the Hyundai Ioniq 9 near Hyundai’s new American EV factory in Georgia, and called it the “ultimate family EV.” It’s not hard to see why. The Ioniq 9 offers an incredible blend of luxury, technology and value, with plenty of space to haul any family. The only tricky bit is the price: While the Ioniq 9 is among the most attainable electric three-rows, these vehicles are still more expensive than their internal-combustion competitors. Hyundai and Kia products tend to have good lease deals, though, so keep an eye out for those.
Photo by: Kevin Williams/InsideEVs
Base Price: $56,395 (Newer models are eligible for $7,500 credit)
Range: 230-304 miles
Drive Type: Rear or all-wheel drive
Kia’s three-row hauler was the runner-up in last year’s Breakthrough Awards testing, the only other contender to get any votes. It looks great, it drives well and it offers a ton of range. Like the Hyundai, it’s pricey in its most desirable trims, but it’s even easier to find cheap lease deals on the Kia. Try to find an updated model with a NACS port which—combined with the EV9’s spacious cabin and class-leading charging speeds—should make it a road trip monster.
Photo by: Kevin Williams/InsideEVs
Base Price: $66,040 (Eligible for $7,500 credit)
Range: 231-234 miles
Drive Type: Rear or all-wheel drive
If you’re less worried about road trips, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz may be your best bet. The reborn electric bus has received plenty of criticism for its paltry 234-mile range (231 miles if you get all-wheel drive), but besides that it’s a charming vehicle. It looks great and has one of the best third-row seats in the business. But after driving the ID. Buzz, Kevin Williams and I were both disappointed that VW didn’t do anything unique with the bus concept. It’s a familiar Volkswagen EV experience in a charming new wrapper.
Read our full review here.
The Best Electric Luxury SUVs
Photo by: InsideEVs
Base Price: $76,325 (Only eligible for $7,500 credit if leased)
Range: 279-364 miles
Drive Type: All-wheel drive
I first drove the BMW iX four years ago, at the first-drive event in Germany. It was one of the first cars to get me excited about EVs. With plenty of range, gobs of torque, an ultra-efficient motor and a load of space, the iX is a luxurious electric multi-tool. Its styling may be controversial and its cabin may have a few usability quirks, but it’s one of the most refined and high-quality EVs on sale today. Check out Tim Stevens' latest long-term ownership review for the full story.
2025 Rivian R1S
Photo by: InsideEVs
Base Price: $77,900 (Only eligible for $7,500 credit if leased)
Range: 270-410 miles
Drive Type: All-wheel drive
In the automotive world, there are really only two companies that I think do excellent software. I’ve tested systems from almost every brand, and only Teslas and Rivians consistently impress me. That makes the Rivian R1S feel like a more futuristic and sleek electric SUV than its competition. It’s also extremely capable off-road and offers plenty of range. I just prefer the iX because it’s more efficient, offers a higher-quality interior and feels more substantial. I recommend driving both, but read our Rivian R1S review here.
We've spent more time with the larger Lyriq (pictured), but the cheaper Optiq is also a good option.
Base Price: $60,090 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit)
Range: 319-326
Drive Type: Rear- or all-wheel drive
When Cadillac first claimed it was aiming to be a leader in the EV world, I rolled my eyes. That was around 2020, and already my skepticism has been proven wrong. Cadillac has rolled out stylish, comfortable, well-equipped EVs in a variety of segments, and the sales charts reflect that. The Cadillac Lyriq is more popular than its German competitors thanks to its solid software, spacious cabin, long range and striking design. The Optiq is smaller, cheaper, and—with Super Cruise Standard—one of the most intriguing luxury EV values. Read our first drive of the Optiq here.
Photo by: Audi
Base Price: $65,095 (Only eligible for $7,500 tax credit if leased)
Range: 307-321 miles
Drive Type: Rear- or all-wheel drive
I haven’t been a fan of most Volkswagen Group EVs, and I’m not alone in that opinion. The original Audi E-tron was middling and had serious quality issues, and I’m not a fan of the ID.4. But VW has learned plenty of lessons from its early attempts, and the Q6 E-tron is proof of that. It’s a generational leap forward in technology that left Tim Levin impressed during his first-drive experience. Check that out here.
The Best Electric Trucks
Off-roading in the Ford F-150 Lightning
Photo by: Ford
Base Price: $66,235 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit)
Range: 240-320 miles
Drive Type: All-wheel drive
I do not consider any of the electric pickups on sale to be incredible values. All of them are either too expensive or not capable enough, or both. The F-150 Lightning with the extended-range pack strikes me as the best balance, with good-enough range and charging specs in a refined and familiar package.
It helps, too, that almost all of the accessories available for the gas F-150 will work on the Lightning, too. It’s not quite cheap enough to justify itself over a hybrid or gas-powered truck, but those who don’t mind the premium price will get a relatively premium experience. Still, many buyers should consider hybrids in this segment.
Photo by: Patrick George
Base Price: $71,900 (Only eligible for $7,500 credit if leased)
Range: 270-420 miles
Drive Type: All-wheel drive
With a blank check, the Rivian R1T Tri-Motor is probably the truck I’d buy. The R1T offers stellar on-road performance and more off-road capability than most buyers will use. I love the integrated air compressor, the gear tunnel and the software experience. I really loved sliding R1Ts around in the mud during a Rivian event in Washington, too. Unfortunately, though, the R1T is expensive to buy and pricey to repair, making it a stellar lifestyle vehicle but not a full replacement for hard-working pickups. For a full take on it, check out our review.
Base Price: $54,895 (Eligible for $7,500 credit)
Range: 286-493 miles
Drive Type: All-wheel drive
There’s one common criticism I hear about the Lightning and Rivian from gas truck guys. They dismiss the R1T and Lightning as rich men’s playthings, not capable of the heavy-duty hauling they do. Now, most buyers aren’t towing long distances, but those who do will appreciate that the Silverado EV Work Truck offers up to 493 miles of range.
Even in its mid-grade form, it offers over 400 miles of range. That’s enough headroom to be able to tow significant distances between stops, with serious payload and towing figures to boot. It’s more cumbersome to drive than the Lightning and still expensive, as Patrick George learned when testing the RST, but the Silverado EV is still the most capable electric truck on sale.
The Best Electric Sedans
Base Price: $42,490 (Eligible for $7,500 credit)
Range: 298-363 miles.
Drive Type: Rear or all-wheel drive
Tesla may make the best electric SUV, but its sedan is even better. The Model 3 rides well, drives well and offers a seamless software experience. It offers all the range you will ever need at an attainable price, too. The downside is that the Model 3 takes the “no buttons” approach to the stupid level. It has no turn signal stalks and no gear shifter. A little bit of padding and some ambient lighting can’t hide that the interior is as boring as ever, either. But if you want a sedan that offers a fleshed-out, hassle-free EV experience, the Model 3 is still the car to beat.
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Limited AWD Review
Base Price: $39,045 (Only eligible for $7,500 credit if leased)
Range: 240-342 miles
Drive Type: Rear or all-wheel drive
The Ioniq 6 is Hyundai’s answer to the Model 3, with a unique fastback design. It will sprint from 10-80% in just 18 minutes and go up to 342 miles on a charge, making it one of the best road-trip EVs available at any price. I liked how the rear-wheel-drive model drives, too. It was tail-happy and precise to drive, far more engaging than any SUV. The small trunk and controversial styling may scare off some buyers, but as I said after testing it, it's my favorite EV on sale. In 2026 it will get even better with the addition of a NACS port.
Photo by: InsideEVs
Base Price: $59,075 (Only eligible for $7,500 credit if leased)
Range: 227-318 miles
Drive Type: Rear or all-wheel drive
BMW was one of the few companies to really nail its first long-range EVs. When it came out, the i4 proved that BMW could produce a compelling and competitive EV on a gas-car platform, and the company has ran with that formula to make the i5 and i7. During multiple experiences with the i4, InsideEVs editors have been consistently charmed by the i4’s pleasant driving experience and lovely interior. Its buck-tooth styling may not be for everyone, but it’s one of the few EVs that seems to be universally liked.
The Lucid Air Pure is the most efficient EV you can buy.
Photo by: Tim Levin/InsideEVs
Base Price: $71,400 (Only eligible for $7,500 credit if leased)
Range: 420-512 miles
Drive Type: Rear or all-wheel drive
Lucid cares about efficiency. The start-up is laser-focused on it, which is why the Lucid Air Pure is the most efficient EV on sale, and why the Lucid Air Grand Touring is the first U.S.-market EV with over 500 miles of range. It packs world-beating range in a package that’s stylish and sophisticated to drive, though during Breakthrough EV testing, I didn’t love the Air’s software experience, and I found it a bit annoying to live with. I’m also not in love with the fact that the company is majority owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, though, as with Tesla, some people may be able to separate the art from the artist.
Best Performance EVs
Whether you get the hatchback or the sedan, the Taycan is a riot to drive.
Photo by: Mack Hogan/InsideEVs
Base Price: $102,550 (Only eligible for $7,500 credit if leased)
Range: 252-318 miles
Drive Type: Rear or all-wheel drive
There are really only two production EVs that I would feel comfortable lapping around a race track: The Porsche Taycan and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Because the latter is a crossover, the Porsche wins for the best on-track EV. It is blisteringly fast and can handle the abuse of repeated lapping, which can wreak havoc on other cars’ brakes, powertrain and cooling system. The Taycan has great steering, too, and offers up to 1,092 horsepower. If anyone thinks EVs can’t be quicker than gas cars, the Taycan will prove them wrong.
The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally is extremely fun to slide in the dirt.
Base Price: $61,180 (Only eligible for $7,500 credit if leased)
Range: 265 miles
Drive Type: All-wheel drive
Ask me for the most fun EV, however, and I’d say the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally. It’s not as sophisticated or precise as the Taycan or the Ioniq 5 N, but it also takes itself less seriously. It’s built for sliding around on muddy roads, and it shines in that environment. Driving a Mach-E Rally through the mud at DirtFish was one of the most fun moments my job last year, and I think a lot of people would enjoy the Mach-E Rally’s blend of playfulness and practicality. The Mach-E GT is also an option, though it’s not nearly as charming to me. Read my full Mach-E Rally review here.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is one of the few EVs that can handle being abused on race track.
Photo by: DW Burnett / Motor1
Base Price: $67,675 (Only eligible for $7,500 credit if leased)
Range: 221 miles
Drive Type: All-wheel drive
I was ready to hate the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s silly fake dual-clutch shifting. Then I tried it at Laguna Seca, and I was hooked. The 5 N’s incredibly convincing imitation of a transmission was not only fun, it was useful, giving me audio cues to help me gauge my own speed on track. Combined with sharp steering, drift mode and plenty of silly performance features, the Ioniq 5 N is just an all-around hoot. I think it’s a little expensive and severe for most electric Hyundai crossover buyers, but those who are open to it will get a truly thrilling car.
2025 Tesla Model 3 Performance (Euro-Spec)
Photo by: Andrei Nedelea
Base Price: $54,990 (Eligible for $7,500 credit)
Range: 298 miles
Drive Type: All-wheel drive
Not everyone wants a track-focused performance machine or a silly toy. Some people want a normal, everyday car that can also blitz down a backroad and put a smile on their face. As our man Andrei reported after testing it, the new Model 3 Performance is still excellent at that. The car is great to drive and offers all the day-to-day practicality of Tesla’s original mainstream product. It’s a car that owners tend to love, and that even skeptics seem to enjoy driving. It's far cheaper than the Hyundai and Ford, too, so it's definitely the best option for all but the most hardcore enthusiasts.
Conclusion
It is a confusing and difficult time to keep up with the EV world. That’s why we’re getting more focused on how we bring you EV stories and guides. We want to provide information that serves you, not automakers. This list is an attempt to be as exhaustive as possible, while recognizing the limits of our own tastes and perspectives. But as automakers continue to improve upon their vehicles, we’ll be focused on keeping you up to date. That way, when you do go electric, you’ll do so with the confidence necessary to make the right choice.
Take a look at our other guides below for more helpful information, or subscribe here to get our exclusive columns and stories sent directly to your inbox:
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