14 Cheapest Electric SUVs To Buy Right Now

Cheap for a reason might sound like a downer. But if you’re in the market for an affordable, practical EV, these SUVs could be the answer.

Fact: US gearheads like bigger cars, trucks, SUVs, and behemoths thirsting for gasoline are familiar sights on the highways and urban commutes. However, the automotive world is changing, and ever-stricter emissions laws are aggressively pushing the EV. Even Uncle Sam has gotten in on subsidizing buyers with tax incentives. At some point, every car will be green. EVs are far from perfect. When you run out of juice, they require longer pit stops, and the longer-term battery replacement issue will need addressing.

For now, small, affordable EVs are a reality that gearheads cannot escape, so you might as well embrace the idea now while there is still a choice.

Mustang Mach-E

First up, the Mustang Mach-E, despite its name, has little connection with a genuine Ford Mustang. However, it serves as a reminder of which direction every carmaker has taken—Crossover body designs combined with greener drivetrains aimed at saving the planet while carrying the entire family.

Once you have overcome the deletion of gasoline engines, the Mach-E is surprisingly rewarding to drive, thanks to an athletic motor and battery combination. Sure, it doesn’t have the aurally pleasing road of an engine, but it manages to put a smile on your face when you step on the quiet pedal. At $41,000 in base trim, twin electric motors produce 480 hp with enough torque to reach 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. 

Chevrolet Bolt-EV

SUVs come in all shapes and sizes, offering different on-road abilities and seating capabilities. Take the Chevrolet Bolt, once a frowned-upon mini-SUV that tanks to electrification, offers bargain green credentials if you live in the urban sprawl.

Undercutting the Mustang to the tune of $27,495, it’s a bargain that few gasoline-powered cars come close to matching. There are compromises, not least a 200 hp electric motor driving the front wheels, hampering the Bolt-EV’s athleticism. It’s not a deal breaker reaching sixty in 6.6 seconds, quicker than many internal combustion cars. Still, in a world where electricity usually means blistering acceleration, owners might be left wanting more.

Tesla Model Y

It’s hard to ignore Tesla, the world’s most successful EV maker, which has done more to go green than any other brand. And yet, fandom of the marque can be decisive. YouTube is awash with owners and their absurd tapping of the tail light with the car-sharing plug. Even so, the Model Y reached almost 500,000 buyers in 2023.

Admittedly, Tesla isn’t the first name that springs to mind in a value-for-money contest, yet owners can if they are willing to overlook the options list, drive away by parting with as little as $44,000. Base spec means a rear-drive layout only powered by a single electric motor and an 81 kWh Li-Ion battery pack with a range of 320 miles.

KIA Niro EV

KIA/Hyundai’s styling team sets the Korean auto giant apart from its rivals with modern, space-age-looking cars across its range. While some won’t be keen on the Niro SV’s looks, it’s hard to ignore the incredible size versus price ratio. One of the larger EV SUVs on the market, prices kick off at a surprising $30,960 for the Wind variant.

Sadly, Wind is a touch misleading. It boasts a single electric motor powering the front wheels, but budgetary constraints limit the Niro EVs’ performance to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. Despite a downgrade in overall performance, the KIA makes up for it with ample space for five adults and their luggage. Usability over range and performance isn’t that big of a compromise at this price point.

Hyundai Kona Electric SEL

Weighing in at $36,675, some four grand cheaper, the Kona Electric is cut from the same cloth as the Niro EV, raising the question: Is Hyundai a budget relation to KIA? On the face of it, no. Designed to stop passers-by in their tracks, the Kona looks fresh from the latest Sci-Fi movie with its full-width LED lighting.

However, look deeper into Kona’s spec sheet, and you will see that a familiar-sounding front-mounted single electric motor setup boasting 201 hp is nearly identical to its stablemate. Hyundai doesn’t openly promote Kona’s performance figures, preferring to advertise its range of 200 miles between charges.

MG ZS EV

Allowing for currency variations, the MG ZS EV is a bargain at $29,000, undercutting homemade and imported metal. The downside is that the MG is unavailable in the US due to tricky trade and manufacturing agreements. 

Uncle Sam’s loss, or just a budget build relying on a famous name from yesteryear? Regardless, the MG ZA EV has been popular with cash-conscious buyers. Under the skin, sole front-mounted electric motors come in two spec levels: 154 or 174 hp backed up by 258 ft-lb of torque leisurely running to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds. 

Volvo EX30

Cheap SUVs aren’t the sole domain of budget brands; premium carmakers recognizing the need for affordability and green have gotten in. Enter Volvo, the often-overlooked Swedish luxury carmaker famous for building tough and rugged cars. The EX30 then seems at odds with the car’s ethos. But at $36,245, the EX30 offers an affordable class in a competitive segment.

Touted as the brand’s entry-level SUV, the EX30 understandably has its share of compromises. On the inside, Volvo designers opted for large single displays, doing away with a dedicated instrument cluster. Overall, it’s very Tesla in a minimalistic way. Under the hood, entry-level cars feature a single electric motor putting out 268 hp, with dual motor upgrades available at a price.

Volkswagen ID.4

For decades, Volkswagen proudly stood by its advertising campaign of reassuringly solid build quality, commercials eagerly pointing out the solid thunk of VW doors closing. Now, that same build quality applies to its next-generation cars, the ID.4 picking up the brand image and adding EV powertrains to the recipe.

Eternally on par with the Tiguan, the ID.4 fits into the compact SUV segment, seating five and 30 cubic feet of stowage in the rear. Like most competitors, budget pricing affects the ID.4’s spec level. At the bottom end, a single motor setup hampers performance, with ID.4 needing 7 seconds to reach 60 mph. VW does offer a more powerful trim level, but the second motor option adds to the car’s otherwise cheap $39,735 asking price.

Mini Countryman SE ALL4

Immently inbound, BMW’s next Mini installments build on the iconic brand and image, adding some green credentials. Prices are set to begin at $45,000. When and where retro-influenced gearheads can get their hands on the Countryman SE ALL4 is a waiting game. BMW’s website states Fall 2024, with the brand taking reservations.

Mini to the Max? Every gearhead knows the Mini has increased in size since BMW took over, adding more bulges, seats, and doors and how the electrification process affects the car’s size. What BMW is promoting is the car’s impressive spec level. Stand-out numbers include a peak power output of 313 hp running on temporary boost, which, in theory, gives the Countryman SE a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds.

VinFast VF6

This one is for buyers on the lookout for something different. Newcomer VinFast is quickly making a name for itself through a range of affordable, modern-looking cars. At the forefront of its US ambitions, the VF6 is a subcompact SUV running on the carmaker’s front motor and front-drive chassis clad in a Pininfarina co-designed body.

Initial plans for two driving modes, Eco and Plus, will deliver up to 201 hp and place it in the same ballpark as KIA’s offerings. However, it’s the keen pricing that grabs buyers’ attention. Base spec Eco models start at $30,000, rising to $35,000 for Plus models with their bigger battery pack.

Toyota bZ4x

Toyota’s success in the hybrid market is well known, even if the Prius found more buyers in the Uber world. However, think of the Prius as a stepping stone toward fully electric, and it all makes sense. Out goes the dull liftback styling, and in comes the bZ4x adorned with big grills and oversized wheel arches.

Love it or hate it? Ignoring the goofy low front vent, Toyota has dared to be different cosmetically, allowing buyers to stand out for less cash than you might think. For just over $43,000, gearheads get a single electric motor developed with Aisin and Denso sending 201 hp to the front wheels. While Toyota does offer a dual motor setup, the power gains are minimal.

Fisker Ocean

Fisker is a name gearheads associate with failure, with Karma dropping like a stone in 2012. Gone are the days of underwhelming hybrid sports coupes; Fisker is back with its sights set on the SUV market. Gone are the hybrid powertrains; the Ocean is fully electric, packing a single front-mounted motor delivering up to 275 hp.

One of Fisker’s failures was its price structure; the Karma started at $102,000 and went upwards. In the Ocean, things have changed. Entry-level Sports models begin at a more reasonable $41,000, promising respectable performance. They cruise to sixty in 6.9 seconds while retaining a credible 360-mile range between recharges.

Honda Prologue

So far, the promise of affordable EV SUVs is limited to compact offerings. Honda, however, is entering the midsize segment with the Prologue. The size advantage is evident in a higher ride position and a roomier interior. The good news is that despite being more prominent, the Prologue isn’t beyond the reach of average buyers at $48,795.

Like its rivals, the entry-level Prologue must make do with a single front-drive motor setup. The differences aren’t as significant as the price deficit suggests, with Honda claiming 212 hp versus 288 hp for its premium package. Those numbers are backed up by a dash to sixty, taking 6.7 seconds versus 6 seconds for the pricier twin motor Prologue.

Nissan Ariya

Asian carmakers have taken the EV SUV to heart, producing more affordable green crossovers than any other region. Naturally, an early adopter of hybrid cars, Nissan has gone the distance—the Ariya slots into a crowded and highly competitive segment where prices rule more than athletic ability. Even so, there are options to suit every budget.

At the bottom end, Nissan delivers a premium feel for $40,980 without compromising on space. The Ariya, with its market-leading flat floor, easily accommodates four adults and swallows enough luggage for a long trip. Under the hood, single or twin motor options are available, the former fed by a 65 kWh battery delivering 220 miles between top-ups. The trade-off is speed or lack of it. In a drag race, Ariya is slower, taking 7.5 seconds.