10 Electric Cars You’ll Probably Want to Avoid in 2025

Not every electric car out there is a winner, right? Honestly, 2025 has a ton of options, but some of them… well, let’s just say they make you wonder why they exist. Maybe the range is tiny, maybe the price is crazy for what you get, or maybe the tech just feels like it’s from last decade. So yeah, I thought I’d round up the ones I’d probably avoid if I were buying today. Some are fine for city runs, but for most people? Eh… better off looking elsewhere.

Nissan Leaf

Okay, so the Leaf. I mean, it’s like the OG, right? It was one of the first ones a lot of people got. But for 2025? Uh, it’s kinda feeling its age. The design is just so… familiar, you know? And that charging speed, it’s not even close to what the new guys are doing. It’s still using CHAdeMO, which is like… are we in 2015? I think you can get one for around, what, $30,000? Which seems okay, but then you realize you’re getting old tech. It’s a solid little car, don’t get me wrong, but it’s like that reliable flip phone in a world of smartphones. You’d probably just be happier with something else.

Mazda MX-30

Oh man, the MX-30. This one is a head-scratcher. Mazda makes such great driver’s cars, but this EV… it has like, what, 100 miles of range? Maybe a bit more? In 2025! That’s just not enough for most people, unless you literally never leave your neighborhood. And it’s not even that cheap, I think it starts around $35,000? For that? You could get a Bolt with way more range. It’s a shame because the interior is actually really nice, very minimalist and cool, but the range is such a dealbreaker. It’s like they made a beautiful coffee table but forgot to put a leg on it.

Audi Q4 e-tron

So the Audi Q4 e-tron… this is a tough one because, I mean, it’s an Audi. The badge, the interior feel, it’s all there. It feels premium. But honestly? The range is just… mediocre. For a luxury brand in 2025, you expect more. And the tech interface can be a bit fussy. I think it starts in the low $50,000s, which is a lot for what is essentially a fancy VW ID.4. You’re paying for the rings on the grille. If you want an Audi, maybe just save up for the better e-tron models, you know?

Chevrolet Bolt EV

Wait, hold on, the Bolt is actually a great value car. Why is it on a list to avoid? Oh right, because they’re discontinuing it! Or they just did? Yeah, for the 2025 model year, it’s probably gone or just old stock. So you’d be buying a car that’s essentially being phased out. Which is a shame because for like $27,000 it’s a steal. But long-term, with no new models, support might get weird. It’s like buying the last DVD player at the store—it works great now, but everything is streaming.

BMW iX

Okay, the BMW iX. Uhm, not gonna lie, the looks are… controversial. It’s a very, very bold design. And the price? Whoa, it starts around $85,000 and just goes up from there. For that money, you get amazing performance and a gorgeous interior, like a really nice lounge on wheels. But that grille… I just can’t. And for that price, there are so many other incredible options. It feels like a statement piece, and I’m not sure I want to make that particular statement.

Mini Cooper SE

The Mini Electric is so much fun to drive, honestly. It’s zippy, it’s cute, it handles like a go-kart. But the range… ugh, the range. It’s like 110 miles on a good day. In 2025, that’s just not practical for most folks unless it’s strictly a second car for city errands. And it’s not cheap for what it is, hovering around $35,000. It’s an emotional purchase, not a logical one. It’s like buying a really expensive, delicious cupcake for dinner. Amazing for a moment, but you’ll be hungry again in an hour.

Volvo XC40 Recharge

This one pains me because I love Volvo’s safety and design. The XC40 Recharge is a solid, handsome little SUV. But it’s just… inefficient. The range isn’t great for the category, and it’s a bit thirsty on the electrons. It starts at about $55,000, which is a lot for the package. You’re kinda paying for the Volvo name and that Scandinavian cool factor. But compared to something like a Tesla Model Y or even a Hyundai Ioniq 5, it just doesn’t quite measure up on the tech and efficiency front. It’s a safe bet, but maybe not a smart one.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Select

Wait, the Mach-E is awesome, why is it here? Okay, specifically the base “Select” trim with the standard-range battery. That one, I think you should avoid. The range is okay, but the performance is just… meh. For a car with the Mustang name, it doesn’t feel very Mustang-y. And it’s still around $45,000. For that money, the jump to the Premium trim or even looking at a different brand gets you so much more car. The base model feels like a compromise, and you shouldn’t compromise on an EV this expensive.

Porsche Taycan Base

A Porsche? On an avoid list? Hear me out. The base Taycan, which starts at… oh man, like $90,000, is an incredible driving machine. The handling is sublime. But the real-world range, especially if you drive it like a Porsche, is not fantastic. And the options list… you could easily add another $30,000. So you’re paying supercar money for a car that might give you range anxiety. It’s for the person who wants the badge and the feel more than pure EV practicality. It’s a masterpiece, but maybe not a sensible daily driver.

Genesis GV60

The GV60 is so cool looking, like a spaceship. And the interior is fantastic. But… it’s pricey. It starts in the high $50,000s, and it’s based on the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. Those two are just… better values. You’re paying a premium for the Genesis luxury treatment, which is nice, but is it that much nicer? I don’t know. It feels like you’re buying the designer version of a perfectly great high-street brand.

Lexus RZ

The Lexus RZ… hmm. It’s comfortable, it’s quiet, it’s a Lexus. But the range and performance are just underwhelming for 2025. Seriously, for a luxury brand, the numbers are behind the curve. And it’s another one that starts around $60,000. You’re buying the Lexus reputation for reliability and comfort, which is huge, I get it. But as an EV? It feels like they played it too safe. It’s like a very comfortable, very reliable horse and buggy in the early days of cars.

VinFast VF 8

And finally, VinFast. This is a new one from Vietnam. And honestly? The reviews have been… not great. There are lots of reports of software glitches, a bumpy ride, and just general teething problems. It’s priced around $50,000, I think? For a new, unproven brand asking that much money, it’s a huge risk. It’s like being a beta tester for a new social media app, but for your car. I’d wait a few years for them to work out the kinks.