The Best Used Electric Cars on a Budget

Electric vehicles don’t have to cost a fortune. On the used market, several models offer strong range, reliability, and real-world practicality without breaking the bank. These are the best used electric cars to consider if you want EV benefits on a budget.

Nissan Leaf

oh man, the Leaf… it’s like that friend who’s been around forever, kinda boring but still there when you need ‘em. my neighbor had one, used to plug it into an extension cord out his window, looked ridiculous. but it just worked. for around, what, eight to ten grand now? it’s dependable, cheap therapy on wheels. smells weirdly plasticky inside though, like melted lego.

Chevy Bolt

this one’s a little zippier, like if the Leaf drank espresso. i test drove one couple years ago and it felt how do i say awake. but also kinda cramped? if you’ve got, i dunno, $15k-ish lying around, it’s a steal. except the recall thing freaks people out. every time i parked it i wondered if it might, uh, light up.

Tesla Model 3

people either worship it or hate it, no in-between. i borrowed a friend’s once and, honestly, it felt like driving an iPhone. clean, cool, but soulless. still, if you can find a used one under $25k (and some are floating around now), it’s kinda hard not to want it. autopilot nags though. like constantly.

BMW i3

the i3 is… how do i describe it… like a quirky bird. doors open weird. it feels futuristic in that 2014 way, like “this is the future!” but then the range is meh. still, there’s something charming about it. might be ten grand now? smells like high-end glue inside.

Hyundai Kona Electric

underrated. like, big time. i drove one for a bit and it’s just so normal which is weirdly refreshing. almost like “yeah, this is just a car that happens to be electric.” price-wise, $18k maybe. seats got that soft-fake-leather vibe though. sticks to your legs in summer. not fun.

Kia Niro EV

it’s like the Kona’s cousin who studied abroad and came back more confident. i remember sitting in one thinking, “this feels… right.” and then I spoiled it by looking at the price. around $20k used now, which isn’t terrible. but it has this cheap interior that tries so hard to not feel cheap.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

okay, i know, not technically “cheap” but i saw a used one for like $28k and almost convinced myself it was a good idea. it looks so good in red. and it actually moves. interior though? whack. like ford tried to copy tesla’s vibe but ended up with a giant tablet and weird fake leather smell.

Mini Cooper SE

this one surprised me. it’s small, yeah, but fun. like, you smile driving it. range is trash (like 110 miles if you’re lucky) but around town? perfect. maybe $16k used. also, something about it smells like fabric softener and old coffee.

Volkswagen ID.4

hmm, mixed feelings. it’s comfy. like, road-trip comfy. but the software feels like a bad beta test. still, if you get one used around $25k, it’s a lot of car. that German solidness thing? still there. i just wish the infotainment system didn’t take five years to respond.

Tesla Model S (older ones)

oh boy. used Model S cars are like… rolling dice. when they’re good, they’re magical. when they’re not, it’s monthly service nightmares. but man, the feel of one even an old 2015 one still makes you grin. $22k for something that once cost almost six figures. battery degradation’s a thing though. and the handles. oh god, the handles.