Cheapest Electric Cars You Can Buy in 2023 From Kia, Chevy, Toyota
By: Tim Levin (Business Insider)
Going electric can cost an arm and a leg.
These are the best electric cars for budget-conscious shoppers from brands like Kia, Chevy, and Volkswagen.
Current politics kinda bores me. Same old - same old.
So I'll be posting other stuff that does interest me. Like electric vehicles.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Anyone looking to go electric on a budget is sure to be dismayed by the general state of the battery-powered car market.
A new Ford F-150 Lightning starts at nearly $60,000. Tesla's popular Model Y cost almost $70,000 before a recent cut dropped it into the mid-$50,000 range. Electric vehicles from exciting upstarts Rivian and Lucid cost even more — if you can get your hands on one.
But with more electric options on the market than ever before, there are some lower-priced models on sale too.
We've found the 11 cheapest new EVs you can buy in 2023. Note that these prices don't account for the $7,500 federal tax incentive for plug-in purchases. Some models qualify for it right now (as indicated below), but the regulations are still in flux.
Chevrolet Bolt EV
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV. Chevrolet
Retail price: $26,500
Environmental Protection Agency-estimated range: 259 miles
Qualifies for EV tax credit
Chevy's little electric hatchback has been around since 2016 and got a comprehensive refresh for the 2022 model year that brought sleeker, more modern looks. With 259 miles of range and bargain-bin price, the Bolt provides excellent driving range per dollar.
Chevrolet Bolt EUV
The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV. Chevrolet
Retail price: $27,800
EPA-estimated range: 247 miles
Qualifies for EV tax credit
Chevy recently introduced a big brother for the Bolt EV, the Bolt EUV.
It takes the Bolt's underlying tech and adapts it into a small SUV with a higher driving position and a more spacious interior. It's the first Chevy to offer Super Cruise, General Motors' hands-free driving system. But it lacks all-wheel drive, which may disappoint some SUV buyers.
Nissan Leaf
2023 Nissan Leaf. Nissan
Retail price: $27,800
EPA-estimated range: 149-212 miles
Qualifies for EV tax credit
Like the Bolt, the Nissan Leaf has been around the block a few times. But it's gotten some important updates since its launch more than a decade ago. The revamped-for-2023 Leaf gets some styling updates and up to 212 miles of range — more than double the 2011 version.
Hyundai Kona Electric
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric. Hyundai
Retail price: $33,550
EPA-estimated range: 258 miles
The Hyundai Kona comes in both gas and electric versions. The base Kona EV delivers healthy amounts of range, a 201-horsepower motor, and a smattering of standard safety tech like blind-spot monitoring.
Mazda MX-30
Mazda MX-30. Mazda
Retail price: $34,110
EPA-estimated range: 100 miles
Mazda's first electric model disappoints in the all-important range department. But it still could suffice for a short commute or a second car.
Mini Cooper SE
The Mini Cooper SE. BMW Group
Retail price: $34,225
EPA-estimated range: 114 miles
The 2022 Mini Cooper SE retailed for just under $30,000. But like milk, eggs, and practically everything else, the little EV has been hit by inflation hard. Without much range, it'll be better suited for bopping around town than long-haul journeys.
Volkswagen ID.4
The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro promises 275 miles of range. Volkswagen
Retail price: $38,995
EPA-estimated range: 209-275 miles
Qualifies for EV tax credit
The ID.4 is sleek, spacious, and approachable. Bringing production to the US let VW drop the model's price to below $40,000 — and enabled the ID.4 to qualify for the new EV tax credit, which is only for vehicles manufactured in North America. But it still might be a good idea to shell out a few thousand dollars more for the larger battery option and extra range.
Kia Niro EV
The 2023 Kia Niro EV. Kia
Retail price: $39,550
EPA-estimated range: 253 miles
The Kia Niro gets bold new looks for the 2023 model year. Like the Kona it shares a platform with, the Niro has 201 horsepower, generous driving range, and lots of standard safety features.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5. Hyundai
Retail price: $41,450
EPA-estimated range: 220-303 miles
The Ioniq 5 looks straight out of a sci-fi flick, but that's not all it has going for it. It also benefits from super-fast charging, up to 303 miles of range, and a modern, uncluttered interior.
Toyota BZ4X
The Toyota BZ4X electric SUV. Toyota
Retail price: $42,000
EPA-estimated range: 242-252 miles
Toyota has been slower than rivals to get into the EV game, and the BZ4X is its first modern offering. It features bold looks and available all-wheel drive, but it's only being sold in limited quantities.
Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model 3. Tesla
Retail price: $43,990
EPA-estimated range: 272-358 miles
Qualifies for EV tax credit
The Model 3, Tesla's first true mass-market offering, is arguably the car that sparked today's mad dash to an electric future.
After a rare price cut, the entry-level sedan costs $43,990 and provides 272 miles of driving range. An extra $10,000 gets you the Performance version, which boosts range to 315 miles, adds all-wheel drive, and drops the car's 0-60-mph time to a blistering 3.1 seconds.
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Despite 20% TVA, "accessible" EVs are more common in Europe than in the US. For example. VW offers its ID.3, white Americans get only the ID.4. I have some guesses about motives...
I'd buy a Bolt EUV, but I don't qualify for any tax rebate... since I pay no taxes in the US.
Other EU-only cars are Citroën's C4, Renault' Megane, and some Stellantis siblings. The cheapest car is the Dacia Spring.
I own a 2019 Mini Cooper S and would consider the new SE but the range is unacceptable. I cannot imagine what prompts BMW to offer an e-vehicle with a range less than 200 miles.
What's your normal driving pattern? Could you charge at home?
A very large majority of Americans would be just fine with the Mini, and a level 1 charger. Bigger motors and batteries require longer charging times, for no real driving advantage. People without home charging are in a different situation.
I remember when 0 to 60 in ten seconds was good, because it assured easy merge onto the Interstate. Lots of cars did low teens. Today's (accessible) EVs are in the seven -eight range.
IMHO, manufacturers know they have bigger margins when they sell more expensive products, so they're not defending lower-range options. That will change when the Chinese arrive, as they have in Europe.
I could charge at home for most every case. However I take occasional trips that are over 150 miles (one direction).
There certainly are people who need only commute short distances and the SE would work for them. But I think they drew the line too early. Possibly they do not have enough battery space to give a longer run.
For a 200 mile trip, you'd take a bathroom break at about the 125 mark, then charge at your destination. Invert for the return. Hardly any difference in time, compared to an ICE.
ICEs have accustomed us to not thinking about fuel. And sometimes running out of gas. 😀 With EVs, we'll have to get used to planning any trip that's not in our normal schedule.
The fastest charge for an SE mini is 35 minutes.
.
I would have to check my route to ensure that a suitable charger is available. I could live with 35 minutes (as opposed to the 5 minutes to fill with gasoline), but that is already pushing my patience.
Your "bathroom breaks" would only be partial charges, since you're not far from your destination. So probably not more than fifteen minutes.
And yes, you would have to map the chargers. Apps do that nicely, now. Used to be a problem, but not now.
As I live in the SE corner of Cochise County in Douglas, I take frequent day trips to Tucson and Phoenix. Tucson is a 250 to 260 mile round trip and Phoenix even more so and that means pushing the envelope on range. Until the technology is available to significantly increase battery capacity and range, I'll stick to my trusty Chevy Silverado 1500 pickup until the larger EV's prices come down.
Do you usually make the drive in one sitting, or do you usually take a break along the way? If you take a break, an EV is fine for you.
As they are usually for medical appointments, I try to do the trips in one sitting up and back to minimize time on the road. My break is once I get to Tucson or Phoenix.
Welp.... That would mean one of two things: change of habit or bigger (more expensive) battery.
I think that a few years down the line, we have the possibility of different sizes of battery and motor. A case like this would be a medium size for both, for easy Interstate speed and 300 miles range. Today, to get the range you must also get a big motor or two or three, giving you great performance but poor efficiency.
Yep.
Audi is coming out with more but I imagine they will be expensive.
Audis are always up-market. Buyers expect to pay a lot. Premium manufacturers really have no choice but to offer big motor / batteries. Unsurprisingly. Audi EVs are expensive.
Audi EVs are unusual in that they look pretty much like their ICE brethren.
I drove the Kia Kona and it was a well-done vehicle. I didn't buy it as I'm not ready for a new car/suv yet.
The Kona is well-regarded in Europe, too.
This is the VW model I'd love to see and drive. Take me back to the 60's.
It's not sold in the US only in Europe.
Reviewers love it.
It might be a good replacement if one of our Citroëns dies.
Careful if you live in a colder climate. Published EV specs are usually measured in ideal conditions and performance goes down in colder weather.
Less range, longer charging time.
Buyer beware.
Exactly!
ICEs made us lazy. We didn't have to know anything about the car, nor concern ourselves with fuel because there are gas stations everywhere. As cars got more complicated, even gearheads had to stop working on them. (Or just work on fifty year-old cars. )
For the next few years, we're going to have to go back to the early days of the ICE, when no one drove anywhere without spare parts and several spare tires, and most importantly the knowledge of how to use them.
We won't have to go back to paper maps.
It went through my mind that this whole article is spam, (i.e. advertising) but I guess instead it's drawing comparisons. However, it isn't really of much interest to me because we just use bicycles, saves us a LOT of money.
Are you really still bicycling at your age? I'm impressed. You can get a very good electric bike for a very good price in China. I have one, for picking up groceries at Fry's.
America is frustratingly locked into car culture. (Canada, too.) Houses are going up here in Yuma, faster than the eye can follow. Square miles of near-identical single-family homes, in fake Mexican architecture. All these homes, but no communities.
I'm not quite in a wheelchair or using a cane yet, Bob. However, most everything we need and/or want is within walking distance of where we live, and public transit here is excellent if needed.
That was a compliment, you know.
LOL. It's okay Bob. Had I thought otherwise I would never have voted up your comment.
Ah for the good old days. I was stationed at MCAS Yuma from 1974 through 1977 and both my kids were born at YRMC. At that time Yuma was pretty much a quiet and sleepy little border town where the biggest employers were MCAS and YPG. I miss those days.
It's still a pretty good town. The two military establishments are still big employers. Efforts have been made over the last few years, modestly successful, to revive the Old Town center.
Yuma is also the winter vegtable capital of the US.
Lettuce, anyone?
I was looking into the Kia Nitro late last year, but couldn't get one.
BIG problem with dealers charging way over MSRP.
Our local dealer's issue was lack of stock last year. I ended up purchasing a 2023 Seltos SX.
Good ratio "what-you-get / what-you-pay".