With changing regulations, constant progress and new tariffs, the new electric vehicle market is full of options that are too expensive for many shoppers. The worst part is that these cars depreciate quickly, too. The flip side of that, however, is that used EVs are cheap.
For most buyers, in fact, used EVs are the best option. Gently used EVs offer almost everything you can get on the new market, but at a fraction of the price. Since EV battery warranties are long and failures are rare, they’re also safe bets. You may have your normal used-car niggles, from worn-out suspension components and electronic glitches, but EV powertrains are incredibly robust.
Not all of your options are created equal, though. Some cars are more prone to costly failures, while others are already out of date. To help you navigate this ever-changing and exciting landscape, I put together this guide on the best used EVs for every buyer. If you couldn’t find what you were looking for from our roundup of the best new EVs to buy in every category, this list should have your answer.
How We Test & Pick The Best Used EVs
There’s a fundamental challenge when evaluating used car options: Most reviewers only test new vehicles. Here’s where we set ourselves apart. InsideEVs has been covering this space for longer than almost any other outlet, and our expert editors have driven almost every new EV on the market. Since we’ve been doing it for a while, we’ve also driven most of the used options. I covered the Chevy Bolt when it was a brand-new vehicle, not a used-lot special.
We know how these cars drive. We’ve tested them, we’ve road tripped them, we’ve lived with them. For long-term ownership experience, we also have staffers or contributors who have owned or leased many of the most popular EVs. We also make a point of constantly monitoring third-party reliability surveys, owner forums, social media posts, recall notices and service bulletins to determine how reliable these vehicles are. We can't promise any specific car is reliable, but we try to steer clear of recommending cars with major issues.
Finally, I also just want to remind you to factor in two key considerations in your search: Insurance and location. Some EVs have high insurance premiums, with Teslas being some of the worst offenders. It’s usually not a big enough difference to make them bad options, but just make sure that you get a quote before you go to the dealership or retail center.
For many shoppers, it is also helpful to cast a wide net. EV prices vary dramatically across the nation, so if you’re in an area with a lot of demand for EVs, it can sometimes make sense to fly or drive to a place with lower prices. It could save you thousands. Note that prices vary constantly, and while I’ll update the estimated values below, use a shopping site like AutoTrader or CarGurus to find up-to-date pricing of local examples. Pricing estimates below are for vehicles with under 75,000 miles and clean titles.
The Best Used Electric Vehicle For Most People:
2017-2023 Tesla Model 3
Price Estimate: $20,000-$30,000
EV Range: 220-358 miles
There’s a reason that Tesla has dominated America’s EV industry for so long. It makes great cars, with plenty of range, an excellent native charging network, a cutting-edge software suite and much more. I am a Tesla critic in many ways, but I can’t deny that the mainstream Tesla Model 3 and Model Y remain among the best EVs on sale. In the new market, I’d tell most people to get a Model Y, as Americans tend to prefer the space of a crossover. But for used shoppers, the Model 3 is the smart money.
While the current Model 3 and Y are equally good, the first-generation Model Y suffered from an extremely stiff suspension and austere interior that made it too harsh for many shoppers. The first Model 3 was also stiffer than the current product, but its nimble steering also makes it reasonably enjoyable to drive. It remains sharper than most sedans. The Model 3 has also proven to be one of the most reliable EVs ever, with plenty of high-mileage examples out there. That also means you can get one of the best EVs ever made at a helluva price.
The cheapest examples start around $15,000, but those cars have over 100,000 miles. The best value is in getting a 2- or 3-year-old Model 3 for somewhere around $25,000. For most people, any trim is fine, but the best value seems to be the dual-motor Long Range car, which also gets a better stereo than base vehicles.
In this case, however, I’d suggest looking for end-of-quarter deals on the new Model 3. With the tax credit, you can get one for around $35,000, and Tesla often offers incentivized financing rates that are far lower than those available for used cars.
The Best Overall Used Electric SUV:
2022-2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Price Estimate: $26,000-$33,000
EV Range: 220-303 miles
If the first slot was basically a tie with the Tesla Model Y, so is this. Some people prefer the tech-forward cabin of the Tesla and its constant over-the-air updates, while others will prefer the more familiar experience of an Ioniq 5. It’s an everyday crossover, but electric. It offers plenty of range, excellent driving dynamics and the fastest charging speeds you can get in the mainstream segment.
It can charge from 10-80% in under 20 minutes, making it a road-trip monster. It also offers more space than a the mechanically similar Kia EV6, a better user interface experience than a Volkswagen ID.4, a nicer interior than the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Since it’s been on sale since 2021, you can also find great deals on the Ioniq 5. Before shopping, I'd also recommend familiarizing yourself with the Ioniq 5's Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) issue.
Any trim of the Ioniq 5 will do, just make sure to get the big battery. The SE Standard Range offers just 220 miles of range. It’s a great deal if you’re willing to accept its range and rear-wheel-drive powertrain, but most people should opt for a big-battery AWD car. Expect to pay around $30,000 for most examples, though I have seen reasonable examples for around $25,000 pop up.
The Best Used EVs For Under $25,000
Not everyone has $30,000 kicking around. Plus, the federal used EV tax credit only applies to vehicles sold for under $25,000. But while buyers spending just over $25,000 can get nearly new cars with low miles, those looking for cars under $25,000 or $20,000 will need to make compromises. You can opt for a cheaper model with less tech and range than mainstream EVs, or you can get older, higher-mileage versions of more expensive models. But since most of the EVs we’d recommend came out relatively recently, there just aren’t as many choices at the lower end of the price spectrum.
2017-2023 Tesla Model 3
Price Estimate: $20,000-$30,000
EV Range: 220-358 miles
While gently used, recent Model 3s start at around $25,000, you can get earlier models for under $25,000. If you’re willing to get an example with over 100,000 miles, you can get one for far under $20,000, too.
If you need AWD, expect to pay more. But the cheapest models may be the best value: A Standard Range or Mid Range Model 3 will have far fewer miles for the price, and offers enough range for most buyers, especially given how good the Supercharger Network is.
2017-2024 Chevrolet Bolt & Bolt EUV
Price Estimate: $13,000-$20,000
EV Range: 238-259 miles
The Chevy Bolt is a fantastic everyday EV. It’s a comfortable compact with a practical hatchback design. It offers seating for five and a decent-sized cargo area. Don’t be fooled by the EUV’s billing as a crossover, though. This is a small car, and you’ll have to use the roof rack if you want to haul bigger cargo. But owners love these cars because small cars are more fun to drive, cheaper to buy, cheaper to fuel, easier to maintain and easier to park.
The downside of the Bolt is that it is not an ideal road-trip EV. Early examples did not come standard with DC fast-charging capability, which meant you had to wait around 9.5 hours for a full charge on a Level 2 charger. That makes road trips pretty much impossible. The optional (and later standard) DC fast-charging option allowed it to charge at up to 50 kW, which means it still takes over an hour to charge from 10-80%.
As a second car, it’s one of the best options at any price. But if you’re a frequent road-tripper, look elsewhere.
2020-2024 Mini Cooper SE
Price Estimate: $19,000-$22,000
EV Range: 110-114 miles
The Mini Cooper SE is the enthusiast’s choice for a cheap EV. Its light curb weight and excellent handling make it more fun to drive than 99% of cars on the road, and its instant torque will spin the wheels at nearly any speed. The catch is its paltry 114-mile maximum range rating. So while it’s one of the most fun-to-drive late-model cars you can get for $20,000, it’s really only meant to be an around-town car.
Best Used Electric SUVs
2020-2024 Tesla Model Y
Price Estimate: $26,000-$31,000
EV Range: 260-337 miles
The original Tesla Model Y remains a reliable, efficient, advanced option for those who want the Tesla experience in an SUV form factor. I recommend skipping the base and Performance models, opting instead for a Long Range AWD version. Expect to pay around $27,000 for one of those. If the ride comfort proves to be a deal breaker, note that it’s possible to replace the suspension with the revised version from the new Model Y.
2024-2025 Kia EV9
Price Estimate: $51,000-$56,000
EV Range: 230-304 miles
This is the best family hauler on the market, regardless of propulsion type. It looks great, drives well, is cheap to run and offers a lovely interior with solid tech. The EV9 also offers a spacious third row and plenty of cargo room. The only downside is it’s a relative newcomer, so used prices haven’t come too far down. Expect to pay around $53,000 for a decent example. Still, it’s far cheaper than a new one, and they seem to be reliable.
2022-2024 Kia EV6
Price Estimate: $27,000-$32,000
EV Range: 206-310 miles
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is my top SUV pick for a reason. It’s great to drive and offers more space than its mechanically identical sibling, the Kia EV6. Still, the Kia offers a different design inside and out, with sleeker styling and an interior that looks better to my eye. Its performance variant, the EV6 GT, also came out far before the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. That means you can find used ones for around $35,000. But with only 206 miles of range, it’s not the right choice for most people. I’d get a rear-wheel-drive model, because they’re fun to drive and can be found for under $30,000.
2021-2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Price Estimate: $25,000-$30,000
EV Range: 211-320 miles
The Mach-E is the other good fun-to-drive choice. The AWD GT is mighty quick, but a big-battery RWD model is just as enjoyable to drive, if not more so. You can find them for just $25,000, and sometimes under. Ford also copied Tesla’s approach to software, which means even older Mach-Es should have solid infotainment upgrades and available hands-free highway driving via BlueCruise.
Best Used Luxury EVs
2022-2025 BMW iX
Price Estimate: $48,000-$60,000
EV Range: 289-324 miles
The BMW iX is one of my favorite EVs ever. It offers incredible efficiency and range with a lovely interior and solid driving dynamics. Its controversial styling may turn some buyers offf, but all the better for you: Used iXs are cheap. While most models sell for over $80,000 new, used examples can be found for around $50,000. That’s a great deal for a relatively reliable, spacious, comfortable SUV that still has plenty of good years ahead of it.
2022-2024 Rivian R1T
Price Estimate: $53,000-$60,000
EV Range: 255-410 miles
If you want a luxurious electric vehicle for far cheaper than new, your best bet may actually be a pickup truck. Rivian offers the best-riding, best-handling electric trucks and SUVs, and early R1Ts are now available for around $53,000. That gets you a truck with a ton of range—over 300 miles in some trims—class-leading technology and great styling. Just be aware that Rivian has ranked poorly in some reliability surveys, so look for issues and make sure you budget for them.
2023-2024 Genesis GV60
Price Estimate: $32,000-$38,000
EV Range: 235-248 miles
The Genesis GV60 is a compact luxury crossover based on the same E-GMP platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. It offers decent range and blazing-fast charging speeds, with a fantastic interior. The GV60 also offered face unlock for the doors and a fingerprint sensor to start the vehicle, along with a cool rotating shifter, so it’s certainly interesting. The exterior design is love-it-or-hate-it, but for $35,000 you can find a low-mileage used example that’ll push you towards loving it.
2022-2024 Mercedes EQS
Price Estimate: $42,000-$47,000
EV Range: 277-352 miles
This is a weird one, because while I’d have bought any of the other vehicles on this list new, I’d never recommend an EQS. Its blobby styling and high price tag make it an undesirable option for $100,000. Plus, the depreciation is absolutely brutal. That’s why it’s on this list. Despite this being a six-figure car when new, you can find used ones for as little as $35,000. That’s a crazy deal for a modern flagship Mercedes, even if the ride comfort and exterior styling aren’t great. Just budget for maintenance; this is a $100,000 Mercedes, even if you get it for less.
2022-2024 Lucid Air
Price Estimate: $55,000-$65,000
EV Range: 384-520 miles
The Lucid Air is the most efficient EV on sale. The base model offers world-beating efficiency and the higher trims offer over 500 miles of range. Used Airs kick off around $55,000, and Grand Tourings hover in the $55,000-$65,000 range. Most buyers would be fine with the Pure, but higher trims are not much more expensive on the second-hand market. I say splurge for the Grand Touring so you get more features, a nicer interior and more range than you could ever possibly need.
Conclusion
The market for used EVs has long lacked options, but that’s getting better every day. EV sales have increased dramatically in the past few years, largely driven by leasing, which means there are plenty of low-mileage late-model cars entering the market every day. As more models hit used-car lots, I’ll be sure to keep this guide up to date with the latest options. So if you have ideas for models that should be on this list, let me know in the comments. The market’s changing every day, and there are plenty of good options that didn’t make the first cut for this list.
Contact the author: Mack.Hogan@insideevs.com.
