These Electric SUVs Come in Under $45k
If having an EV in your personal fleet seems unattainable, think again. Autoweek show you 12 EVs that are well within budget that have plenty of character, style and range.
2024 Nissan Leaf
Price: $29,208
The Nissan Leaf is one of the most comfortable and practical EVs on the road. The quiet chariot is not the fastest, but it might take the trophy for the most economical coming in at just under $30,000.
Perfect for the close and local driver, the base model can get up to 110 miles on a fully charged battery. If you’re considering one, act soon. Nissan is discontinuing the Leaf after this year.
2025 Mini Cooper Electric
Price: $31,859
Unique and recognizable, the Mini Cooper continues to impress with its fun-to-drive style. The base 2025 Mini Cooper Electric comes standard with front-wheel drive and 181 hp, and up to 110 miles of range. It can also fast charge from 10-80% on a level two fast charger in 35 minutes.
Speedy with great handling, the Mini Cooper Electric is small but mighty and can get you to where you need to with a smile on your face.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
Price: $34,995
Coming soon to a Chevy dealer near you, the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, will be a force to be reckoned with. The futuristic styling of the SUV looks just as cool as the number of ponies under the hood—209 hp, to be exact.
Depending on the trim level and powertrain, the Equinox EV can go 285-319 miles on a single charge. It has an impressive range with an even more impressive price tag.
2024 Kona Electric
Price: $34,050
The second-generation Hyundai Kona Electric is completely different from the Kona’s from the past. It’s longer, with a wider wheelbase and more room to enjoy the additional 6 cubic feet of space than the previous model.
Hyundai claims that the Kona Electric can charge from 10%-80% in 43 minutes, and on a fully charged battery can cruise up to 261 miles. Anticipatory anxiety? Not here.
2025 Volvo EX30
Price: $36,245
Volvo’s entry-level EV, the EX30 offers a big package at a small price. Offering 275 miles of range, capable of charging 10%-80% in a swift 26.5 minutes, means less time at the charging station, and more time exploring.
The customizable controls on the 12.3-inch infotainment screen deliver smart shortcuts, and intuitive controls with built-in Google. Sustainable materials and the sleek ergonomic interior prove that Scandinavian design is top-notch.
2024 Kia Niro EV
Price: $40,975
Joining the growing list of EV vehicles in Kia’s fleet, the Kia Niro EV is the smallest of the Kia family. As compact as this crossover SUV is, it has plenty of room to accommodate the everyday driver.
Comfortable seating, ample headroom, 63.7 cu-ft of storage area and a zippy enough feel behind the wheel will make everyday commutes and errand running feel less humdrum, and more appealing with its sleek and modern design.
2024 Nissan Ariya
Price: $40,980
When Nissan decided to discontinue the Leaf, it thought long and hard about what it lacked, and what could be the future of Nissan EVs. The pure and noble Nissan Ariya was reborn from its ashes and has put its best foot forward.
The minimalistic interior matched with its stable ride will comfortably cruse an impressive range between 216-304 miles of driving. If modern interior comfort and aesthetics are more important than speed and useable storage, then you may want to take advantage of Nissan’s latest EV.
2024 Volkswagen ID.4
Price: $41,160
The Volkswagen ID.4’s smooth ride and quiet cabin can get your party of five anywhere comfortably. The uncluttered interior design and the standard driver assist features can have you rolling for a very decent range of 263 miles for all-wheel drive or 291 for the rear wheel.
Even better news is if you purchase your Volkswagen ID.4 in the United States; this is one of the few EVs manufactured in the US and qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit.
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Price: $43,175
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 retro-futuristic design might not be every driver’s cup of tea, but the idea of charging an EV from 10%-80% in as little as 18 minutes on an 800V DC quick charger will probably change your mind.
Single and dual-motor powertrains range from 168 to 320 hp depending on the trim level. Quick on the draw, the all-wheel-drive Ioniq5 gas pedal can propel you to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
2024 Kia EV6
Price: $43,975
Fun to drive and well-balanced. The Kia EV6 is a character all its own. Not as bulky and square as most of its SUV competitors, the curves of the EV6 will remind you that it’s sporty and unique.
With four different trims to choose from, you might have to make the hard decision of choosing the longer range in the rear-wheel drive model—up to 310 miles—or pure performance in the 576-hp GT, which can go from 0-60 mph in just 3.2 seconds.
2024 Toyota bZ4X
Price: $44,420
Toyota finally hopped on the EV wagon in 2023 with the introduction of the bZ4X. Toyota seemed to focus on interior comfort, and decent handling on the road, rather than the range of EV miles. EPA estimates that the dual-motor, AWD version can get up to 228 miles of range, but during our test, maxed out at an “I’m not mad, just disappointed…” 160 miles.
Perfect for the city hobbit who ventures out only for provisions and emergencies. Not so much for the adventurous quest seekers.
2024 Tesla Model Y
Price: $44,630
Based on the Tesla Model 3, the bigger, high-riding Tesla Model Y is a more practical choice for families shuttling kids or hauling gear. Adding a third row is also available. It’s spacious and relatively comfortable with a range of over 300 miles.
Tesla’s reputation for being quick on the road—and even faster on the charger—is well worth the higher price point compared to other EVs on this list.
