The Best Used Electric Cars in 2025

by Chris Teague

The amount of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road has increased significantly over the past decade or so, but only the most impressive and well-appointed models with a respectable amount of range have hit the market in the past few years. Because technology evolves so fast in this corner of the new car market, used examples’ values quickly drop to pennies on the dollar.

What’s more, used EV tax credits from the federal government, plus some incentives and rebates from state governments, are music to any budget-minded motorists’ ears. As long as it’s a used EV that’s older than a 2023 model and costs less than $25,000 from the dealership, it could qualify for a $4,000 credit (subject to change).

If you don’t need the absolute most current connectivity and tech offered by new EVs, and are ok with less range, a used EV can provide reliable and ultra-low-cost ownership for years to come. It should also be said that installing a home charger will ease any concerns about range anxiety.

Let’s dig into a handful of the best EVs on the used market that offer a lot of value for the prices they command.

The Best Used Electric Cars 2025

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV Review Lead In

Chevrolet Bolt EV

Years built: 2017-2023

The original Chevy Bolt EV, sold through the 2023 model year, may be the best bargain on this list. Though it had a troubled period during which a major nationwide stop-sale order and recall saw its batteries replaced, the fixed Bolt EV is a great small car by any standard, electric or otherwise. Older models are widely available for less than $20,000 with modest mileage, and they’re nearly as good as newer models, though only 2022 and 2023 versions got GM’s Super Cruise system.

In 2017, the Bolt EV’s 238-mile rated range was lengthy, and Chevrolet upped it to 259 miles in 2020. That makes it suitable for all but the longest possible commutes, and it’s quite energy-efficient in operation. It can also charge at up to 55 kW per hour and can charge from 10% to 80% in an hour at common 50-kW DC fast chargers. On a 240-volt outlet, it can replenish its batteries in about ten hours, which isn’t fast but is more than doable overnight. Overall battery life is quite good, too.

The Bolt EV is a joy to drive, with a 66-kW battery and a single electric motor making 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Its small size and capable handling make it plenty of fun, and there’s room for four adults to ride in comfort. While some may still be wary because of the past foibles of the LG-sourced batteries, those who do consider a Bolt will find a practical car with a zippy powertrain, intuitive in-car tech, and plenty of space for a small hatchback.

An all-new Chevrolet Bolt EV is expected to arrive in late 2025.

2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E review summary

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Years built: 2021-Present

The Mustang Mach-E stirred controversy with its name, as many claimed foul when Ford used the iconic muscle car nameplate for an electric crossover. The vehicle’s performance, styling, and range have helped convert most naysayers. There are many different models, with rear- or all-wheel drive, power outputs from 266 to 480 horsepower, and two basic sizes of battery pack, standard and extended range. Most affordable early Mach-Es will use the smaller standard battery, and their ranges very roughly between 210 and 230 miles. Extended Range versions are closer to 280 to 300. All can charge at up to 150 kW per hour.

Every Mach-E comes with a fantastic 15.5-inch touchscreen running Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment software. The large display runs two functions side-by-side and offers intuitive, fluid navigation through all menus and functions. The airy, spacious interior offers great comfort for up to five passengers, and there’s good visibility for the driver in all directions.

Though it isn’t quite as exciting as the regular two-door gas-powered Mustang, the Mach-E is fun to drive by family crossover standards and handsome, too. The fastest versions are the GT and GT Performance models, but all of them have pretty good moves on a twisty road.

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric review summary

Hyundai Kona Electric

Years built: 2019-present

Before the extra-cool Hyundai Ioniq 5, the original Hyundai Kona EV was the practical electric crossover with pretty good range capability. The 150-kW electric motor makes 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque and sends it to the front wheels, and while hardly a Lucid Air, it’s peppy. There’s plenty of power to scoot around town and cruise the highways, and the Kona EV benefits from gobs of instantenous torque.

Coming in at 261 miles, it offers a longer range than several other cars on this list. When it comes time to introduce a bit of shock into its pack of EV batteries, the 66-kWh battery pack can charge at up to 100kW, so you can use 150-kW fast charger stations to replenish it from 10% to 80% in about an hour.

Hyundai offers straightforward tech that’s easy to use. Older Kona EVs come with a 7 to 10.3-inch touchscreen that runs Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with six speakers, USB inputs, SiriusXM radio, and HD radio. Hyundai also includes a full suite of advanced driver aids that include automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warnings, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Kona Electric’s biggest drawback is the same as that of the gas-powered version: the back seat’s pretty small. While the gas Kona offers all-wheel drive, the Kona Electric is front-wheel drive only.

Jaguar I-Pace

Jaguar I-Pace

Years built: 2018-2024

How fast is the pace of EV evolution? Just six years ago the Jaguar I-Pace was one of the most desirable EVs on the market and won numerous awards including World Car of the Year and European Car of the Year. Now its 2025 and Jaguar no longer builds the I-Pace.. Part of that is down to its relatively high price and Jaguar’s troubles in general, but the I-Pace just wasn’t as competitive as it used to be despite price reductions and having more standard equipment than ever. That means, like other Jags, steep depreciation.

But that depreciation can be a boon to used buyers. In 2020, a top-trim, fully-loaded I-Pace listed for almost $83,000 new, but today you can pick the same car up in the $20,000s if you shop around. Lower S and SE trims are even cheaper. The I-Pace is still lots of fun to drive, too, and it still has that distinct Jaguar look, even if it is in the bargain bin right now. Each one comes with a 90-kWh battery pack that can return up to 246 miles of range, and a standard dual-motor, all-wheel drive layout packing 394 horsepower and 512 pound-feet of torque. It’s quick and quiet, like Jaguar should be.

Inside, it’s comfy, luxurious and quiet, and four adults can ride in comfort all day long. The standard hatchback crossover configuration also means plenty of room for cargo. There are some drawbacks, though. Depreciation is signficant and Jaguar dealers aren’t exactly common anymore. Also, while the I-Pace can fast charge from 10% to 80% in as little as 40 minutes, its level 2 home charging times are pretty lengthy.

2024 Kia Niro EV Exterior

Kia Niro EV

Years built: 2019-present

The Kia Niro EV brings intuitive tech, great space for a tiny SUV, and a solid list of standard features. This vehicle comes in several different configurations, but the Niro EV delivers 201 horsepower from its electric motor. Range lands at 253 miles, but charging on 120-volt outlets is painfully slow, even by household outlet standards. The upside is that the Niro EV can take advantage of DC fast charging, which can replenish 80 percent of the battery in about 45 minutes and it uses its electrons pretty efficiently, returning 113 MPGe.

The Kia’s tech may not be as flashy as the interfaces in other vehicles, especially EVs, but the interior does feature a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. A Harman Kardon sound system is available.

2019 Kia Soul EV Test Drive Review summaryImage

Kia Soul EV

Years built: 2015-2019

The Kia Soul EV was a good new electric car and it makes an excellent used one, too, provided it fits your needs. Early models used a 27-kWh battery pack and had an EPA-rated range of 93 miles, but 2018 and 2019 versions got an enlarged 30-kWh pack and a 111-mile range. Even with some degradation over time, that’s more than enough to tackle most short commutes and local driving. The Soul EV can also charge at speeds up to 100 kW per hour, but it only has an old-timey CHAdeMo connector, so an adapter may be required.

The Soul EV is also more fun to drive than non-turbocharged gas-powered Soul models, as despite only having 109 horsepower (to 130 in the standard Soul), the 210 pound-feet of torque is a whole lot more than the gas version’s 118, and it punches as soon as you press the accelerator. The Soul, in any of its forms, is a supremely useful vehicle. The boxy shape, high roof, and clever interior design make the vehicle a wonderful alternative to bulky and expensive crossovers and SUVs. It can accommodate four tall adults in comfort or two adults and three kids, although cargo space is tight.

The Soul EV wasn’t cheap when it was new but it’s not hard to find them with reasonably low mileage for under $10,000. This little crossover also wasn’t sold in all 50 states, and they’re still more common on the West Coast and in California, but there are a fair number scattered throughout the US.

2020 MINI Cooper Preview summaryImage

MINI Cooper SE

Years built: 2020-2024

One of the best-driving small cars on the market, the MINI Cooper, is also available as an EV. While the electric MINI might not have quite the same grip and handling as a gas model, it's still one of the most fun EVs to drive, particularly if your travels keep you around town. The small 28.9-kWh battery provides only about 110 miles of driving range, but it's cheap and quick to replenish the battery, making this a great second car or around-town commuter. A new generation of the MINI Cooper electric is expected to arrive in the coming years, but for now, the 2020-2024 MINI Cooper SE is an affordable and fun used EV.

2021 Nissan LEAF Preview summaryImage

Nissan Leaf

Years built: 2011-Present

The first truly modern, mass-produced electric car, the Nissan Leaf debuted way back in 2009 and went into production a year later as a 2011 model. Originally, it had a 24-kWh battery pack, a 107-horsepower electric motor and 73 miles of range. Over time, battery pack size grew to 30 kWh and range to 107 miles, but only the trim SL trim was fitted with a fast-charging port. While it can theoretically fast charge pretty quickly thanks to its small battery, Nissan initially cautioned against fast charging it most of the time. The models without the fast-charging port take four to eight hours to charge on a 240-volt outlet.

The oldest models tend to have pretty bad battery degradation, so it’s best to shop for something newer than 2013 if you want a first-generation Leaf. They are, however, dirt cheap, and even fantastic examples that can be found for less than $10,000.

The second-generation Leaf appeared in 2017 as a 2018 model. It’s an evolution of the original with updated styling and technology and, finally, fast charging capability, though, like the Soul EV and the first-gen Leaf, it uses a CHAdeMO connector (it’s the last EV to have one). In many respects though, the second-gen Leaf is a big leap forward, with 40 or 62-kWh battery packs, and 147 or 214 horsepower options, the latter being a far more satisfying driver. They have more range too, up to 149 miles for the standard battery pack and up to 226 with the larger one.

The Leaf isn’t much to look at or drive, but its purchase and operating costs are undeniably low, so if you’re just in need of a cheap in-town commuter, it’s a fine pick. It’s no longer anywhere near state-of-the-art, but later models look and feel like contemporary small hatchbacks and come with plenty of safety gear.

Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model 3

Years built: 2017-Present

It may be true that Tesla never fully delivered on the promise of a $30,000 brand-new Model 3, but eight years after its introduction, there are plenty of used Model 3s you can buy right now for less than that figure. In fact, thanks to some rental fleets off-loading leased units, it’s possible to find a few cars under $20,000, though there are some caveats to those well-worn examples, and early cars had a variety of quality ills. The same goes for the Tesla Model Y, but we find the 3 to be a better overall value.

The Model 3 is a top-selling electric car in America for lots of reasons, but primary among them are its solid range numbers (no version has ever been EPA-rated at less than 220 miles, and Long Range and Performance models have always been at or above 300), excellent handling, peppy performance, and its practicality. The back seat is small and not that comfy for tall people, but the Model 3 has cargo space that rivals much larger vehicles. Also, Tesla’s Supercharger network makes “in the wild” charging quick and painless.

When shopping for a used Model 3, it’s important to note the variations in miles of range between models, and that some models don’t always meet their range estimates. In 2023, Tesla revised the Long Range Model 3 from 348 miles of range to a more realistic 333. Battery health is also important, particularly if you’re looking at a discounted former rideshare driving machine, which may have seen many fast charging cycles. A diagnostic test mode can reveal the health of the battery, but it can take up to 24 hours to administer, which not every seller wants to do. Nearly all Model 3s with fewer than 100,000 miles, however, are still under warranty.

Prices can also vary wildly from model to model, with the Model 3 Performance typically being the costliest. The downsides of the 3 are its very basic cabin, which doesn’t feel at all like a “premium” experience, and its overreliance on the central touchscreen. It lacks many physical controls, and while you do adapt to the software, it isn’t intuitive and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren’t offered. Similarly, there’s no conventional instrument cluster.

2020 Tesla Model S Preview summaryImage

Tesla Model S

Years built: 2012-Present

The car that made electric vehicles cool and the longtime king of EV range, the Tesla Model S was a landmark vehicle when introduced in 2012 and it’s still in production today. Several batteries and powertrain configurations, rear- and all-wheel drive, have been offered over the years, beginning with a confusing numbered naming scheme. Since 2021 when the car got a major refresh, Tesla has offered standard and performance “Plaid” models, but in recent years, the automaker has also offered long- and standard-range versions of the car.

Always fast, the early Model S 60 had 362 horsepower, a 60-kWh battery pack and around 210 miles of range, but other models like the P85D, 90D, and Long Range gradually climbed to more than 400 horsepower and up to 370 miles of range. Since 2020 the standard (previous Long Range) Model S has held steady at around 400 miles of range, and many versions can do zero-to-60 in less than four seconds. The Plaid, offered only since 2021, is seriously fast in a straight line, and offers antics similar to a Dodge Charger Hellcat, only with far more efficiency. It isn’t cheap though.

Inside, the Model S has decent room for four adults and there are plenty of screens, including a conventional instrument cluster, which isn’t offered on Tesla’s newer, less-expensive models. The big center screen went from portrait to landscape in 2021, which makes it a little easier to use, but as with all Teslas, there’s plenty of digital overkill. The cabin is minimalist, but materially nicer than the Model 3 even if it isn’t as posh as a Mercedes.

Part of the draw of Teslas are the many standard driver assist systems, often optional on German rivals, and the company’s wide Supercharger network, which is still the best in the biz. Batteries do degrade over time, particularly those that are repeatedly and frequently fast-charged, but Tesla does have a diagnostic for testing the battery and its hardware seems to hold up well. The Model S has lots to recommend, though sometimes individual models have had modifications from Tesla for a specific owner that might not transfer to new owners. It’s worth researching any available service history before you buy.

2016 Volkswagen e-Golf Preview summaryImage

Volkswagen e-Golf

Years built: 2015-2019

Like many large automakers, Volkswagen first dipped its toe into the EV waters by fitting an electric powertrain into one of its existing models. The e-Golf rolled out in 2015 as a premium EV with a 24.2-kWh battery pack, 115 horsepower, and 83 miles of rated range. In 2017, Volkswagen upgraded the car with a 35.8-kWh pack, 134 horsepower, and 125 miles of range. As a new car, the e-Golf was expensive, with top trim commanding an almost $40,000 MSRP in 2019, but as used cars, all versions can be found for less than $15,000 with some patient shopping. As you’d expect, the less desirable earlier models are generally cheaper.

Of course, the e-Golf wouldn’t be very exciting if it didn’t do all of the normal hatchback-y things as well. One of VW’s big goals with the car was to make it drive and feel just like a normal Golf, and they succeeded. The electrified car weighs only 211 pounds more than the gas-powered version, handles just as well, delivers the same comfortable ride, has tons of useful interior space, and is as unassuming as a cheap compact car can get.

The e-Golf can use DC fast chargers at a rate of up to 50 kW, and given how small its battery pack is, the charging times are actually pretty quick. It can also charge on a 240-volt outlet in under five hours. Again, a small pack means quick charging. The e-Golf’s range is a limiting factor, but it’s a nice car to drive and no less practical than the regular Golf in most respects.

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Chris is an automotive journalist covering new vehicle reveals, news, and technology. He loves digging into the details to tell entertaining and informative stories.

Peter Nelson is a freelance automotive journalist based in Los Angeles. He covers every corner of the automotive industry, but is particularly passionate about anything that's fun-to-drive. His bylines can be found on The Drive, Robb Report, J.D. Power, Grassroots Motorsports, Donut Media, Ars Technica, Winding Road Magazine, The Autopian and more. In his spare time he enjoys attending track days in his BMW 128i, as well as cycling all over Southern California.

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