Electric Cars Under $50,000 for 2024 & 2025

Polestar is one of the newest brands in the automotive firmament, but it still has a connection to an established automaker.

The Polestar name originally belonged to an independent motorsports and tuning company focused on modifying Volvos. It was eventually acquired by the Swedish automaker, and for a short time became its performance sub-brand, similar to Mercedes-AMG or BMW M. Volvo then decided to reassign the Polestar name to a new brand focused on . Launched for the 2021 model year, the Polestar 2 was the new brand’s first volume model, following the limited-edition Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid.

Polestar has other EVs planned, but for now the 2 remains its sole offering. The 2024 Polestar 2 gets some notable upgrades, including a range boost, revised styling, and some powertrain changes. All of that helps keep the 2 fresh in the face of competition like the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6.

Polestar keeps its lineup simple. Buyers can choose between Long Range Single Motor and Long Range Dual Motor configurations. We sampled the single-motor Polestar 2 for this review.

It may share a name with the gasoline-powered Blazer crossover SUV, but the Chevy Blazer EV is in fact a new vehicle based on the General Motors Ultium (EV) component set. It’s Chevy’s belated answer to the crosstown rival Ford Mustang Mach-E and other electric SUVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6, and the Tesla Model Y.

Verdict: The Blazer EV offers unique style and impressive technology, but it doesn’t really move the needle when it comes to range, fast charging, or interior packaging. It’s also priced at the higher end of the segment in its launch form.

Like Acura with the ZDX, Honda is leveraging the Ultium platform from General Motors to get an EV on the market now rather than waiting to develop its own platform later. The Prologue is offered in three familiar Honda trims–EX, Touring, and Elite–and it treads familiar Honda territory, too.

Verdict: Comfortable, attractive, and carefully avoiding change for change’s sake, the 2024 Honda Prologue is a great choice for anyone who wants to go green without approaching the bleeding edge.

Just one year after Subaru introduced its first electric car, the 2024 Solterra receives changes to upgrade battery charging, update the EyeSight collection of standard safety features, enhance comfort and convenience, and add utility. Better yet, Subaru hasn’t raised prices, at least as the 2024 model year kicks off. The automaker is also using a regulatory loophole related to the EV federal income tax credit to make leasing a Solterra more affordable.

Verdict: With the 2024 Solterra, Subaru has a more credible EV to sell. From the new steering wheel and available ventilated front seats to the updated EyeSight features and quicker charging battery pack, it is more appealing than before. However, unimpressive range ratings remain an issue.

The Chevrolet Blazer EV is a sporty counterpoint to the more affordable Equinox EV. It has more eye-catching style and the performance to back it up, too. This gives new-car shoppers more options at Chevy showrooms.

Verdict: Although the Blazer EV offers sportier styling, it doesn’t offer any clear advantages in range or interior space over its competing stablemate, the Equinox EV.

The EV6 has an appealing design, a stylish and practical interior, and one of the most sophisticated EV platforms available at its price point. Additional hallmarks of the 2025 EV6 include commendable power, plenty of driving range, and quick recharging times. For this model year, Kia improves this electric crossover SUV with an exterior facelift, a revised interior, increased battery capacity, a new charging port, modified steering, frame enhancements to ensure safety, and next-generation infotainment technology.

Verdict: Can the Kia EV6 survive the discontinuation of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit? It deserves to, because it is one of the most appealing EV models available today. Aside from a few quirks associated with its onboard technology, there isn’t much wrong with the EV6, and plenty that is right with it.

It would appear to be the calendar, not the competition, that has the Ioniq 5 due for a mid-cycle refresh. We liked it when it burst onto the scene as an angular oddball in a sea of soft-lined sameness, and it has only improved over the last few years.

Verdict: Hyundai makes minor but welcome changes and avoids tweaking the many things that were working well, successfully making a good thing better.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV trades on the established Equinox nameplate to help ease the transition to battery-electric power, but the Equinox EV is just that: an EV, from the ground up. Its dedicated architecture is wholly independent of the internal-combustion-engined (ICE) Equinox compact SUV. It’s available in two well-known Chevy flavors, LT and RS, with additional differentiation among the more sedate 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT and the sportier 2RS and 3RS. Accounting for current availability puts base MSRP at $43,295, for the 2LT, but that will fall to $34,995 when the 1LT trim level becomes available later in 2024.

Verdict: The Equinox EV does exactly what its name promises, offering the benefits of electric power in a comfortable package, and at a price point that’s hard to beat.

Summary: In terms of buzz, Ford's sporty all-electric crossover has come a long way since it first sparked outrage for appropriating the famous Mustang name. It seems most have accepted or resigned themselves to an electric Mustang, and the conversation these days seems to be all about how much owners love it-and how much Ford continues to improve it. It got Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving highway driving technology for 2023. For 2024, Ford raises the bar with a new Rally trim while also giving the rest of the lineup some key upgrades.

Verdict: Thanks to Ford's continued attention, the Mustang Mach-E is a better value proposition than ever. Best of all, the automaker has plans to look after owners of 2023 and older models as well.

Thanks to a new, more powerful rear-drive motor, increased driving range to nearly 300 miles, a next-generation infotainment system with substantial user-experience improvements, and a handful of comfort and convenience upgrades, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 is a better than before. However, it no longer includes complimentary DC fast charging for three years. Instead, you get up to 500 kWh of free charging, after which you’ll pay to play.

Verdict: While the downgrade in free charging is a bummer, the updated 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 is not. With the technology better sorted, improved comfort, an impressive sound system, and more power, performance, and range, VeeDub’s electric SUV need not make apologies.

New for 2025, the EX30 is a big risk for Volvo, but one that could prove very rewarding for EV shoppers.

The EX30 is Volvo’s new entry-level model, positioned below the XC40 in the automaker’s lineup. Volvo’s previous attempts to move down-market in the U.S. have produced mixed results, and the Swedish automaker is compounding the risk by making its cheapest model an . But it’s also reshaping the current EV landscape.

That’s because Volvo plans to offer the EX30 with over 250 miles of range for less than $40,000, a combination that brings to mind the now-defunct Chevrolet Bolt EV, not something from the more prestigious Volvo brand. It also means the EX30 will undercut mass-market EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia Niro EV, Tesla Model Y, and Volkswagen ID.4 while aiming to deliver the same experience as traditional Volvo models.

The EX30 is scheduled to reach U.S. showrooms during the summer of 2024 in Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance configurations, with Core (Single Motor only), Plus and Ultra trim levels. We drove single-motor and dual-motor versions, both in top Ultra spec.

While the Chevrolet Equinox EV may not have the performance or pizzazz of some other electric vehicles, it concentrates on what really matters: price and range. With more than 300 miles on a single charge and a bottom line that competes against non-electric SUVs, it brings EV ownership within reach for many shoppers who were previously left out.

Verdict: The Equinox EV’s combination of an affordable price and generous range makes it a standout value among electric vehicles.

If you’re shopping for an electric vehicle, you might think all battery-powered options are priced out of reach. Heck, it’s tough to find a gas-powered vehicle that won’t break the bank, let alone one that is powered by the latest and greatest technology.

That is where the 2025 Hyundai Kona EV comes in. This second-generation subcompact crossover got a redesign for the previous model year and now comes with more features and value than before, all wrapped up in a sleek little package. Sure, there are others that might perform better, but if you’re cost-conscious and are willing to settle for slightly slower acceleration, you’ll be rewarded with a competent and comfortable electric car.

Verdict: The 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric goes big on value with fresh styling, myriad features, and an excellent starting price.