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The flashiest and fastest EVs get all the attention. Read on for humble electric vehicles that have the best value.
Image source: Getty Images
It’s a good time to buy an electric vehicle (EV). Never before have EVs had longer battery ranges, impressive 0-60 mph times, sleek styling, and enough tech wizardry to convert any last remaining Luddites.
But there’s still one small problem for EVs: many are expensive. The average transaction cost of a vehicle powered by electric motors and batteries is more than $51,700, according to Kelley Blue Book. Sure, the new EV tax credit rules will help offset that high sum, but your money will go even further if you opt for one of these underrated EVs.
1. Volkswagen ID.4
MSRP: $38,995
The Volkswagen ID.4 takes a decidedly conservative stance on style amid the plethora of spaceship-looking EVs floating around. That may be off-putting to a buyer looking for an unconventional EV design, but it also means the ID.4 could be a good choice for those ready to dip their toe into the EV water.
The base ID.4 puts out 201 horsepower and has an estimated range of 209 miles. Neither of those numbers will impress your friends, but the 19-inch rims and 12-inch touchscreen display might. The charging time of about 36 minutes, from 10% battery life to 80%, means you may want to stick mostly to charging the ID.4 at home, but it’s still more than adequate charging for a compact crossover.
At a starting price of $38,995, the Volkswagen ID.4 offers a good value for buyers who want a good-sized EV for getting around town without all the flash of other electric vehicles. The icing on the cake is that ID.4 received the Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which might help with your auto insurance premiums.
2. Hyundai Ioniq 6
MSRP: $42,450
If a long-range EV sedan is more your style, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 will fit the bill. With unique styling, the base rear-wheel-drive Ioniq 6 has an estimated 361-mile range and has 225 horsepower.
That’s an impressive range, and you probably won’t have to worry much when the car runs out of juice because the car has an ultra-fast charging system that can get the battery back to 80% in as little as 18 minutes with a 350kW charger.
The electrified sedan has a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an eight-way power driver seat, heated front seats, and plenty of standard safety features that make the base level Ioniq 6 anything but standard.
Further boosting its credentials, the Ioniq 6 scored a 10 out of 10 in a review by Car and Driver review and IIHS gave it a Top Safety Pick+ rating.
3. Nissan Leaf
MSRP: $28,140
With a price tag of well under $30,000, the Nissan Leaf might be the best value on this list of EVs; just don’t plan any road trips without first mapping out the charging station locations. The base model has a range of just 149 miles, and you’ll wait about 40 minutes to get to 80% charge on the fastest recharge setting.
Still, it’s hard to beat Nissan’s little sedan if you’re looking for an inexpensive EV for getting around town. You can always upgrade to the Leaf SV Plus if you want the longer range of 212 miles and slightly beefier 214-horsepower motor versus the base model’s 147 horses.
Nissan’s EV earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), making the Leaf the safe choice in more ways than one.
How to save money on electric vehicles
If you’re in the market for a new EV, there’s good news: Claiming an EV tax credit just got easier. Buyers can now receive an upfront tax credit of up to $7,500 when they buy a qualifying electric vehicle. Previously, some buyers had to wait until they filed their taxes to receive the credit.
Not all vehicles qualify, but you can find the ones that do on the U.S. Energy Department website.
And while you’re searching for which EVs qualify for the tax credit, you may also want to spend some time getting car insurance quotes. Electric vehicles often have higher repair costs, which can drive up insurance premiums.
Spending a few minutes getting rate quotes from car insurance companies could ensure your value EV actually ends up being a good deal.
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