Cars cost a lot of money. There’s no escaping that fact. Between the upfront payment, taxes, insurance, dealer add-ons, and registration costs, owning or even leasing a car is costly.
Add in the fact that electric vehicles are still more expensive than their internal-combustion counterparts to buy outright, and you have a tricky situation for anyone who wants to break up with gasoline.
So naturally, one can expect that getting behind the wheel of a new electric car won’t be cheap. While many options are pricey, there are also plenty of competitively priced options available—some of which are cheaper than you probably think.
From a $30,000 hatchback to a luxury SUV you can lease for less than a Toyota Camry, going electric is actually more affordable than some might think.
InsideEVs has compiled some of the best affordable new electric options for 2026. This includes vehicles of almost all classes: hatchbacks, sedans, crossovers, and SUVs. Given that we stuck with new cars, this excludes used options like the old Chevrolet Bolt. For the list of the best used cars, go here. If you want to see our picks for the best electric vehicles overall, click here.
How We Test And Rank Cars
InsideEVs editors have dozens of years of combined experience testing cars. We also spend every day reporting on the ever-changing electric car landscape, ensuring you have the latest information to make an informed decision. Throughout the year, we test dozens of EVs at first-drive events, during week-long reviews, and during our Breakthrough Awards testing. From the streets of Shanghai to our own driveways, we drive everything so we can give you the best possible information.
We’re basing this list on the sticker prices for 2026 models, including destination. Keep in mind that a bunch of factors can impact the final price you’ll pay for a car.
Some models used to qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit at purchase, but the country-wide incentive was scrapped last September, leaving manufacturers and dealers to try to entice buyers with their own discounts.
Certain regions offer policies of their own that can bring down the upfront cost of getting into a plug-in vehicle. Whether you buy or lease, it helps to shop around. Both dealerships and manufacturers regularly offer great EV lease deals, discounts, preferential loan rates, and other incentives to move cars off their lots.
The Best Affordable New EV: Nissan Leaf
Photo by: Patrick George
Base price: $31,535
Range for base model (S+): 303 miles
Maximum range: 303 miles
Drive type: FWD
Let’s be honest: the old Nissan Leaf was getting a bit long in the tooth and was being outpaced by pretty much everything else on the market. Now, though, there’s a brand-new Leaf, and it ticks all the right boxes for someone who just wants a comfortable, quiet, and affordable daily commuter.
Just like its predecessor, the third-gen Leaf is not a particularly exciting electric car. It looks pretty generic (though a lot better than the outgoing model) and doesn’t have any remarkable specs across the board. However, as a complete package, its value is almost impossible to beat. That’s why it won our Breakthrough Award last year, and it’s why many other car journalists are praising it.
With a starting price of around $30,000, the Leaf offers 303 miles of range and a maximum charging power of 150 kilowatts. Both specs are in another dimension compared to the previous generation, making the new Leaf a true do-it-all EV without breaking the bank.
Sure, the front-mounted 214-horsepower electric motor isn’t anything to write home about, and neither is the somewhat bland interior. But the new Leaf is a lot quieter and more refined than Nissan’s gas-powered commuters, making it an obvious choice for anybody who just wants a reliable transportation device.
Read our review of the 2026 Nissan Leaf here.
Best Affordable All-Wheel-Drive EV: Subaru Solterra
Photo by: Patrick George
Base price: $40,420
Range for base model (Premium): 288 miles
Maximum range: 288 miles
Drive type: AWD
The Subaru Solterra used to suffer from mediocre software, subpar charging capabilities, and unimpressive range. However, that all changed when the 2026 model came about. The refreshed model brought significant changes on all fronts, making the Solterra a great choice for drivers who like to take their cars off the beaten path, but don’t want to spend more than $50,000.
While the electric Subaru is no Rivian, it offers an impressive 8.3 inches of ground clearance and a 17.7-degree approach angle. For comparison, the Kia EV6 has 6.1 inches of ground clearance and just a 15.4-degree approach angle. Subaru also says the Solterra can traverse through 19.7 inches of water.
The Solterra features a 74.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack delivering a range of 288 miles. Powering the crossover are two electric motors producing a decent 233 horsepower. Subaru claims the battery can accept up to 150 kilowatts on a DC fast charger, with a 10-to-80 top-up taking roughly 28 minutes. That’s significantly better than the pre-facelift model, which struggled to stay above 90 kW.
If you’re road-tripping, the Solterra might not be the best EV out there. But if you need a daily driver, primarily charge at home on Level 2, and drive on rugged terrain, the Solterra is a solid option. Until the Rivian R2 debuts, this is the closest thing available now.
Better yet, Subaru has been continuously offering great lease deals for the crossover. So shop around, and you might get a screaming deal.
Read our review of the 2026 Subaru Solterra here.
Best Affordable Electric Three-Row SUV: Kia EV9
Photo by: Kevin Williams/InsideEVs
Base price: $56,545
Range for base model (Light RWD): 230 miles
Maximum range: 305 miles (Light Long Range AWD)
Drive type: RWD, AWD
The typical base price for a Kia EV9 may make you wonder if we have the same definition of the word “affordable” as most people. That said, this is still the cheapest electric three-row SUV in the U.S., so looking at the whole picture, this is the most affordable option.
Even at its price point, the EV9 has a good array of standard features. The base EV9 features a power liftgate, tri-zone climate control, and ventilated front seats. On the safety front, it offers a suite of autonomous driving features like adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and automatic lane changes.
However, there are some drawbacks. The base version makes just 215 horsepower despite weighing over 5,000 pounds. Buyers can opt for the all-wheel drive model, though it will tack on $9,000.
Nevertheless, all Kia EV9 models come with outstanding fast-charging abilities. Thanks to its 800V battery system and thermal management system, the EV9 has a stellar charging curve. It can charge from 10 to 80% in just 24 minutes. Moreover, the Light Long Range version can secure just above 3.0 miles per kilowatt-hour, which is quite impressive for such a large three-row SUV.
Best Affordable Electric Sedan: Tesla Model 3
2026 Tesla Model 3 Standard
Photo by: Tesla
Base price: $38,630
Range for base model (Rear-Wheel Drive): 321 miles
Maximum range: 363 miles
Drive type: RWD or AWD
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 is still one of the best EVs currently on the market. It starts at just $38,630, but you need to remember that the entry-level model now does without features like an FM radio, heated rear seats, a second-row touchscreen, and a power-adjustable steering wheel. If you want front ventilated seats, a punchy 9-speaker sound system, a power trunk, dual-pane front and rear windows, and an FM radio, you need to upgrade to the Premium trim, which costs $5,500 extra. That said, the Premium also comes with a longer, 363-mile range and a more powerful motor.
When other car brands have historically increased their prices, it’s worthwhile to note that the Tesla Model 3 has decreased in price since its inception while gaining better performance, range, efficiency, features, and build quality. For drivers who care about features, range, price, and fit and finish, there has never been a better time to buy a Model 3.
Read our review of the facelifted Tesla Model 3 here.
Best Affordable Electric Crossover: Chevrolet Equinox EV
2024 Chevy Equinox EV RS AWD
Photo by: Mack Hogan/InsideEVs
Base price: $36,795
Range for base model (LT1): 319 miles
Maximum range: 319 miles
Drive type: FWD or AWD
The Equinox EV is a crossover with pleasant and inoffensive styling. While it has a more-than-decent range of up to 319 miles, that’s not its best attribute. That attribute is its price. The Equinox EV LT1 starts at $36,795 with destination fees. Chevy advertises the Equinox EV as America’s most affordable 315+ mile range EV, and it’s not wrong.
It offers 319 miles of range and produces 211 horsepower. The Equinox EV tops out at 150 kilowatts on a DC fast charger, and GM claims it takes 10 minutes to add 70 miles of range. An independent test revealed a 10 to 80% charging time of just under 40 minutes. For comparison, the Kia EV6 can charge the same percentage in just 18 minutes.
The crossover has room for five occupants along with 26.4 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats. The Equinox EV comes standard with cloth seats, adaptive cruise control, and a 17.7-inch infotainment display.
Read why it won our Breakthrough Award in 2024.
Best Affordable Small Electric Hatchback: Chevrolet Bolt EV
Photo by: Chevrolet
Base price: $28,995
Range for base model (LT): 262 miles
Maximum range: 262 miles
Drive type: FWD
The original Chevrolet Bolt EV had a loyal fanbase, despite some, uhm… fiery issues. All of that is in the past now, but Chevy rebooted the Bolt for the 2027 model year using many of the same bones as the original Bolt EUV, but augmenting them with better tech.
As a result, the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV is now capable of going a whopping 262 miles on a full charge, thanks to a new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack and a bunch of improvements in efficiency. When it’s time for a top-up, the new Bolt EV leaves its predecessor in the dust once again, with a 150 kW peak charge rate and a 10-to-80% time of just 26 minutes.
And because it’s powered by an LFP battery, drivers can enjoy the car’s entire range every day because LFP batteries don’t mind going to 100% on a regular basis, as opposed to nickel-rich packs that need to be limited to 80% for longevity.
More Upcoming Affordable New Electric Vehicles
Photo by: InsideEVs
Base Price: $35,000 (estimated)
Estimated Range: 320 miles in U.S. spec with the large battery
Drive Type: Front-wheel-drive or all-wheel drive
We’re quite excited for the Kia EV3. It uses the same platform and 400-volt electrical architecture with front- or all-wheel-drive as the larger EV4, which is still MIA stateside. Kia has not revealed the 2027 EV3’s pricing, but rumors say it could start around $35,000.
When the federal tax credit was still around, the EV3 would have been one of the cheapest electric cars in the U.S., but now it will have to battle it out with the Chevy Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf, which have a head start.
The EV3 will go on sale in the U.S. in late 2026.
Read our First Drive review here.
Photo by: Slate
Estimated Price: $25,000-$35,000
Estimated Range: 150-240 miles (projected)
Drive type: Rear-wheel-drive
Slate Auto is a new startup EV company backed by several influential investors. And its new upcoming EV truck could be a game-changer, a kind of electric successor to the cheap pickups that used to be common in America. Think a modern, electric version of the Chevrolet S-10, and you’re on the right track.
And the Slate Truck will be especially bare-bones—you have to live with roll-down windows, for example—but it also offers a lot of customization options via vinyl wraps and interior accessories. With the included base 52.7-kilowatt-hour battery, it’ll return a projected 150 miles of range—not great, but Slate says this is meant to be an around-town vehicle more than a road-tripper. The optional 84.3-kWh pack gets you a healthier 240 miles of range. The truck will be made in America as well.
Read our First Look at the Slate Truck here.
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