Arguably the two most-critical shopping criteria for buying or leasing an electric vehicle is price and range on a charge, though not necessarily in that order.
The industry leader in the former category for 2025 is the longstanding Nissan Leaf, which starts at $28,140, and drops to just $20,640 after a $7,500 cash rebate. Unfortunately it’s limited to only 149 miles on a full charge, which in this day and age is woefully inadequate for most motorists. At the other end of the spectrum, the Lucid Air sedan in its G Touring XR trim can run for a class-leading 512 miles with a full battery, but at a starting price of $110,900 is out of the financial reach of most consumers.
But studying the specs and stats we found 10 worthy electrified cars and SUVs that are priced at under $45,000 and get more than 245 miles on a charge. The least expensive model on the list, the Tesla Model 3, starts at just under $35,000 and also happens to be the EV having the longest base-trim range at 363 miles.
Those still looking through a showroom window would be advised to walk in and strike a deal sooner rather than later on EVs that still qualify for the one-time $7,500 federal tax credit/rebate (based on domestic production and price limits) which is now set to expire on September 30. Fully half of the models on our best bang-for-the-buck list are eligible for what amounts to an instant $7,500 discount.
What’s more, those EVs that do not qualify for the federal credit are typically subject to some hefty automakers’ incentives to help spur sales and clear dealers’ inventories, including rich cash rebates, cut-rate financing offers and deeply-discounted lease deals. EV Incentives last month amounted to a record 17.1% of the average transaction price which, according to Cox Automotive, is more than 40% higher than it was a year earlier.
Those looking to lease an electric vehicle should take note that many brands have managed to exploit a loophole in the federal EV-credit legislation that enables them to receive the $7,500 incentive and pass all or part of it along on models that otherwise don’t qualify for it. That means the best EV leasing offers will likely expire along with the tax credit on September 30.
The prices listed below are for base models in each model line and do not include destination charges, taxes or registration costs; range estimates given are likewise for base models. Automakers’ incentives noted are good through the end of August and may vary from one region to another, with the best financing and leasing deals limited to those having top credit ratings. Extra incentives to members of the military, current students, recent graduates and/or first responders may apply. Log onto each brand’s website under a “local offers” or “special deals” tab for more information.
10 Electric Vehicles With The Biggest Bang For The Buck
1. Tesla Model 3: $34,990 / 363 miles on a charge
This is about as a good a deal as it gets. It’s on the long-range rear-drive version of the Model 3 sedan, which remains eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit/rebate that effectively lowers the MSRP to $27,490. Tesla is currently offering financing on the Model 3 as low as 0.0% – another money saver – along with a free one-month trial of the automaker’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature and its Premium Connectivity service. There’s also one year of free Supercharging, though that’s limited to cash orders only. Lease deals on the Model 3 start at $299/month for 24 months with $3,000 due at signing.
2. Tesla Model Y: $37,490 / 357 miles on a charge
The numbers noted above are for the Model Y SUV’s Long-Range Rear-Wheel-Drive model which, like the Model 3, remains eligible for the federal $7,500 tax credit/rebate that drives the up-front cost down to $29,990. Tesla’s Model Y incentives, on the other hand, are limited here to 3.49% financing and a $399/month lease for 36 months with $3,000 due at signing.
3. Chevrolet Equinox EV: $33,600 / 319 miles on a charge
The Equinox EV SUV gives the above Teslas a run for the money. Starting out, it’s still eligible for the $7,500 tax credit/rebate that cuts the price to an affordable $26,100. Chevy is offering 0.0% financing for 60 months and leasing offers with monthly payments as low as $245/month for 24 months with $6,149 due at signing. Costco members can also take advantage of a $1,000-$1,250 discount for buying or leasing an Equinox, with owners of competing models getting a $1,200 cash rebate.
4. Chevrolet Blazer EV: $44,600 / 283 miles on a charge
In addition to qualifying for the $7,500 federal tax credit/rebate that slashes the MSRP to $37,100, the Chevrolet Blazer EV SUV is being offered with 0.0% financing for 60 months, and like the above Equinox qualifies for the $1,000-$1,250 Costco-member discount and the $1,200 rebate for conquest sales.
5. Lexus RZ: $44,095 / 266 miles on a charge
The Lexus RZ SUV is priced on the high side among our best bang picks, but is more luxurious than most; the noted range estimate applies to the rear-wheel drive base version. Lexus isn’t offering much in the way of incentives on the RZ, however, being limited to a lease offer at $399 for 36 months with $4,999 due at signing. We’d guess Lexus dealers would be generating discounts of their own to help move the metal.
6. Volvo EX30: $44,900 / 261 miles on a charge
Another luxury EV, the Volvo EX30 SUV’s only available incentives are on the costlier all-wheel-drive Twin Performance Plus and Twin Performance Ultra trims, being offered with 1.99% financing for up to 72 months plus $1,000 cash back. The Plus is being leased for as low as $399 per month for 36 months with $4,799 due at signing.
7. Ford Mustang Mach-E: $37,995 / 260 miles on a charge
This is for the base rear-drive version of the Ford Mustang Mach-E; a higher-cost Extended trim can go for an estimated 320 miles with a fully charged battery. For its part Ford is offering a $1,000 cash rebate along with 0.0% financing that comes with a $0 down payment and no payments for 90 days. The base model can be leased for as little as $387 per month for 36 months with only $387 due at signing. In addition, Mustang Mach-E buyers and lessees get a free two-year maintenance plan.
8. Kia Niro EV: $39,600 / 253 miles on a charge
Though the Kia Niro EV SUV isn’t eligible for the federal tax incentive, the automaker is offering purchasers a $7,500 cash rebate of its own, along with another $1,000 bonus cash, which takes the purchase price down to $31,500. There’s also 0.0% financing for 72 months and leasing deals as affordable as $149 per month for 24 months with $3,999 due at signing.
9. Toyota bZ4X: $37,070 / 252 miles on a charge
The Toyota bZ4X is mechanically related to the Subaru Solterra, though it has a somewhat longer range and lower starting price. This month the automaker is offering 0.0% financing for 72 months and a $2,500 cash incentive on the bZ4X. Lessees can lower their payments and/or cash due at signing via a whopping $12,000 lease bonus cash. That translates into a $199 lease for 36 months with $2,999 down.
10. Hyundai Ioniq 5: $42,600 / 245 miles on a charge
While the price and range noted above is for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUV’s base rear-wheel-drive model, the line tops out at 318 miles for the $46,650 SE extended range version and is somewhat lower for all-wheel drive variants. The Ioniq 5 is built in Hyundai’s EV plant is Georgia and qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit/rebate that effectively drops the starting sticker price to $35,100. It also offers cut-rate financing as low as 1.99% for 60 months, and lease deals as affordable as $179 per month for 24 months with $3,999 due at signing.
