Today, we’re looking at the Best affordable Electric SUV in 2022, all under $50k – and some starting as little as $26k after tax rebates. Our list includes many of the EVs we saw at the NY Auto Show and even got a test ride in some of them. Let’s get right into it.
01. Hyundai IONIQ 5
This is Hyundai’s brand new electric SUV that has great style, a futuristic interior, and packed with features. It starts at $40k MSRP but is eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit – bringing it down to $32,500. The IONIQ 5 has the styling of a much more expensive car, almost like an Audi – and we love the square LED headlights and tail light design that looks both retro and futuristic It comes in either RWD or optional AWD powertrain.
For specs, it has 320 horsepower with a 0-60 in 5 seconds for the AWD version. That makes it as fast as a Tesla Model 3 Long Range. The battery has 303 miles of range that can charge 10-80% in 18 minutes using Ultra Fast DC Charging. Looking at the interior, it’s futuristic and stylish with Dual Panoramic screen, while also having dedicated buttons for music and climate control.
The backseats can lean back while the driver seat has a leg rest you can lift up for those longer legs, or lay back while charging. For safety features and self-driving, the car has HDA2 or ‘Highway Driving Assist 2’ which will detect vehicles ahead and maintain speed, while also keeping it centered. It can also do automatic lane changes and self park itself like a Tesla.
02. Hyundai Kona EV
Next up is another EV from Hyundai, and one of the cheapest electric cars you can buy is the Hyundai Kona EV. It has an MSRP of $34,000, but the EV rebate brings it down to $26,500. It’s got a simple style that still has a touch of new.
It packs 201 hp, a 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, and Front Wheel Drive, but no AWD option is available. For range, you can expect about 260 miles and can be charged with DC Fast Charging from 10%-80% in about 1 hour.
The interior is simplistic but includes a touchscreen that features both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a second display in the dash for the instrument cluster. It doesn’t have any autonomous or self-driving features for safety features, but it does have adaptive cruise control, lane keeps assist and pedestrian detection.
03. Toyota BZ4X
Next, we have the Toyota BZ4X, which is Toyota’s first all-electric car. While Toyota has made plenty of Hybrids in the past, this is the first battery-only EV they’ve made. It starts at $42,000, and unfortunately, the $7,500 tax rebate is starting to phase out for Toyota.
The BZ4X is available in FWD or AWD options and has 201hp for the FWD option, while the AWD has 214hp. For range, it will take you 252 miles for the FWD and 228 miles for the AWD model. Charging can use DC Fast charging to get 80% in 30 minutes.
Looking at the interior, it’s minimalist while having dual LED screens, one for the instrument cluster and one for the infotainment in the center. There’s a set of touch-sensitive buttons underneath the screen for climate control, and the bezel has a shiny finish.
Meanwhile, many parts of the dash on the passenger side are made of a fabric material – which is an interesting design choice and might not be for everyone. For safety features, the Bz4x has Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0- which has adaptive cruise control and lane-keep on the highway to keep it in the lane and moving with traffic.
04. Subaru Solterra
Up next is the new Subaru Solterra. This one is built on the same platform as the Toyota bz4x since they partnered together, so the cars are almost identical. The main difference is that the Solterra has X-Mode, an all-wheel-drive control system that allows it to adapt to different driving conditions like mud or deep snow.
For specs, it’s identical to the Toyota Bz4x- 220-mile range with 210 hp and 0-60 in 6.5 seconds. And the interior is also nearly identical to the Toyota, with the same screen and infotainment, controls, and dash.
The other major difference will be the price since the Subaru Solterra starts at $38,000. However, Subaru is still eligible for the $7,500 EV rebate, making it much cheaper than its identical Toyota twin.
05. KIA EV6
Next up from KIA is the EV6 electric SUV. It has a starting price of $41k, or $33K after the tax rebate. The EV6 has a sporty and aggressive style with the front headlights, while the rear tail light LED goes across the entire back. It also has door handles that are flush and pull out to open.
For specs, the EV6 Light trim has a smaller battery with 232 miles of range, RWD, 167 horsepower and a charging time of about 1 hour on DC Fast Charge. The higher-end trims of the EV6, like the GT line with AWD, can have up to 320hp with a 0-60 in just 3.5 seconds.
For safety features, the EV6 features Highway Driving Assist 2, which will maintain speed and distance and includes lane centering and lane change assist. There’s even a remote smart parking assist that lets you park the car remotely without even being inside of it.
06. KIA NIRO EV Electric SUV
Another fully electric car from Kia is the Niro EV. It has a starting price of $40k and is eligible for the tax rebate, bringing it down to $32k. The style of the Niro is most similar to current cars, so it doesn’t look too futuristic but still has a sporty design.
Meanwhile, the interior has a screen for the instrument cluster, a touchscreen in the dash, and dedicated buttons and knobs for media control and climate. For specs, the Niro EV has a range of 239 miles, 200hp with a 0-60 in 7.8 seconds. It’s front-wheel drive and doesn’t offer any AWD options. For charging – you can use DC fast charging to get up to 80% in 1 hour.
07. Nissan Ariya SUV
Next from Nissan is the Ariya crossover Electric SUV. It starts at $47k but is eligible for the rebate bringing it down to $38k. It has a range of up to 300 miles, with 238hp on the FWD option, while the higher trims can offer up to 389hp and AWD. The styling of the Ariya is futuristic yet simple, with slim LED headlights and rear LED bar across the back.
The interior features a wide dual screen, one for the instrument cluster and another for the infotainment system. There are not many tactile buttons, everything is mostly touch-sensitive built-in the dash, and the center console is motorized with the ability to move forward and back.
08. Volkswagen ID 4 Electric SUV
Next, we have the Volkswagen ID 4, starting at $41k MSRP and eligible for the EV rebate. The base model has RWD with 201hp, while the AWD spec will put out 295hp. For range, you’re looking at 280 miles on the base model.
For styling, the ID 4 looks reminiscent of the traditional Volkswagens but with a refreshed look. The front LED headlights are sleek, and the light continues across the front with the logo that also illuminates. The interior is simple, with a screen for the cluster and another in the center for the infotainment with just a few buttons underneath.
09. Ford Mustang Mach-E Electric SUV
Finally, we have the Ford Mustang Mach-E Electric SUV. This one has been around for a few years, and it’s got a starting MSRP of $43k and is eligible for EV rebates. For specs it has 266hp on the base model, while the GT trim can get up to 480hp. The battery has a range of 247 miles for the base, with up to 314 miles on the GT trim.
The styling of the Mach E looks like a futuristic version of the older Mustangs, while the interior is simple with a dual screen for the instrument cluster and a large vertical touchscreen with a tactile knob at the bottom. Alright, that’s it for now. Let us know in the comments which new EV you prefer from our list. Next, be sure to watch our other reviews and comparisons.
