Theautomotivelandscape has changed a lot over the last decade, from the surge in demand for SUVs, to the rise of electric vehicles. One thing that’s certain is depreciation. Electric cars are mainstream now, but they’re still theworst depreciating vehicles. Thankfully, they level out in year three, making these EVs a bargain for used car buyers.
Even though these are much more affordable than their original MSRP, some are still expensive by used car standards. If you’re on a budget, a cheap andreliable Japan-made carcould save you a lot of money in repair bills.
to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, Kelley Blue Book, CarEdge, and Edmunds. We ranked these cars by depreciation, from least to most.
10 most reliable electric cars under $30,000
There’s no need to worry about buying a used EV. Here are ten affordable options with strong reliability scores.
10Volkswagen ID.4
Depreciation: 53.6%
Acting as a German alternative to the Tesla Model Y, the Volkswagen ID.4 is a spacious and practical electric SUV. The problem, however, is it’s not as good and was originally expensive at $41,190. Inside, the ID.4 is typically VW, with a lot of plastic trim and basic seats. The minimalist steering wheel looks like a toy, but two digital displays help bring the cabin to life.
Performance Specifications
Transmission
Single-speed automatic
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That said, a claimed 260 miles of range makes this an ideal family SUV for the school run and road trips. After falling over 53% in three years, a used ID.4 is a great deal at $19,113, according toKelly Blue Book’s fair purchase price.
Best features
9Mustang Mach-E
Depreciation: 54.5%
When Ford announced a Mustang-inspired SUV, we didn’t expect it to be electric. Despite the lack of a V8 engine, the Mach-E brings an exciting option to an otherwise dull selection of electric SUVs. It keeps the iconic tri-bar light design the Mustang is known for, and the sloping roof and broad shoulders create a sexy silhouette.
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The interior has a huge portrait touchscreen which makes viewing easier, and has fun games installed. Where a slow 0-60 mph sprint lets it down, a respectable 230 miles of range brings it back up to standards. For $23,372 used, you’ll get a lot of attention driving down the street in this athletic SUV.
8Tesla Model S
Depreciation: 57.8%
Costing almost $100,000 new, a used Tesla Model S is a bargain at $40,609. That’s still a lot of cash to fork out on a three-year-old car, but that gets you one of the most impressive EVs available. Even the base model gets 670 hp and can reach 60 mph from a standstill in 3.1 seconds.
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7Chevrolet Bolt
Depreciation: 58.6%
They say good things come in small packages. Well, this electric city car packs keyless entry and start, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and 259 miles of range. It’s unusual to have so much range in cars this size, since most long-distance drivers typically buy bigger cars. Depending on how you drive, this battery could last well over a week before needing a recharge.
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6Tesla Model Y
Depreciation: 58.9%
The Tesla Model Y gained pop as an affordable EV with advanced technology, impressive range and ultra-fast charging on one of America’s best charging networks – tesla superchargers. It slotted into the range between the compact Model 3 sedan and seven-seat Model X to bring a mid-sized SUV that’s easier to manage through narrow city streets.
we expect Tesla values to plummet further
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It depreciated massively in its first year, and continued to drop in the following years, with athree-year-old Model Y costing $27,406compared to $66,793 when new. Without getting too political, we expect Tesla values to plummet further, following Musks recent TV coverage and fueled hatred towards the eccentric CEO.
5Porsche Taycan
Depreciation: 59.7%
The Porsche Taycan was the brand’s first mainstream EV. Keeping its Porsche soul, this sports sedan comes in various guises, maxing out at 162 mph. To be more realistic, we’ve used the entry-level Taycan, which still has 402 hp and can reach an electronically limited 143 mph.
Two-speed automatic
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That performance came at an eye-watering cost of $102,100. Thankfully for used car buyers, depreciate floored the Taycan, losing almost $61,000 in just three years. Ouch. Now, for a smidgen over $40,000, you could get one of the fastest, most reliable and luxurious electric cars available.
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You don’t need to spend $100k for a fast car. These sedans put Porsche to shame.
4Polestar 2
Depreciation: 60.7%
Polestar isn’t a new name; it used to be the performance arm of Volvo before becoming a standalone EV producer. However, it’s clearly sticking to its Volvo roots when it comes to design. The Polestar 2 is a niche EV that is most popular with executives. The Polestar 2 has classy sedan styling and is the first car to operate a Google-based system.
Though there’s nothing particularly exciting about the 2, it is a great electric car with quick charging times and regenerative braking toextend EV battery rangeon long commutes. Plus, it’s excellent value-for-money at $24,039 when the starting MSRP was $61,200.
Depreciation: 62.1%
Another compact electric car is the BMW i3. This one was an early EV, and many people laughed at its unique design and suicide doors. As time went on, budget and eco-conscious buyers realized they could get an efficient car with heated front seats and cruise control as standard and an available moonroof.
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Boxy dimensions aside, the i3 is pretty spacious inside, and those doors are more practical than traditional ones when climbing into the rear seats. Once over $45,000, a used i3 now sells for $17,211.
2Nissan Leaf
Depreciation: 63%
Before the i3 came the Nissan Leaf – an even more affordable small car with similar levels of standard equipment. It began life at $32,620 and has fallen to $12,058. It taps out at 92 mph, but nobody needs to go that fast in an EV.
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The future of the long-standing Leaf is at risk, since theHonda and Nissan mergerhas been canceled. We truly hope the Japanese automaker finds a solution to its financial problems to continue making value-based cars. Perhaps the 63% depreciation on the Leaf is the cause.
1Audi e-tron
Depreciation: 65.8%
The worst depreciating EV over three years is the Audi e-tron. It’s a fatal combination of being a luxury SUV, electric vehicle, and now redundant. This 65.8% loss in value is Audi’s own doing by releasing the Q4, Q6, and Q8 e-tron models.
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Regardless, the Audi e-tron remains a stunning luxury EV with plenty of space and even more power. you may’t argue with this package for $22,991, but the 222-mile range leaves a lot to be desired compared to similarly priced EVs.
