8) 2018 Kia Soul EV
$33,950 | USN Score: 8.4/10 | Range: 111 mi
The 2018 Kia Soul EV is a battery-electric version of our top-ranked compact car, which is only available for sale and lease in some states. For 2018, Kia upped the capacity of its battery, giving it an EPA-estimated range of 111 miles.
Its energy efficiency is rated at 124 MPGe in the city and 93 MPGe on the highway.
Unlike many EVs, which have some electric motor whine, the Soul EV has very little motor noise. Much of what you hear at low speeds is artificially created to warn pedestrians of the car’s presence.
7) 2018 BMW i3
$44,450 | USN Score: 8.2/10 | Range: 114 mi
At first glance, you might not take the pod-like 2018 BMW i3 seriously as a sports car. Its BMW heritage, however, comes through when you step on the accelerator and feel its zippy acceleration and go-kart-like handling. The i3 is built largely of carbon fiber to keep its weight down and performance up.
The i3 is rated by the EPA to travel up to 114 miles on a single charge. It achieves an efficiency rating of 129 MPGe in the city and 106 MPGe on the highway. A new trim level for 2018, the i3s, loses 7 miles of range, but gains significantly improved performance.
The i3 is also available with a small gasoline range extender engine (i3 REX), which technically makes the car a plug-in hybrid and reduces range anxiety.
6) 2018 Nissan Leaf
$29,990 | USN Score: 7.6/10 | Range: 151 mi
Nissan redesigned the world’s best-selling electric vehicle for 2018, giving it a new look and a greatly enhanced range. It can now travel an EPA-estimated 151 miles on a single charge. It earns efficiency ratings of 125 MPGe in the city and 100 MPGe on the highway.
The base price of the 2018 Nissan Leaf is below $30,000, and many buyers will be able to take advantage of the federal EV tax credit to bring its cost to around $22,500.
The Leaf has an uninspired interior and cabin materials that aren’t up to the compact segment’s standards. It does, however, have technologies available that few others in the segment can match. Nissan’s ProPilot Assist offers semi-autonomous driving capability with advanced adaptive cruise control and lane centering that make driving less fatiguing.
5) 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf
$30,495 | USN Score: 8.3/10 | Range: 125 mi
The all-electric 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf retains the standard Golf hatchback's athletic handling and excellent cargo room but replaces its gasoline engine with a 134-horsepower electric motor. The e-Golf received a battery upgrade in 2017, enabling it to travel an EPA-estimated 125 miles on a single charge.
In our ranking of compact cars, the standard Volkswagen Golf holds a spot in the top quarter of the list. You'll have to look closely to tell the difference between the e-Golf and the regular model. The e-Golf gets unique C-shaped running lights and different wheels.
While the e-Golf doesn’t have the acceleration of a Tesla, it’s no slouch. It leaps quickly and nearly silently from the start line, using the torque from its electric motor to its fullest capability. The EPA rates the e-Golf at 126 MPGe in the city and 111 MPGe on the highway.
4) 2018 Tesla Model X
$79,500 | USN Score: 9.1/10 | Range: 237 mi
The 2018 Tesla Model X is an SUV like no other. Its electric drivetrain can accelerate the crossover from zero to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. Driven more conservatively, the EPA estimates you can travel between 237 and 295 miles on a single charge, depending on the model.
All versions of the Model X come standard with all-wheel drive. Three trim levels are available, starting with the $79,500 Model X 75D. The $140,000 Model X P100D comes with Ludicrous mode for maximum acceleration. The various trims have EPA efficiency ratings of between 83 and 91 MPGe in the city and 89 and 95 MPGe on the highway.
3) 2018 Hyundai Ioniq EV
$29,500 | USN Score: 8.4/10 | Range: 124 mi
The 2018 Hyundai Ioniq EV is part of a family that also includes a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. The Ioniq EV is the efficiency leader of the clan, with EPA-estimated mileage of 150 MPGe in the city and 122 MPGe on the highway. It is rated to travel up to 124 miles on a single charge.
The Ioniq EV seats five in its roomy, high-quality interior. The Ioniq EV isn’t as peppy as some EVs off the line, but the trade-off is a good range and lots of features for the money.
The Ioniq EV is currently only available to residents of California.
2) 2018 Tesla Model S
$74,500 | USN Score: 9.0/10 | Range: 259 mi
The 2018 Tesla Model S sits atop our ranking of luxury large cars. Not only does it offer exceptional range and interior comfort, but it also features world-class acceleration. The base model can go from zero to 60 mph in a bit more than 4 seconds.
The fastest Model S can go from zero to 60 in a neck-snapping 2.5 seconds.
Depending on the model you choose (and the price you pay), the range of the Model S varies from an EPA-estimated 259 miles to 335 miles. The EPA pegs its efficiency at between 92 and 101 MPGe in the city and 102 and 105 MPGe on the highway, depending on the model.
Seating for five comes standard, with small rear-facing jump seats available to bring its capacity to seven.
1) 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV
$36,620 | USN Score: 8.6/10 | Range: 238 mi
The Chevrolet Bolt EV was the first relatively affordable battery electric vehicle to offer a range of more than 200 miles. It has a starting price of $36,620, though many buyers will qualify for a $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax credit to bring the price below $30,000.
Its range is an EPA-estimated 238 miles, and it achieves an MPGe of 128 in the city and 110 MPGe on the highway. Electric vehicles and hybrids typically get better mileage in the city due to recaptured energy from braking and slower overall driving speeds.
Like many EVs, the Bolt EV is spry off the line due to the torque of its electric motor. It comes standard with a host of connectivity features, including support for a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 4G LTE data connection, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
Some vehicles didn’t have enough scoring information to make our ranking, so we’ve included a number of “honorable mention” electric cars on the following slides.
Honorable Mention: 2018 Tesla Model 3
$35,000 | USN Score: 9.0/10 | Range: 220 mi
Perhaps no other vehicle in the history of electric cars has garnered the attention that the 2018 Tesla Model 3 has captured. The car that is touted as Tesla's first mass-market electric vehicle will either be the savior of the company or its downfall.
We didn’t include the Model 3 in our list of top EVs as they are currently being produced in limited numbers. There is a backlog of orders, so at the time of publishing, it is unlikely that anyone interested in buying one today will be seeing their new car for several months, at least.
The base trim of the Model 3 is priced from $35,000 and can travel 220 miles on a single charge. That’s not the car they are building today, however. The initial production of the Model 3 has been limited to the more-expensive long-range (310-mile) version, which reportedly has a significantly higher profit margin for the company.
In our ranking of luxury small cars, the Tesla Model 3 is scored just below the segment leaders.
Honorable Mention: 2017 Fiat 500e
$32,995 | USN Score: 7.5/10 | Range: 84 mi
Fiat only markets the 500e in California and Oregon. With a base price of $32,995 and a range of just 84 miles, its purchase price is steep compared to more capable EVs. The best route to a 500e is by watching for lease deals, where you can occasionally find one going for a song.
The EPA rates the 500e’s energy consumption at 121 MPGe in the city and 103 MPGe on the highway.
2017 Fiat 500e models use an electric motor that produces 111 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque. That’s more than enough power and torque for the 500e to leap eagerly off the stop line and sprint its way through city traffic with nimble handling. Most test drivers would agree that the electric 500 carries the most engaging Fiat 500 powerplant short of the 500 Abarth.
In our ranking of subcompact cars, the Fiat 500 holds a spot about two-thirds of the way down the list.
Honorable Mention: 2018 Honda Clarity EV
Lease-Only | USN Score: 8.2/10 | Range: 89 mi
The Honda Clarity family is available with a choice of three powertrains, though two of those have restricted distribution. The 2018 Honda Clarity EV is only available in California and Oregon. It’s lease-only and it has a range of just 89 miles. Honda is marketing as a comfortable commuter car.
According to the EPA, the Clarity EV has energy-efficiency ratings of 126 MPGe in the city and 103 MPGe on the highway. The Clarity EV is based on the highest trim level of the Clarity hybrid, with standard features that include leather seating surfaces, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist.
In our ranking of midsize cars, the Clarity family earns a spot just below the midway point.
Honorable Mention: 2018 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive
$23,800 | USN Score: 6.3/10 | Range: 58 mi
Smart has been selling cars in the U.S. for 10 years. For 2018 they made a huge shift when they announced that the only models they will sell in the U.S. would be battery-electric vehicles.
The 2018 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive has a range of 58 miles on a single charge (57 for the ForTwo Cabrio convertible). The coupe is rated at 124 MPGe in the city and 94 MPGe on the highway. The convertible earns ratings of 112 MPGe/city and 91/highway.
Though its range is shorter than every other EV on the market, it makes sense for what the ForTwo is intended to be: a maneuverable city car that can squeeze into the tiniest of parking spaces. Its electric drivetrain is much zippier and more confident than the gasoline version it replaces.
The Smart ForTwo Electric Drive is set to join Mercedes-Benz’ EQ sub-brand later in 2018.
Honorable Mention: 2018 Ford Focus Electric
$29,120 | USN Score: 7.6/10 | Range: 115 mi
The 2018 Ford Focus is one of the oldest vehicles in the segment and its age is showing. The same goes for the Ford Focus Electric, though upgrades to its battery have improved its range to 115 miles on a single charge.
In our ranking of compact cars, the 2018 Focus earns a spot about two-thirds of the way down the list. The EPA rates its efficiency at 118 MPGe in the city and 96 MPGe on the highway.
Ford equips the Focus Electric with a robust array of standard equipment, including the SYNC 3 infotainment system, high-intensity discharge headlights, and DC fast-charging capability.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Read more about the electric vehicles available by exploring our ranking of hybrid and electric cars or luxury hybrid and electric cars. When you’ve narrowed down your choice, visit our new car deals and lease deals pages to find out what automakers are doing to help you get behind the wheel.
If you’re not quite ready to jump all the way into an electric vehicle, take a look at our list of the best plug-in hybrid vehicles available. They offer the best of both worlds: EV driving for short distances and traditional gasoline engines for when their battery packs are depleted.
Whether you choose to buy or lease, you can save thousands by using our Best Price Program, which connects consumers with local dealers offering guaranteed savings. Buyers save an average of $3,279 off MSRP when they take advantage of the program.
8 Best Electric Vehicles
- 8) 2018 Kia Soul EV
- 7) 2018 BMW i3
- 6) 2018 Nissan Leaf
- 5) 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf
- 4) 2018 Tesla Model
- 3) 2018 Hyundai Ioniq EV
- 2) 2018 Tesla Model S
- 1) 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Honorable Mention: 2018 Tesla Model
- Honorable Mention: 2017 Fiat 500e
- Honorable Mention: 2018 Honda Clarity EV
- Honorable Mention: 2018 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive
- Honorable Mention: 2018 Ford Focus Electric
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We Rank the Top EVs on the Market
Though we're still in the dawn of the modern electric vehicle (EV) age, automakers are producing a growing number of capable battery-electric cars, with ranges that extend to well over 200 miles. Most buyers can still save thousands of dollars with the federal electric vehicle tax credit.
Some electric vehicles have been designed from the ground up as EVs, while others are models of cars that were initially available only with gasoline engines.
Using information about each car’s range, efficiency, price, and U.S. News overall score, we’ve created a list of the best electric vehicles available today. The honorable mentions at the end of the list include vehicles that are not yet widely available (not all EVs are available in all 50 states), have limited information in our ranking system, or fall below our threshold for recommendation.
Our vehicle scores are updated continuously as new information becomes available, so the ratings you see on the following slides may not match those you see on our review pages.
Take a look at the following pages to see the best EVs you can buy or lease.