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Here's what to consider What is an ethical hacker? Could you be one? The best Macs Best laptop for design Best Windows laptops Best all-in-one PCs Best budget TVs What 5G means for you ZDNet Recommends ZDNet Academy Innovation Services & Software Operating Systems Web Hosting Open Source 5G Computing Laptops Tablets Quantum Computing Makers Servers Transportation Electric Vehicles Wearables AR + VR Headphones Smart Watches AI & Robotics Space Metaverse Smartphones iPhone Mobile Accessories See all Innovation Security VPN Cyber Threats Password Manager Ransomware See all Security Business Smart Cities Edge Computing Cloud E-Commerce Virtualization Internet of Things IT Priorities Data Management Developer Legal Data Centers SMB Startups CXO Enterprise Software Companies Apple Google Microsoft Amazon Samsung See all Business Finance Blockchain Credit Cards Taxes Banking See all Finance Education Business & Management Computers & Tech Science & Engineering Professional Development Bootcamps MBA See all Education Home & Office Smart Home Home Security Smart Assistants Smart Lighting Smart Office Office Furniture Office Hardware & Appliances Home Entertainment Speakers Networking Broadband Mobile Carriers Home Networking Kitchen & Household Yard & Outdoors Energy Sustainability See all Home & Office More International China EU United Kingdom New Zealand India Singapore Korea Australia Japan Hong Kong Government Government: US Government: UK Government: AU Government: Asia ZDNet Recommends Deals Newsletters Videos Reviews Galleries See all Topics Asia Australia Europe India United Kingdom United States ZDNet France ZDNet Germany ZDNet Korea ZDNet Japan Go Trending Now Join / Log In Why you can trust ZDNet ZDNet independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Our process 'ZDNet Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNet's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNet nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers. ZDNet's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. Close Home Innovation Transportation Electric Vehicles THE 5 BEST ELECTRIC CARS: PLUS, THE CHEAPEST EV AVAILABLE What is the best electric car? The Tesla Model 3 is ZDNet's top pick. We researched the top EV brands and compared their electric car models by factors such as innovation, affordability, energy efficiency, and more. We also found the best cheap electric car and other honorable mentions. Written by Sherin Shibu on July 15, 2022 Reviewed by Elyse Betters Picaro * * * * * Tesla Model 3 Best electric car overall View now View at Carvana Polestar 2 Best Google-enabled electric car View now View at Carvana Lucid Air Best luxury electric car View now View at Lucid Chevrolet Bolt Best affordable electric car View now View at Carvana Hyundai Kona Electric Best electric SUV View now View at Carvana MUST READ Microsoft Teams outage: Here's what went wrong Read now Gas prices are astronomical these days -- it's time to consider going electric. While the initial investment cost might be steeper with an electric car for certain options, the long-term payoff is worth it. Not every EV is expensive, either. Electric cars are convenient, cost less to drive, and are much quieter to operate than other types of vehicles. They're also one of the best options on the road to environmental sustainability because they do not emit exhaust gases. Electric vehicles have the potential to transform transportation and mitigate air pollution in cities. Whether your reasons are environmental, economic, or anything in between, we got you covered with the best electric cars. There are many options out there, so our unique priority was highlighting innovation as well as efficiency. TESLA MODEL 3 BEST ELECTRIC CAR OVERALL Tesla Features: * 132 MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent) * Estimated charging cost per year: $500 * Up to 334 miles on a single charge * Max speed: 145 mph * Accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds * Max power: 430 hp * Full self-driving capability (autopilot, auto lane change, autopark, and more) with a $12,000 upgrade * Price: $59,490 The Tesla Model 3 is one of the top-selling electric cars of 2022, with good reason. It combines functionality with innovation at a higher price point. Cars usually depreciate in value over time but used Tesla prices show the opposite. I once ordered a Lyft, and the driver showed up in a Model 3. I had no idea how to open the door. I didn't know right away that you had to press one side, and the other popped open as a handle. Once I was inside, I was blown away by the comfort of the car, the roof that took panoramic to another level, and the large touchscreen that the driver was using to navigate. The car has futuristic features, like autopark and auto lane change (part of the $12,000 upgrade to full self-driving capability). It's expensive but a solid investment with some cool perks. Take the Tesla key card, for example. It's a sleek black card that fits perfectly into your wallet: Forget your keys no longer! If you have more than one Tesla, spanning different models, you can use your one specific key card to unlock them all. If you lose the key card, you can delete it from the car and order a replacement for $25. Say you forget to tap your card on your Tesla to lock it -- the car has a walk-away feature that detects when you walk away and locks automatically (watch YouTuber POGAuto demonstrate here). If you leave the windows open, the car will automatically close them for you when it locks. You can also control the car from the Tesla app, opening and closing the trunk, flashing the lights just in case you're in a dark space and need to locate it, and much more. If you've ever had that moment of "oh no, I think I left my trunk open," this is the car for you. Pros: * No key fob is necessary -- just use the Tesla key card or the app * Amazing level of control over the car, even from afar, through the app * Lock valuables in the glovebox, which only opens to your preset PIN number * Two wireless chargers * Rear heated seats, including the middle seat Cons: * Pricey when compared to other options * The earliest estimated delivery is in six months * Back windows open halfway View now at CarvanaView now at Tesla POLESTAR 2 BEST GOOGLE-ENABLED ELECTRIC CAR Polestar Features: * 107 MPGe (miles per gallon gasoline-equivalent) * Estimated charging cost per year: $600 * Up to 270 miles on a single charge * Max speed: 127 mph * Max power: 408 hp * Tow up to 2,000 lbs * Accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds * Price: Starts at $40,900 after federal tax credit If you want something different from a Tesla Model 3 but with similar specs and a comparable driving experience, look no further than the Polestar 2. This sleek electric vehicle has a panoramic roof and an Android tablet screen that connects seamlessly to Google Maps with no need for a phone connection -- and it has Spotify, a radio, and a "Hey Google" function too. You can even control the heated front seats (included) and the car's temperature from the tablet. Also included with the driving experience is a digital driver display behind the steering wheel with multiple views that helps you navigate to where you need to go without being distracted by your phone. Also: An electrifying weekend with the Polestar 2 Speaking of phones, you can actually open this car with your phone! Just download the free Polestar app, link it to your Polestar ID, and safely unlock your car by touching the door handle. You can even set the car's temperature in advance -- perfect for hot days when your car feels like an oven or cold days when you need to warm up. When it comes to the car's design, Polestar has its design roots in Volvo, which can be seen in subtle choices throughout the vehicle. The audio with the Polestar 2 is top-notch: The system delivers 250 watts through eight speakers, including one mounted underneath the hood, just underneath the windshield. The Polestar 2 holds its own as an electric car with top-of-the-line features. Video review: A comprehensive, entertaining walkthrough of this vehicle Pros: * The first car with Google built-in * The digital driver display is user-friendly * About eight hours of charging on a 3-phase 16A (11 kW) home charging station is all that this car needs * Frameless door mirrors that move as a unit * Lots of space in the trunk Cons: * The backseat and trunk aren't as roomy as a Tesla Model 3's * Back windows only go down about halfway * Heavier than the Tesla Model 3 View now at CarvanaView now at Polestar LUCID AIR BEST LUXURY ELECTRIC CAR Lucid Features: * 131 MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent) * Estimated charging cost per year: $500 * Up to 520 miles per charge * Max speed: 168 mph * Max power: 1,111 hp * Accelerates from 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds * Price: $87,500, with certain editions (the Air Dream and the Air Grand Touring) qualifying for up to $7,500 federal tax credit This car won the prestigious 2022 MotorTrends Car of the Year award for a reason -- it's incredibly powerful in both range and horsepower. You get up to 520 miles per charge, and it only takes 20 minutes to charge the car up to 300 miles. The car is made of sustainable materials and finishes and has the option of a glass canopy roof. Its staggering 1,111 hp max power is more than double that of the Polestar 2 and the Tesla Model 3, and that max power finds a perfect complement in the 2.5-second acceleration time needed to get from 0-60 mph. I admired the dashboard display on the Polestar 2, but the Lucid Air takes it to a higher level with a 34-inch, 5K glass cockpit display, a 21-speaker surreal sound system, and Alexa-enabled voice commands. The only downside is the luxury price range for this line of electric vehicles. The Lucid Air Pure starts at $87,400 while the most expensive option of the lot, the Lucid Air Dream Edition, starts at an eye-watering $169,000. Pros: * Up to 520 miles per charge means an unrivaled range * It only takes 20 minutes to charge the car up to 300 miles * It has a distinctive design that doesn't look like anything else on the road * Came out on top compared to other cars, electric or otherwise, to secure the car of the Year award. The criteria included efficiency, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence, safety, and performance. Cons: * Expensive * Slight delays in screen responsiveness * Most drivers might not need that much horsepower View now at Lucid CHEVROLET BOLT BEST AFFORDABLE ELECTRIC CAR Chevrolet Features: * 120 MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent) * Estimated charging cost per year: $550 * Up to 259 miles on a single charge * Max speed: 90.1 mph * Max power: 200 hp * Accelerates 0-60 in 6.5 seconds * Price: $26,595 This car costs about the same to charge per year as a Tesla and has a 120 MPGe, which sets it apart as a highly efficient EV -- and yet it's much more affordable than cars with similar stats. The standard model comes with Chevy Safety Assist, which has front pedestrian braking, forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, distance indicator for a vehicle you're following, and auto high beams, which adjust to traffic conditions. That's a considerable amount of value for the standard model price tag. Chevy will install a Level 2 charging outlet in your home for free if you purchase or lease a 2022 Bolt EV or EUV. If you go on a road trip, download the myChevrolet mobile app to calculate when you'll need to stop to charge along the way -- and find those needed charging stations too. The app uses the vehicle's current battery level and real-time weather to alert you when to stop and charge the car when you're on the road. It automatically changes its recommendations when driving conditions change. The 8-inch graphic display behind the driving wheel shows you essential driver information, like the battery range. There's another screen above the radio, a built-in tablet, that wirelessly connects to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so that you can stay connected. The icing on the cake is a built-in Alexa that responds to every question and command. This car incorporates the essential high-tech features of luxury options at an accessible price point. The 2023 Bolt is cheaper than the comparable Nissan Leaf and has a significantly higher driving range. It also has a 56.6 cubic feet cargo capacity with the rear seats folded down compared to the Leaf's 30 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Pros: * Free Level 2 home charging outlet installation * myChevrolet mobile app tells you when it's time to charge * Wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and built-in Alexa * The standard model comes with Chevy Safety Assist Cons: * Only has 200 hp * Six-speaker audio system is not as powerful as other options View now at CarvanaView now at Chevrolet HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC BEST ELECTRIC SUV Hyundai Features: * 120 MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent) * Estimated charging cost per year: $550 * Up to 258 miles on one charge * Max speed: 103.8 mph * Max power: 201 hp * Price: $34,000, minus a federal tax credit up to $7,500 The Kona Electric is a formidable all-electric SUV that prioritizes safety and comfort. The steering wheel has mounted audio and cruise controls, the basic package comes with an 8-inch color touchscreen display for audio, and there's a push-button start. There are some class-exclusive features of the Kona that aren't available on the Chevy Bolt EUV, like the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Class exclusive safety features include Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. The vehicle can also avoid forward collisions with a pedestrian detect feature and monitors your driving patterns to detect drowsy or inattentive driving. The convenience package is $3,500, and it gives you access to some of the perks that higher-end electric vehicles have, including heated front seats, a sunroof, LED interior lighting, and the Hyundai Digital Key, which is an app on your phone that you can use to control your car. Pros: * 8-inch touchscreen display * Has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for your phone * Audio and digital controls are mounted to the steering wheel * Can upgrade to the Hyundai Digital Key, which allows you to control your car from your phone Cons: * It doesn't have the power or acceleration ability of some of the other options on this list * Upgrading to the convenience package costs an additional $3,500 View now at CarvanaView now at Hyundai WHAT IS THE BEST ELECTRIC CAR? You can't go wrong with a Tesla Model 3. It gives you the best MPGe and has a low charging cost per year, making it the most efficient model. EV Price MPGe Annual Charging Cost Tesla Model 3 $59,490 132 MPGe $500/year Polestar 2 $40,900 107 MPGe $600/year Lucid Air $87,500 131 MPGe $500/year Chevrolet Bolt $26,595 120 MPGe $550/year Hyundai Kona Electric $34,000 120 MPGe $550/year WHICH IS THE RIGHT ELECTRIC CAR FOR YOU? Maybe you need an SUV or an affordable car or maybe you're in the market for something more luxurious. The right electric car for you depends on your budget and the features you absolutely cannot live without. Choose this EV… If you want… Tesla Model 3 Great design and innovation Polestar 2 Affordable innovation Lucid Air The most luxurious option Chevrolet Bolt The most affordable option Hyundai Kona Electric An all-electric SUV HOW DID WE CHOOSE THESE ELECTRIC CARS? I looked at MPGe, affordability, charging cost, acceleration time, power, and innovation in terms of out-of-the-box features that set one car apart from another. One or more of these factors might mean more to you than the others, so I tried to cast a wide net for specs, but not too wide that you were drowning in the details, like available colors or wheel size. WHAT IS THE NO. 1 SELLING ELECTRIC CAR? You guessed it -- it's the Tesla Model 3, with over a million units sold. The Nissan Leaf comes in second, with half a million units. WHICH EV IS THE BEST VALUE FOR THE MONEY? I was impressed by the Chevy Bolt -- it packs in a lot of value and prioritizes safety. Also, the free Level 2 charging installation at home is a welcome perk. HOW LONG DO ELECTRIC CARS LAST? An electric car battery usually lasts 10-20 years before it needs to be replaced, but EV manufacturers usually guarantee a shorter time frame of up to eight years. ARE THERE ALTERNATIVE EVS WORTH CONSIDERING? Yes there are! You can access a mix of luxury and affordable options below. These are all as high-efficiency as the top five, meaning that they have comparable MPGe values and cost to charge per year. NISSAN LEAF $27,800 at Nissan BMW I4 $55,900 at BMW KIA EV6 $33,900 at Kia ZDNET RECOMMENDS * The 6 best Samsung phones: Explore a new Galaxy * The top 5 wireless headphones: Great sound untethered * Our favorite Netflix alternatives: Binge-watch elsewhere * The 6 best buy now, pay later apps: Pay off that big purchase over time * Must-have lawn mowers: Top gas and electric-powered mowers Show Comments Log In to Comment Community Guidelines Add Your Comment RELATED The 5 best electric mowers of 2022 THE 5 BEST ELECTRIC MOWERS OF 2022 Yard & Outdoors The 6 best smart blinds and shades of 2022 THE 6 BEST SMART BLINDS AND SHADES OF 2022 Smart Home Best online colleges in Michigan 2022 BEST ONLINE COLLEGES IN MICHIGAN 2022 Education Connect With Us * * * * © 2022 ZDNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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