Ready to Ditch Your Gas Guzzler? Here Are the Best Used Electric SUVs You Can Buy
With gas prices at an all-time high and no relief in sight, you might want to get rid of your money pit, gas-guzzling vehicle, and drive an efficient electric SUV. If you’re not ready to pay new car prices for your EV SUV, that’s ok. These vehicles have been around long enough that you can find a wide variety of impressive used electric SUVs that can put more green back in your pocket.
Marry the used electric SUV you want with the driving range you need
You don’t have to look back too far to find the right vehicle to drive. If you look at the 2017-19 model year range, Cars.com offers a nice list of electric SUVs that allow you to charge up overnight and enjoy a quality drive. Here are their suggested models, along with the driving range each one offers.
- Tesla Model X Long Range – 325 miles
- Hyundai Kona Electric – 258 miles
- Kia Niro EV – 239 miles
- Jaguar I-Pace – 234 miles
- Audi E-Tron – 204 miles
- Kia Soul EV – 111 miles
The driving range you need depends on how far you go every day. Each of these EVs can be charged overnight to give you a full charge when you’re ready to head out for the day.
When you have a budget, these EV SUVs are right for you
If you only want to spend a specified amount, let’s say $30,000, for the used electric SUV you drive, you’ll want to see the list of models that Kelley Blue Book offers. These vehicles could both fit in your budget and give you the electric driving experience you desire:
- 2019 Kia Niro EV
- Kia Soul EV 2019
- 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric
- 2014 Toyota RAV4 EV
The RAV4 is the only model added to the list from Cars.com because it didn’t fit into the model years reviewed. If you choose the Toyota, you’ll have an electric SUV that offers 103 miles of driving and is likely the most affordable EV SUV of those listed so far.
How long should a used electric SUV last?
The model year and the miles driven are the two factors that contribute to how long your electric SUV lasts. According to U. S. News and World Report, EV batteries degrade over time. Time is the greatest enemy of any battery component. The older the vehicle is, the less of the original power the batteries will hold. The average battery pack has a lifespan of around 200,000 miles. If you’re shopping for a used model, you’ll want to find one with 100,000 miles or less.
Incidentally, US News agrees with Cars.com regarding the best used electric SUVs.
What are the benefits of buying used?
When it comes to electric vehicles, some of the benefits are enjoyed by you as the new owner and those around you. Three main points make buying a used electric SUV a great option for you.
- Environmental Impact – With no emissions from exhaust fumes, the environment is protected, and the air quality is improved.
- Better Condition – Most EVs are driven less than gas-powered vehicles. There are fewer moving parts in EVs than in ICE models. You’ll likely find a low-mileage electric SUV in much better condition than you expect.
- Value – As the next owner of an electric SUV, this plays in your favor. EVs typically lose value much faster than comparable gas-powered vehicles. You could find a four-year-old electric SUV and only pay about half of its original value.
Which SUV is right for you?
Are you looking for the latest model, longest driving range, or lowest price in the used electric SUV you drive? When you figure out which of these items is most important to you, you’ll quickly find the vehicle that makes the most sense. The sweet spot seems to be with the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV, which both offer plenty of driving miles on a full charge and should be affordable.
Next, learn what Turkey has to sustain our EV future, or watch the Hyundai Kona Electric review in the video below:
This article was updated on 8/25/2022.
