The Chevrolet Bolt was the perfect example of what an affordable electric car for the masses really is. It’s not massive, though the Bolt EUV is a bit larger, with starting prices ranging from $26,500 to $27,800. The Bolt wasn’t meant to be a performance car, so its meager 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque is more than ample for a daily commute, as is the range of up to 259 miles. The Chevy Bolt, however, is being discontinued, so if you’re looking for that electric family car that won’t break the bank and won’t put you in your seat, you’ll have to start looking elsewhere. Fortunately, there are a lot of solid alternatives to the Chevy Bolt, some of which even have a little more pep in their step, so to speak.
10 Nissan Leaf: $28,040
Priced similar to the Chevrolet Bolt, the Nissan Leaf is one of the first alternatives you have in terms of cheap compact electric cars. The 2023 Leaf is offered in two trims: S and SV Plus, with prices starting at $28,040 and $36,040, respectively. The Leaf S is powered by a 110-kW electric motor that delivers 147 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, while the SV Plus gets a 160-kW electric motor that produces 214 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Both models have a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery, but while the S has a range of only 149 miles, in the SV Plus it has been increased to 212 miles. Unfortunately, both Leaf models are on the list of the least efficient electric vehicles. The good news is that the more powerful one also has a Quick Charge port that will take the battery back to 80 percent in about 60 minutes. The Leaf has 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 30 cubic feet with these seats folded.
9 Hyundai Ioniq 5: $41,450
If you are in the market for a compact EV you have many choices to go with, but very few of them will be priced under $30,000. Even if a little bit pricier, a very cool alternative for the Bolt is the Hyundai Ioniq 5. For the 2023 model year, the Ioniq 5 comes in three trims: SE, SEL, and Limited, with prices ranging from $41,450 to $52,600. Of course, the best alternative is the RWD Limited which offers up to 303 miles of range, but the entry-level is not that bad either, even if it only offers 220 miles of range. The Ioniq 5 has DC fast-charge capability that can charge the battery from 10- to 80-percent in just 18 minutes. The Ioniq 5 has either one or two electric motors with power ranging from 168 to 320 horsepower. The Ioniq 5 also has a very decent cargo space, ranging from 27.2 cubic feet to 59.3 cubic feet with the seats down.
8 Mini Electric: $34,225
During its long history, the Mini Cooper has won the hearts of many, and despite the all-electric version not being as successful, it still remains a nice alternative on the compact EV market. Mini's EV is built on the same platform as the BMW i3 and it is offered with a single electric motor that delivers a total of 181 horsepower with 199 pound-feet of torque. A 32.6 kWh lithium-ion battery provides a range of only 114 miles - making the Cooper SE one of the EVs with the lowest range on the market. The good news is that the Copper SE benefits from fast charging capabilities, and it needs only 36 minutes to recharge back to 80 percent. And, when you consider that most of the daily commutes aren't this long, Mini's EV can be the perfect daily driver. It is also relatively cheap, with a starting price of $34,225.
7 Tesla Model 3: $40,240
With one of the best ranges in the compact EV class, the Tesla Model 3 remains one of the best alternatives on the market. For the 2023 model year, the Model 3 is offered in three trims: Model 3, Model 3 Long Range, and Model 3 Performance with prices ranging from $40,240 to $53,240. Tesla's EV delivers up to 455 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque, and in its best configuration, has a range of more than 325 miles. The Model 3 is also a very fast EV: it can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in as low as 3.1 seconds, but even the entry-level model has a sprint time of 5.8 seconds. The Model 3 can carry up to 19.8 cubic feet of luggage with all four passengers in the car and adds another 3.1 cubic feet of space in the frunk.
6 Hyundai Ioniq 6: $45,500
Although not exactly in the same class, and considerably more expensive, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 should be the first choice for those looking for a compact EV. The Ioniq 6 is the latest addition to Hyundai's lineup, and it is offered in three trims with prices ranging from $45,500 to $52,600. You will either get a choice of a single rear motor with 225 horsepower or a dual motor setup with a combined output of 320 miles. In its best configuration, the Ioniq 6 offers up to 340 miles and can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. It also benefits from ultra-fast 800-Volt charging technologies and needs only 18 minutes to recharge to 80 percent. The Ioniq 6 however loses in terms of trunk space as it can only carry up to 11.2 cubic feet of cargo.
5 Hyundai Kona Electric: $33,550
The Hyundai Kona Electric is a very decent alternative to the Bolt EUV. The two cars are priced almost identical, although the Kona EV is priced from $33,550 to $41,550 based on the trim. The two compact crossovers offer similar interior space, although The Bolt EUV offers more legroom in both the front and rear rows of seats. In terms of power, the two are again identical, as the Kona EV is powered by one electric motor that delivers a total of 201 horsepower. However, with the Kona you will get a little bit more range, as its 64.0 kWh battery pack offers up to 258 miles on a single charge. The Kona Electric also benefits from fast charging capabilities, and it needs 48 minutes to recharge from 10 to 80 percent. With the Hyundai crossover, you will also get more cargo space - 19.2 cubic-feet with the seats up and 45.8 cubic feet with the second row folded down.
4 Volkswagen ID.4: $37,495
Another cool alternative with a starting price under $40,000 is the Volkswagen ID.4 - an EV that moves in the compact SUV class, but is worth paying the extra money. For the 2023 model year, customers can choose between four trims: Standard, Standard Pro, S, and S Plus, with prices ranging from $37,495 to $53,745. The entry-level ID.4 is the one with an identical 201 horsepower, but if you want to pay a little bit extra you can get the top version models that are powered by two electric motors with a combined 295 horsepower. Depending on the trim, the ID.4 comes with either a 62-kWh or an 82-kWh battery pack that offers a range anywhere between 209 and 275 miles. When putting the two cars side by side, the guys over at Motor Trend said the Bolt EUV offers "middling interior materials and uncomfortable seats" and has one of the lowest cargo areas in its class. The ID.4 on the other hand offers a great 30.3 cubic feet with the seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded.
3 Ford Mustang Mach-E: $45,995
It may not be the cheapest alternative for the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, but the Mustang Mach-E is for sure one that will make people turn their heads. The Mach-E is offered in four trims: Select, Premium, California Route 1, and GT with prices ranging from $45,995 to $63,995. Of course, the best option will be the Mach-E GT - a trim that will give you sports-car-like performance figures - but the entry-level models are also a very decent alternative to the Bolt. The Mach-E delivers anywhere between 266 and 480 horsepower and has a range of 224 to 312 miles - depending on the trim and the equipment level. It also offers plenty of interior space, with 29.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The frunk adds an extra 4.7 cubic feet of storage space. The Mach-E can also be used to tow up to 3,300 pounds.
2 Chevrolet Equinox EV: $30,000 (est)
The new Equinox EV will be available in the fall of 2023 and will have a starting price of $30,000. The 2024 Equinox EV will be offered with one electric motor or with two electric motors, with power ranging from 210 horsepower and 242 pound-feet of torque for the standard front-wheel drive version and 290 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque for the AWD version. The EV has a range of up to 300 miles and will benefit from fast charging feature of up to 150kW that adds up to 70 miles of range in about 10 minutes. Customers will get to choose between five different trims, with the interior loaded with tons of technology for all five of them. The base models will get an 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster, while the top trims will come with a much bigger 17.7-inch central screen.
1 Kia Niro EV: $39,500
Another very good alternative to the Bolt EUV comes from Kia. The 2023 Niro EV is offered in two trims: Wind, priced at $39,550, and Wave, priced at $44,550. The Niro is about five inches longer than the Bolt EUV, and it offers a little bit of interior room. However, it doesn't come with an extended glass roof, so the interior doesn't offer as much light. But, with the Niro EV, you can carry more luggage around: it comes with a cargo space of 22.8 cubic feet with the seats up and 63.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Niro features a permanent synchronous electric with a total of 201 horsepower, while a 64.8 kWh battery pack that ensures a range of 253 miles. A DC fast charger will recharge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 45 minutes. A cool feature offered by the Niro EV is an optional heat pump and a battery warmer that will help with the range in cold temperatures.