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Best Electric Compact Cars Under $30k for 2024

The best electric compact cars under $30k based on a data-driven analysis of each vehicle's reliability, resale value and safety.

The best electric compact car under $30,000 is the Chevrolet Bolt EV based on our analysis of 12 million vehicles to assess their reliability, resale value and safety. The Chevrolet Bolt EV has a starting MSRP of $26,500 with an overall iSeeCars score of 8. Coming in at number 2 is the Nissan LEAF with a starting MSRP of $28,140 and iSeeCars score of 8. iSeeCars analyzed vehicles with starting MSRP between $25,000 and $30,000 for this list.

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Which electric compact car under $30k is the best?
  1. Chevrolet Bolt EV
  2. Nissan LEAF

The best electric compact car under $30,000 is the Chevrolet Bolt EV based on our analysis of 12 million vehicles to assess their reliability, resale value and safety. The Chevrolet Bolt EV has a starting MSRP of $26,500 with an overall iSeeCars score of 8. Coming in at number 2 is the Nissan LEAF with a starting MSRP of $28,140 and iSeeCars score of 8. iSeeCars analyzed vehicles with starting MSRP between $25,000 and $30,000 for this list.

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iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.0 / 10
  • Reliability 7.1 / 10
  • Value Retention 6.9 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.0 / 10
  • Reliability 6.9 / 10
  • Value Retention 7.0 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
Vehicle Image
See More Photos

How We Rank These Cars

iSeeCars Best Cars Under $30k Rankings are calculated based on the latest research by our data science team and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

We analyze data from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with the NHTSA's Safety Ratings to give you an unbiased guide to the best vehicles in each segment.

After being evaluated, vehicles with the highest average scores earn a spot in the iSeeCars Best Car Rankings. (No final score is given to vehicles missing a score in any of the categories, but scores for other categories are still shown.)

Vehicles are scored in three categories:

Reliability

The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.

Value Retention

The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.

Safety

The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).