Best Electric Cars for 2024
The best electric cars are ranked based on a data-driven analysis of over 330 million vehicles' reliability, resale value, and safety.
iSeeCars applies data science to over 330 million vehicles in order to understand each model’s reliability and how long-lasting it is, its safety, and its ability to retain value over time. This analysis allows iSeeCars to rank electric cars by a data-driven and objective methodology, instead of relying on subjective editorial criteria.
The best electric car is the Tesla Model 3. Its iSeeCars Quality Score of 8.3 out of 10 reflects the Model 3's reliability, value retention and safety scores. A new Tesla Model 3 costs between $38,990 and $52,990 while a used version costs between $21,751 and $36,998. This electric car can seat up to 5 people and is EPA rated to deliver up to 127 miles per gallon equivalent in mixed city/highway driving.
The Electric Car category consists of 26 models priced between $23,900 and $249,000 for new vehicles and between $7,000 and $206,079 for used vehicles. iSeeCars has sufficient vehicle data to rate and rank 6 of these 26 models based on their reliability, value retention and safety scores.
This list focuses on electric passenger cars, so there are no electric SUVs or pickup trucks here. Check out our Best Electric SUVs list to see larger, more practical vehicles powered by an electric drivetrain.
This list also does not include hybrid or plug-in hybrid models that come with electric motors paired with internal combustion engines. However, every model on this list, which covers both new cars and used electric cars, is CO2 emissions-free.
Keep in mind that while electric motors are known for their high horsepower and torque specs, they don’t have the same long range or rapid refueling that traditional internal combustion or hybrid vehicles have. Even electric cars capable of fast-charging will require at least 15-20 minutes to regain more than 100 miles of range. Yet electric vehicles have their own advantages, ranging from federal and state tax credits to a standard 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.
Check out our Best Electric SUVs for larger electric vehicles, for shoppers who aren’t ready to commit to a fully electric yet, iSeeCars has identified the Best Hybrid Cars and Best Hybrid SUVs, many of which are plug-in hybrids that can run on full electricity for short distances.
This list focuses on electric passenger cars, so there are no electric SUVs or pickup trucks here. Check out our Best Electric SUVs list to see larger, more practical vehicles powered by an electric drivetrain.
This list also does not include hybrid or plug-in hybrid models that come with electric motors paired with internal combustion engines. However, every model on this list, which covers both new cars and used electric cars, is CO2 emissions-free.
Keep in mind that while electric motors are known for their high horsepower and torque specs, they don’t have the same long range or rapid refueling that traditional internal combustion or hybrid vehicles have. Even electric cars capable of fast-charging will require at least 15-20 minutes to regain more than 100 miles of range. Yet electric vehicles have their own advantages, ranging from federal and state tax credits to a standard 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.
Check out our Best Electric SUVs for larger electric vehicles, for shoppers who aren’t ready to commit to a fully electric yet, iSeeCars has identified the Best Hybrid Cars and Best Hybrid SUVs, many of which are plug-in hybrids that can run on full electricity for short distances.
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- Reliability 7.2 / 10
- Value Retention 7.6 / 10
- Safety 10 / 10
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- Reliability 9.4 / 10
- Value Retention 6.8 / 10
- Safety Not Available
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- Reliability 7.1 / 10
- Value Retention 6.9 / 10
- Safety 10 / 10
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- Reliability 6.9 / 10
- Value Retention 7.0 / 10
- Safety 10 / 10
5. Hyundai IONIQ Electric
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- Reliability 7.9 / 10
- Value Retention 7.5 / 10
- Safety Not Available
6. BMW i3 (electric)
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- Reliability 7.2 / 10
- Value Retention 6.4 / 10
- Safety Not Available
Smart EQ fortwo (hatchback)
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 7.8 / 10
- Safety Not Available
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 7.7 / 10
- Safety 8.0 / 10
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 7.7 / 10
- Safety Not Available
Smart EQ fortwo (convertible)
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 7.7 / 10
- Safety Not Available
Honda Clarity Electric
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 7.6 / 10
- Safety Not Available
Volkswagen e-Golf
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 7.6 / 10
- Safety Not Available
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 7.5 / 10
- Safety Not Available
Kia Soul EV
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 7.4 / 10
- Safety Not Available
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 7.2 / 10
- Safety 10 / 10
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 6.9 / 10
- Safety Not Available
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 6.7 / 10
- Safety Not Available
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 6.6 / 10
- Safety 10 / 10
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 6.6 / 10
- Safety Not Available
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 6.5 / 10
- Safety 10 / 10
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 6.4 / 10
- Safety Not Available
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 6.3 / 10
- Safety Not Available
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 6.3 / 10
- Safety Not Available
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 6.2 / 10
- Safety Not Available
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 6.2 / 10
- Safety Not Available
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- Reliability Coming soon
- Value Retention 6.0 / 10
- Safety Not Available
Related Rankings
How We Rank These Cars
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on the latest analysis by our data science team of more than 330 million cars.
The overall iSeeCars Quality Score combines analyses of these three factors: reliability, resale value, and safety. It is calculated based on the latest research and analysis by our data science team. The data analysis comes from over 330 million vehicles as reported in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies. These two factors are combined with NHTSA and/or IIHS Safety Ratings to determine a car’s Quality Score. Only cars with recent model years are included.
Each vehicle is rated on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest Quality Score. Vehicles within a given category are sorted to show the highest-scoring ones first. If two cars have the same ratings, the tie is broken by the Reliability Rating, Value Retention Score, and Safety Score. iSeeCars displays comprehensive Quality Scores along with the subscores for each model because multiple factors should be taken into account when buyers are seeking the best overall vehicle.
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).