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Best Small Electric Cars for 2025

The best small 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 small electric cars by a data-driven and objective methodology, instead of relying on subjective editorial criteria.

The best small 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 small 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 Small Electric Car category consists of 13 models priced between $23,900 and $70,700 for new vehicles and between $7,000 and $68,865 for used vehicles. iSeeCars has sufficient vehicle data to rate and rank 5 of these 13 models based on their reliability, value retention and safety scores.

Are there small, affordable EVs with sufficient driving range to perform more than basic commuting needs, and with fast-charging technology to reduce re-charge times while offering enough rear seat room to serve a family? These are fair questions, particularly given the higher starting price of an EV compared to a traditional new car. Thankfully, today’s variety of electric vehicles is better than ever, with most new models offering advanced driver-assist technology and infotainment features – like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – plus intuitive touchscreen controls, as standard equipment. The best electric cars include those features along with attractive, sporty styling, 250-plus miles of range, a roomy interior, and a confidence-inspiring warranty. 

iSeeCars has listed the best small electric vehicles below from a variety of automakers. To provide the widest range of buying options the list includes smaller hatchbacks and crossovers. Shoppers looking to fill basic “around town” needs can focus less on long range models, which tend to cost more, while buyers living in colder climates might zero in on all-wheel drive models. 

iSeeCars has ranked these small electric cars based on their iSeeCars Quality Score, though their EPA-rated range, along with new and used pricing are also included. If none of these small electric vehicles are sufficient, consider the vehicles in the Best Electric SUVs list or the Best Luxury Electric SUVs list. Another option for buyers not ready to go fully electric is our Best Hybrid SUVs list, which include plug-in hybrids that can operate in pure electric (zero emissions) mode for varying distances before the engine fires up to continue driving.

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Are there small, affordable EVs with sufficient driving range to perform more than basic commuting needs, and with fast-charging technology to reduce re-charge times while offering enough rear seat room to serve a family? These are fair questions, particularly given the higher starting price of an EV compared to a traditional new car. Thankfully, today’s variety of electric vehicles is better than ever, with most new models offering advanced driver-assist technology and infotainment features – like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – plus intuitive touchscreen controls, as standard equipment. The best electric cars include those features along with attractive, sporty styling, 250-plus miles of range, a roomy interior, and a confidence-inspiring warranty. 

iSeeCars has listed the best small electric vehicles below from a variety of automakers. To provide the widest range of buying options the list includes smaller hatchbacks and crossovers. Shoppers looking to fill basic “around town” needs can focus less on long range models, which tend to cost more, while buyers living in colder climates might zero in on all-wheel drive models. 

iSeeCars has ranked these small electric cars based on their iSeeCars Quality Score, though their EPA-rated range, along with new and used pricing are also included. If none of these small electric vehicles are sufficient, consider the vehicles in the Best Electric SUVs list or the Best Luxury Electric SUVs list. Another option for buyers not ready to go fully electric is our Best Hybrid SUVs list, which include plug-in hybrids that can operate in pure electric (zero emissions) mode for varying distances before the engine fires up to continue driving.

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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
8.3 / 10
  • Reliability 7.2 / 10
  • Value Retention 7.6 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
Vehicle Image
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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
Vehicle Image
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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
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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
7.7 / 10
  • Reliability 7.9 / 10
  • Value Retention 7.5 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
Vehicle Image
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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
6.8 / 10
  • Reliability 7.2 / 10
  • Value Retention 6.4 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
Vehicle Image
See More Photos
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
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 7.8 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
Vehicle Image
See More Photos
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
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 7.7 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
Vehicle Image
See More Photos
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
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 7.7 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
Vehicle Image
See More Photos
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
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 7.7 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
Vehicle Image
See More Photos
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
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 7.6 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
Vehicle Image
See More Photos
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
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 7.4 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
Vehicle Image
See More Photos
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
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 6.7 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
Vehicle Image
See More Photos
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
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 6.6 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
Vehicle Image
See More Photos

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).