For years, buying an affordable electric SUV meant accepting one major compromise: limited driving range. That’s no longer the case. Advances in battery technology and growing competition have made it possible to get well over 300 miles on a charge without spending luxury-car money.

Whether you’re replacing a gas-powered family SUV or buying your first EV, there are now several compelling options that combine long range with accessible pricing. These models prove you don’t need to cross the $40,000 threshold to leave range anxiety behind while still getting the practicality buyers expect from a modern crossover.

5

2026 Subaru Uncharted

Maximum EPA range estimate: 308 miles / Starting MSRP: $34,995

New for 2026 is an affordable electric vehicle in Subaru’s lineup, built side-by-side with the new Toyota C-HR. With a starting price of just under $35,000, it is one of the cheapest ways to get behind the wheel of a new EV. Unlike its Toyota counterpart, Subaru offers a front-wheel drive model with lower output with a lower price, which is why it is capable of a range advantage.

Performance and efficiency

Base Trim Engine

Electric

Base Trim Transmission

Single-Speed Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

221 hp

Make

Subaru

Model

Uncharted

Segment

Midsize SUV

The Uncharted comes in two different setups. The base model features a single motor that powers the front wheels, putting down a total of 221 horsepower. Every other model comes with a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup that puts down an increased 338 horsepower, obviously at the cost of range. Regardless of setup, you get a 67-kWh battery pack, meaning the single-motor model is capable of up to 308 miles of range and dual-motor models are rated for 273 miles on a single charge.

Pros

• Smooth and comfortable ride
• More spacious than you’d think
• Tons of interior improvements over Subaru’s older EVs

Cons

• The enticing 338 horsepower models sacrifice quite a bit of range
• Its design is clearly mostly Toyota’s influence
• No real off-road capability

4

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5

Maximum EPA estimated range: 318 miles / Starting MSRP: $35,000

In our minds, there are few, if any, electric SUVs that offer better value for money than the Ioniq 5. Hyundai has really knocked it out of the park with their compact EV. It does all the things you expect from an EV, from being quick off the line to delivering a smooth and quiet ride, but it is also packed with character. From its quirky, retro design to the way it drives, Hyundai has remembered that driving should be something enjoyable.

Performance and efficiency

Base Trim Engine

EV

Base Trim Transmission

Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

168 HP

Base Trim Torque

258 lb.-ft.

Base Trim Fuel Economy Equivalent (city/highway/combined)

127/94/110 mpge

Base Trim Battery Type

Lithium ion (Li-ion)

Make

Hyundai

Model

Ioniq 5

The base Ioniq 5 comes with a single-motor, rear-wheel drive setup, putting down a humble 168 horses. Most other models come with a 225 horsepower rear-mounted motor instead. You can upgrade to a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup and get a much more exciting 320 horsepower setup instead, though. The 168 horsepower model gets a 63-kWh battery, meaning you only get 245 miles of range. Every other model gets an 84-kWh battery instead, meaning you get up to 318 miles in single-motor models and 290 miles in dual-motor models.

Hyundai also offers a high-octane, 641-horsepower Ioniq 5 N, but the EPA estimates these only manage 190 miles on a full charge.

Pros

• Fantastic curb appeal
• Really fun to drive, especially for an EV
• Very fast charging speeds

Cons

• Steering could use a little more feedback
• Tiny frunk is basically unusable
• Dual-motor models break the $40,000 mark

3

2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV

Maximum EPA range estimate: 319 miles / Starting MSRP: $34,995

While the Equinox isn’t going to excite you with a fancy interior or sporty driving dynamics, it comes in at a pretty affordable price point and offers plenty of features for the money that you pay. We also really appreciate how much it feels like a normal car, as we’re not really impressed with the bevy of modern EVs that try far too hard to look futuristic.

Performance and efficiency

Base Trim Engine

EV

Base Trim Transmission

1-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

213 HP

Base Trim Torque

236 lb.-ft.

Base Trim Fuel Economy Equivalent (city/highway/combined)

117/100/109 mpge

Base Trim Battery Type

Lithium ion (Li-ion)

Make

Chevrolet

Model

Equinox EV

Standard in the 2026 Equinox EV is a single electric motor that sends 220 horsepower to the front wheels. Sportier models feature a second electric motor powering the rear wheels, boosting output up to 300 horses. Front-wheel-drive models are pretty sluggish by EV standards, but they manage 319 miles of range thanks to the standard. All-wheel drive models feel quicker and don’t sacrifice range all that much, with the EPA estimating they’ll get around 307 miles on a charge.

Pros

• You don’t sacrifice much range for more power
• Modern but appealing interior
• Super Cruise hands-free driving

Cons

• Single-motor models are a little lethargic
• Cargo area is a little cramped
• No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto

2

2026 Kia EV6

Maximum EPA estimated range: 319 miles / Starting MSRP: $37,900

Once you get down to the spec sheet, there are a lot of similarities between the Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Their designs are radically different, though, with Kia taking a sleeker, more contemporary approach to things. At its core, though, the EV6 is a sensible and comfortable electric crossover with a better driving experience than you’d expect in this segment.

Performance and efficiency

Base Trim Engine

Electric

Base Trim Transmission

Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Other

Base Trim Horsepower

167 HP

Base Trim Torque

258 lb.-ft.

Base Trim Fuel Economy Equivalent (city/highway/combined)

128/103/115 mpge

Base Trim Battery Type

Lithium ion (Li-ion)

Make

Kia

Model

EV6

The powertrain choices here are the same as what is offered in the Ioniq 5. Base models feature a 168 horsepower rear-drive setup, with most other models coming with a 225 horsepower motor instead. All-wheel drive models add another electric motor, boosting output up to 320 horses. Because of their smaller batteries, base models are only good for 237 miles on a single charge. Other models come with the 84-kWh battery, meaning rear-drive models get up to 319 miles of range, and all-wheel drive models are capable of up to 295 miles.

Pros

• Good balance of ride and handling
• Tons of standard tech features
• Wagon-like profile

Cons

• More expensive than the mechanically similar Ioniq 5
• Infotainment system needs to be refined
• Outward visibility isn’t the best

1

2026 Tesla Model Y

Maximum EPA estimated range: 357 miles* / Starting MSRP: $37,900

The Tesla Model Y is one of the most popular vehicles in the world right now, with it offering fantastic range and technology at a relatively affordable price. It was refreshed for the 2026 model year, but it remains as stylistically underwhelming as it always has been. If all you’re after is something simple, cheap, and easy to use, the Model Y is still a great choice, though.

Performance and efficiency

Base Trim Engine

Electric

Base Trim Transmission

Single Speed Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

425 HP

Fuel Economy

120 MPGe Combined

Make

Tesla

Model

Model Y

Segment

Compact SUV

Tesla, for some ridiculous reason, likes to keep a lot of statistics under lock and key, likely to avoid direct comparisons to rivals. Regardless, though, you’re never going to be disappointed with the amount of power on tap, whether you opt for a single-motor, rear-drive model or a dual-motor all-wheel drive model.

*There is a caveat to including the Model Y on this list, as only the base model sits under $40,000. While the rear-wheel drive Premium trim is capable of 357 miles on a charge, it costs $45,990. The rear-wheel drive version of the base model, however, starts at $39,990 and is rated for 321 miles, which means it still tops our list.

Pros

Cons

• Completely devoid of character
• Way too reliant on touchscreen controls
• FSD has fallen behind the competition

You don’t have to overspend on an EV to get 300 miles of range

The number of affordable electric SUVs on the market is constantly growing, with there even being some newcomers on our list above. With battery technology developing at such a rapid rate, range anxiety is also slowly but surely becoming a thing of the past. In our minds, the average person will do just fine with 300 miles of range on a charge, something that every one of the above models achieves for less than $40,000.