The most reliable used electric cars you can buy right now

Buying used makes particular financial sense in the electric vehicle segment. New EVs carry premium prices that reflect both the technology cost and the novelty premium of early adoption, and many depreciate quickly enough that a two- or three-year-old model can be had for substantially less than its original purchase price without meaningful loss of utility. The underlying technology — battery chemistry, motor efficiency, software — has not advanced so dramatically that a 2021 or 2022 EV represents an inferior product for most buyers’ needs. A used EV buyer captures the value the first owner absorbed on the way down and, in many cases, gets a vehicle that still outperforms new gasoline alternatives on operating costs.

The range of options in the used EV market has expanded rapidly as the original generation of mass-market electric vehicles approaches ages 3 to 5 years. Buyers can now choose from full-size electric pickups, performance-oriented electric sedans, compact crossovers, and midsize SUVs with three-row seating, formats that simply did not exist in the used EV market five years ago. The brands represented include startups that designed their vehicles as electric from the ground up alongside legacy automakers that converted or adapted existing platforms for electrification, and the two approaches produce meaningfully different ownership experiences.

These 10 vehicles come from U.S. News & World Report’s selection of the best used electric cars in 2026, ranked by U.S. News Rating scores that incorporate safety, comfort, features, value, and performance. The list covers model years 2020 through 2023 across multiple vehicle types. Pricing figures shown reflect source-reported averages at the time of publication and may vary by market and availability. The U.S. News Ratings used here reflect data collected at the time of publication and may change as new information becomes available.

Credit: Rivan

The 2022 Rivian $RIVN R1T earns a U.S. News Rating of 9.2 out of 10 — the highest of any vehicle on this list — and a maximum driving range of 400 miles. Horsepower ratings range from 600 to 835, depending on configuration, and all-wheel drive comes standard. The R1T was among the first fully electric pickup trucks to reach market, and Rivian’s status as a new brand without legacy truck buyers to satisfy freed it to design the vehicle without the constraint of making it feel like a modified gasoline truck.

The built-in air compressor, standard on every R1T, is a practical feature with specific off-road and outdoor utility: it inflates tires, operates air tools, and serves camping and trail use without a separate portable unit. The available slide-out kitchen console is a feature that reflects Rivian’s design freedom. A gas-powered truck from a major brand would face internal resistance to such a departure from convention. All Rivian vehicles are built in the Midwest, which the source notes as a counterpoint to the brand’s visually distinctive design that might suggest otherwise.

The R1T’s 9.2 overall score reflects a vehicle that excels across the multiple dimensions that the U.S. News Rating incorporates. For used buyers who want the highest-rated EV on this list with the longest range and the strongest performance credentials, the R1T provides all three. The 400-mile maximum range also gives used buyers a buffer against the range degradation that battery packs experience over time, a concern that matters more for a used vehicle than for a new one, and that the R1T’s high baseline addresses more generously than shorter-range alternatives. The standard air compressor also gives the R1T a practical utility advantage that the other trucks on this list do not match out of the box. The R1T’s 600-to-835-horsepower range also gives used buyers a performance baseline that gas pickup trucks at comparable price points do not approach.

Credit: Polestar

The 2021 Polestar 2 earns a U.S. News Rating of 9.0 out of 10 and carries an average used price of $23,173, with a maximum range of 233 miles. All-wheel drive comes standard. Two electric motors, a 78-kWh battery, and a single-speed transmission power the vehicle, and the source describes its handling as taut with great stability and enthusiastic off-the-line acceleration from the plentiful torque. The 11.2-inch touchscreen and wireless device charging are standard, and reviewers characterize the infotainment system as quick, responsive, and enjoyable.

Polestar is a Volvo spinoff that sells low volumes of its vehicles, a dynamic the source identifies as a potential advantage for used buyers. Low production numbers and limited brand recognition can keep used prices more accessible than the vehicle’s quality might otherwise command. The source describes the Polestar 2 as a sophisticated small car with driving dynamics that the source believes deserve more recognition than the brand’s low profile has generated.

The Polestar 2’s $23,173 average used price is the lowest among the vehicles on this list for which the source reports a price, making it one of the most financially accessible options for buyers who want a 9.0-rated EV. The AWD-standard configuration also means buyers do not need to search for a specific trim to get all-wheel capability, which simplifies the used-car shopping process. For buyers who prioritize driving dynamics and want a premium-feeling EV at a sub-$25,000 used price, the Polestar 2’s Volvo-derived engineering and limited production volume make a compelling case. The taut handling and eager acceleration the source describes also give used buyers a driving experience that exceeds what the $23,173 average price might suggest about the vehicle’s caliber. The Polestar brand’s relative obscurity in the U.S. market also means used examples may attract less competition from other buyers, which can translate to favorable negotiating conditions for buyers who approach the purchase with patience.

Credit: Tesla

The 2021 Tesla $TSLA Model 3 earns a U.S. News Rating of 9.0 out of 10, with an average used price range of $22,716 to $29,784 and a maximum range of 353 miles in the Long Range configuration. The 2021 model is specifically recommended by the source for used buyers because that year brought a styling refresh and an increase in range across the Model 3 lineup, giving it an advantage over earlier examples at similar price points. The source notes average prices can reach as low as roughly $23,000, which it describes as a bargain for a vehicle with the Model 3’s performance credentials.

The Long Range model’s 353-mile range exceeds that of most new EVs on the market, meaning used buyers of this specific configuration are not accepting a range compromise relative to newer alternatives. Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are available depending on the powertrain, giving buyers flexibility across price and performance. The source advises shopping carefully for a used Model 3, as Tesla’s historically flexible approach to model year designations has produced a wide variety of configurations and specifications on the used market.

The 2021 Model 3 exemplifies the used EV value proposition the source presents: a vehicle with impressive performance, class-leading range, and a well-known brand, available at a price that reflects the depreciation the first owner absorbed. The wide variation in used-market pricing and configurations also means that patient shoppers can find significantly better deals than the first credible option they encounter, and the source explicitly recommends shopping around rather than accepting the first deal they encounter. The 2021 model’s styling refresh also means used buyers get the updated exterior and interior along with the improved range, making it a better choice than earlier examples at comparable prices. The 2021 model year’s improvements make it the vintage to prioritize in the used market when earlier years are available at similar prices.

Credit: Chevrolet

The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt earns a U.S. News Rating of 8.6 out of 10 and a perfect J.D. Power reliability score of five out of five points on the scale used for that model year, before J.D. Power transitioned to a 100-point scale after 2021. The maximum range of 259 miles was competitive at the time of production and remains a practical figure for daily use. Chevrolet discontinued the Bolt after the 2023 model year, though the source notes it was still among the best vehicles in its segment at the time of discontinuation, with a return planned for the 2027 model year.

The Bolt’s single-powertrain configuration simplifies the used-car shopping process considerably. With only one powertrain option, buyers do not need to research which engine or battery variant best suits their needs. Every Bolt offers the same drivetrain. The source describes the ride as quick off the line, with confident, predictable handling that makes the driving experience enjoyable, if not particularly exciting.

The perfect J.D. Power reliability score is the Bolt’s most powerful credential for used buyers, who face greater uncertainty about a vehicle’s future reliability than new-car buyers do. A compact EV with a documented perfect reliability rating, a practical 259-mile range, and a simple one-powertrain lineup represents exactly the low-risk used-car proposition that reliability-conscious buyers seek. The Bolt’s discontinuation also means the supply of used examples will not grow, which could affect pricing as demand from buyers seeking the returning 2027 nameplate shifts attention to existing inventory. The Bolt’s simplicity also means used-car maintenance and troubleshooting are more straightforward than on vehicles with multiple powertrain variants, reducing the complexity that typically accompanies a used EV purchase. The single-powertrain approach also means used buyers can focus their inspection on the battery and motor health without researching which of several configurations performs best long-term, a research burden that multi-variant used EVs typically impose on buyers.

Credit: Rivan

The 2022 Rivian $RIVN R1S earns a U.S. News Rating of 9.1 out of 10, with average used prices between $52,844 and $60,974 and a maximum range of 316 miles. Four electric motors — one at each wheel — produce a combined 835 horsepower, with all-wheel drive standard. The R1S is the SUV variant of the Rivian platform that also produces the R1T pickup, and the source notes that buyers who lack a strong preference between truck and SUV body styles can effectively double their used-market options by considering both.

Three rows of comfortable seating fit within the R1S’s distinctive exterior, which the source describes as distinctive and bold. The cabin uses open-pore wood trim for a design-forward material, alongside practical choices such as synthetic-leather upholstery that cleans easily and rubber flooring. The interior balance of visual quality and real-world durability reflects the same design-first approach that gives the R1T its built-in air compressor and kitchen console.

The R1S’s used price range of $52,844 to $60,974 makes it the most expensive vehicle on this list. The 9.1 overall score, 835 combined horsepower, three-row seating, and 316-mile range give it a capability profile that no other three-row SUV on the used EV market currently matches on both performance and quality scores. Buyers who need the third row alongside the all-electric powertrain will find the R1S the only option on this list that delivers both. The 835-horsepower rating from the four-motor configuration gives it a performance floor that most luxury SUVs — gasoline or electric — cannot approach. The open-pore wood trim and the three-row layout also give the R1S interior credentials that justify its position at the top of this list's used price range. The R1S’s used price range of $52,844 to $60,974 reflects the vehicle’s original premium positioning, and the 9.1 overall score confirms the quality that premium represents.

Credit: Tesla

The 2020 Tesla $TSLA Model S earns a U.S. News Rating of 8.9 out of 10, with average used prices of $31,660 to $38,212 and a maximum range of 402 miles, the longest range of any vehicle on this list. The source recommends the 2020 model specifically because it avoids the price premium associated with the 2021 model’s styling refresh while offering improved range over the 2019 model, making it the optimal vintage for buyers seeking value within the Model S used market. Tesla announced in 2026 that it would discontinue the Model S, which the source notes adds urgency for buyers interested in the nameplate.

The Model S is the larger and more upscale of Tesla’s two sedans, with a 17-inch touchscreen, wireless device charging, and heated front and rear seats as standard features. Despite its size, it handles and accelerates with the responsiveness of a smaller vehicle. Two potent powertrains are available. The source acknowledges the Model S is not the most compelling value among EVs at its price point, but identifies its exceptional range and performance as the features that justify the premium for buyers who want both.

The 402-mile range gives the 2020 Model S a specific used-market advantage that no newer vehicle on this list surpasses. Even accounting for the battery degradation that a six-year-old EV will have experienced, the Model S’s range baseline gives used buyers a margin that vehicles rated at 300 miles or below do not provide. For buyers who prioritize long-distance capability and want the sedan format, the 2020 Model S is the only vehicle on this list that delivers over 400 miles from a single charge. The Model S’s discontinuation also means that used buyers who want the nameplate face a finite and shrinking supply, which could affect future resale values if demand for the model grows after the discontinuation becomes widely known.

Credit: Ford

The 2022 Ford $F Mustang Mach-E earns a U.S. News Rating of 8.8 out of 10, with average used prices of $24,933 to $32,112 and a maximum range of 314 miles on rear-wheel-drive versions. The 2022 model is the specific vintage the source recommends because Ford introduced the BlueCruise semi-automated highway driving system that year, giving it a capability the 2021 model lacks. All-wheel-drive versions have a maximum range of 224 miles, and rear-drive versions reach 314 miles.

The Mach-E combines electric powertrains with styling described by the source as sporty yet family-friendly. Despite carrying the Mustang name, the source frames it as a vehicle inspired by the iconic sports coupe, without claiming direct lineage. Comfort and practicality define the daily-use experience. The 2022 model is available with rear- or all-wheel drive across its trim lineup.

BlueCruise is a hands-free driving feature for pre-qualified divided highways that requires driver monitoring but allows full hands-off operation on compatible roads. Its addition to the 2022 Mach-E gives used buyers a technology feature that represents a meaningful upgrade over the 2021 model, and that some competing EVs in the price range do not include. The Mach-E’s average used price range of $24,933 to $32,112, combined with its 8.8 overall score and the BlueCruise capability, makes it the strongest value case on this list for buyers who want a versatile electric crossover with semi-automated highway driving technology. BlueCruise’s qualification for specific divided highways also means buyers who commute on compatible roads get a meaningful automation benefit in their daily use case beyond the occasional trip. Ford’s dealership and service infrastructure also gives Mach-E buyers access to support that startup EV brands cannot match, reducing the maintenance uncertainty that some buyers associate with less-established electric vehicle brands. The Mach-E also comes with Ford’s full service and parts network, which matters for long-term ownership confidence.

Credit: Ford

The 2022 Ford $F F-150 Lightning earns a U.S. News Rating of 8.7 out of 10 and a maximum range of 320 miles in its most efficient configuration. Four-wheel drive comes standard. The source identifies the Lightning as having reached the market ahead of most competitors in the full-size electric pickup segment, meaning 2022 examples have been in service long enough to build a meaningful ownership record. The source offers an honest assessment: the Lightning sacrifices some capability compared to the gasoline F-150, but for buyers who do not regularly operate a full-size truck at its maximum limits, the Lightning can satisfy most needs more efficiently.

Two powertrain and battery pack options were available for the 2022 model year. Buyers who prioritize range over performance can achieve up to 320 miles per charge. Buyers who prioritize performance can specify up to 580 horsepower, though at the cost of range. Four-wheel drive is standard across the lineup.

The Lightning’s 8.7 overall score reflects a vehicle that successfully translated the F-150’s market identity into an electric format, maintaining enough of the familiar truck experience to satisfy buyers who did not want to sacrifice capability for electrification. The 320-mile range at peak efficiency and the option for 580 horsepower give buyers a meaningful performance ceiling, and the F-150 name brings with it a parts and service infrastructure that newer electric truck brands cannot match. For used buyers who want a known quantity in a full-size electric truck, the Lightning’s brand familiarity and first-generation electric credentials together give it a distinct position on this list. The F-150 name also brings a dealership and parts network that startup EV brands cannot match, which reduces the maintenance and support uncertainty that some used EV buyers weigh against established brands. The Lightning’s position as Ford’s first electric version of its bestselling vehicle also means the model received the engineering investment that comes with protecting a flagship product.

Credit: Volvo

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge earns a U.S. News Rating of 8.7 out of 10, with a maximum range of 223 miles, the shortest of any vehicle on this list. Two electric motors provide standard all-wheel drive, and the 402-horsepower output matches the Tesla $TSLA Model S for the highest power figure on this list. Every 2022 XC40 Recharge comes with the same powertrain, which the source specifically identifies as a shopping advantage: buyers do not need to sort through configurations or specifications to ensure they are getting the variant they want.

The XC40 Recharge was the smallest electric SUV in Volvo’s lineup in 2022, and was rebranded as the EX40 for 2025. The source describes it as a vehicle that pursues charm over the sophistication found elsewhere in Volvo’s range. Recycled cabin materials give it a texture and feel that the source acknowledges is slightly coarser than the brand’s typical quality standard, which the source presents as a trade-off for an eco-conscious material choice. The exterior is clean and modern but notably restrained compared to many EVs of the same period.

The XC40 Recharge’s 223-mile range is the one significant limitation the source identifies. For buyers whose typical driving stays within that range per charge, the trade-off against the 402-horsepower performance and the all-wheel-drive standard configuration may be acceptable. A standard complement of safety equipment adds to the value case. Buyers who want an all-electric Volvo with AWD always included and simplified powertrain shopping will find the 2022 XC40 Recharge the most straightforward purchase on this list, at the cost of the shortest range in the group. The 402-horsepower output also gives the XC40 Recharge a performance ceiling that buyers who encounter it in traffic will find more than adequate for daily driving, even if the range requires more planning than longer-range competitors on the list. Volvo’s broader brand reputation for safety also gives XC40 Recharge buyers confidence in the vehicle's structural and safety features beyond the EV-specific technology.

Credit: Kia

The 2022 Kia EV6 earns a U.S. News Rating of 8.6 out of 10, with average used prices of $24,173 to $30,289 and a maximum range of 310 miles. The 2022 model year was the EV6’s debut, and the source identifies it as the first Kia vehicle designed with electrification as the primary intent, distinguishing it from earlier Kia EVs that adapted existing platforms. The EV6 is available with rear- or all-wheel drive, with configurations offering up to 320 horsepower or up to 310 miles of range.

The source describes the EV6 as having a premium look and feel that competes with luxury EVs at a substantially lower price point, a characteristic the source frames as one of its defining features in the used market. The sporty hatchback profile carries the styling language of a Kia design generation that the source describes as aging well. The 2022 EV6 was a pivotal vehicle for Kia’s broader electrification strategy, establishing the brand’s credentials in the purpose-built EV segment.

The EV6’s average used price range of $24,173 to $30,289 gives buyers access to the premium-appearance EV experience at a price comparable to the Model 3 and Mustang Mach-E on this list, but with Kia’s expanding EV ecosystem as the context for parts and software support going forward. For buyers who want a stylish, purpose-built electric crossover with a sporty profile and a used price under $31,000, the EV6 provides the strongest visual and quality argument relative to price of any vehicle in the lower half of this list. The EV6’s status as the first purpose-built Kia electric vehicle also means Kia designed its technology for the platform from the outset, giving it a design coherence that converted-platform EVs often lack. The EV6’s aging-gracefully styling, as the source describes it, also means used buyers are not acquiring a vehicle that already looks dated, which matters for buyers who plan a long ownership period.