High-quality but affordable: electric cars that will appeal to every driver

A few years ago, the term "cheap electric car" often seemed contradictory. The prices were too high, the range was too poor, and, frankly, these cars just weren't worth the money they were asking for.

Now, however, electric cars are becoming more affordable and of higher quality. Experts have compiled a rating of relatively inexpensive but reliable and affordable electric cars.

Cupra Born

Although the Cupra is a Volkswagen ID 3 Sport, the Cupra Born version offers an attractive combination of practicality and efficiency. It is also nimble and intuitive, with easy throttle control. But what makes the Born special is that it doesn't sacrifice ride comfort, noise insulation, or energy efficiency for the sake of being sporty. It will soon be updated with a more powerful and efficient engine and a new multimedia system. The latter is one of the few weaknesses of the Cupra Born, so it may be worth waiting for the updated model.

Hyundai Kona Electric

Hyundai's smallest electric car took second place in this ranking. Despite the fact that this is the smallest electric car from the Korean manufacturer, it still has significantly increased in size compared to its predecessor, providing sufficient space for passengers and luggage. The car rides softly and has comfortable seats, and its dashboard with silver buttons resembles a DVD player from the early 2000s. Thanks to its relatively large battery and good efficiency, its official range is also 482 km.

MG 4 EV

Since the relaunch of MG, which is owned by Chinese giant SAIC, the MG 4 EV has become a worthy competitor in the segment. Rear-wheel drive provides a great driving experience, and its soft but controlled ride means it is well suited to uneven roads. The car has a very competitive range and charging performance. Even entry-level models offer approximately 350 km of range in mixed driving, while extended-range models are capable of reaching approximately 520 km.

Citroën ë-C3

The Citroën ë-C3 is a relatively inexpensive model with an official range of 200 km. This is a compact car with a sufficient amount of charm and chic in its interior. Testers from the UK have not yet made a full conclusion about Citroën's new budget electric vehicle, but the impressions from the international launch were very positive indeed.

Vauxhall Corsa Electric

The update brings a larger battery, more power, and a longer range to the electric version of Vauxhall's long-running supermini. But it's not the version that experts here recommend, as it's tied to expensive trims. Instead, Vauxhall has very attractive deals on the entry-level Corsa Electric with a smaller battery. A total of 335 km on a charge is still quite an impressive figure for an affordable supermini.

Kia Niro EV

Mechanically, the Kia Niro EV is very close to the Kona. The user interface is a bit more complicated than Hyundai's and Kia's finance deals tend to be a bit more expensive, but Kia's electric vehicles are still a great choice. Compared to some of the other options here, the Kia is a bit simple and the price is relatively higher.

Mini Cooper E

Like all Mini hatchbacks, the Cooper E is still relatively diminutive in size. While the original Mini Electric was based on the gasoline version but with a small battery, this new model was designed as an EV and has nothing to do with the gasoline version. This allows the use of a larger battery: 36.6 kWh in the Cooper E and 49.2 kWh in the Cooper SE. The latter is designed for a very decent 400 km.

Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric

The Renault Megane is another stylish electric hatchback that stands out from the crowd, but it's a size larger than the Mini. However, it is still a bit smaller and less practical than the Cupra Born or Hyundai Kona. But when it comes to interior quality and style, it looks a cut above some of the other options. Its Google-based multimedia system is also a major plus. Renault also sticks with physical controls for climate functions. Price and range revisions since launch have also made the Mégane one of the most affordable family hatchbacks.

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