What are the 5 best electric cars to buy in 2022? This is an important question for all fans of this type of car. Indeed, on the market for electric vehicles, finding the one that offers the best compromise between the price and the theoretical range is not necessarily obvious. Our article selected the 5 best electric cars to buy in 2022: MG ZS EV, TESLA Model Y Propulsion, KIA EV 6, Hyundai KONA electric, and Cupra Born. We’ll see why later.
The sinews of war for electric cars often come down to two points: price and range. Indeed, secondary criteria such as design, fast charging capacity or space on board appear less important to most potential buyers.
We have therefore selected the vehicles that offer the best price/range ratio on the market today to help you define the perfect electric car for you. Thanks to home charging, let’s look at the references that will allow you to travel the most kilometers at the lowest cost.
Note that we’re talking about the WLTP range, which is mixed. If you often use the highway, you won’t need to rely on this range, as we saw in our feature on the fastest cars for long distances.
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MG ZS EV (2021): AN EXCELLENT PRICE/PERFORMANCE RATIO
The first car chosen to be one of The 5 best electric cars to buy in 2022 is MG ZS EV. This vehicle made a strong impression on us in its restyled 2021 version, as shown in our test. We must admit that it offers high performance for a price that defies all competition. Indeed, the version equipped with the 73 kWh battery boasts a WLTP range of 440 kilometers for a fee starting at $36,990.
This price allows it to take advantage of the maximum ecological bonus, bringing the price for the final customer to 30,990 euros. This is undoubtedly the best value for money in the electric SUV market, which is no easy feat given the existing competition. The space on board is generous, with a large trunk considering the vehicle’s size, and the interior’s quality is more than correct.
The only downside is that the driving aids are relatively ineffective. Lane keeping is not convincing, and if that’s a key criterion for you, you might as well pass. Other than that, the MG ZS EV is an excellent electric car for the price, which will undoubtedly delight those who take possession of it.
- Price : from $36,990
- AWLTP range: 440 kilometers
- Battery capacity: 73 kWh
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TESLA MODEL Y PROPULSION (2022): THE CHEAPEST TESLA ON THE MARKET
The shine of the Tesla Model Y Propulsion is turning the electric SUV market upside down, given that the starting price is now $49,990. The current environmental bonus reduces the cost to 47,990 euros, which is still high considering the WLTP range of up to 455 kilometers. The Model Y is still more attractive than the Model 3.
However, as is usual with Elon Musk’s vehicles, long journeys will be a formality with the Tesla Model Y Propulsion. The brand’s network of Superchargers will be there to make crossing Europe hassle-free, and if that’s not enough, third-party networks are also easily accessible.
The huge 854-liter trunk space in the back makes it a great vehicle for families who want to carry a lot of stuff, and Autopilot remains the benchmark for driver assistance. An autonomous driving option is also available, but it’s best not to spend your money on it as it’s limited on the old continent.
Finally, the efficiency of Tesla’s powertrain is remarkable since, with a battery of only 60 kWh, the manufacturer announces a range of more than 455 kilometers, which others can only achieve with a significantly larger battery.
- Price : from $49,990
- AWLTP range: 430- 455 kilometers
- Battery capacity: 60 kWh
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KIA EV6: THE CHAMPION OF FAST CHARGING
Kia hit hard by introducing its EV6 based on an 800-volt battery, making it one of the champions of fast charging. Initially available only with a large capacity battery and therefore more expensive, it is now offered in an entry-level version at $47,990 with a 58 kWh battery.
By quickly negotiating with the dealer, it is possible to drop the price below $47,000 to benefit from the bonus and thus have a final price of less than $41,000.
The range in the WLTP cycle is 394 kilometers, but it should be kept in mind that the Kia EV6 charges quickly, very quickly. Kia EV6 takes only 18 minutes from 10 to 80 percent battery, allowing long trips without requiring long breaks to recharge.
Moreover, the innovative exterior design, which looks like it came straight out of a concept car, does not leave anyone indifferent: the Kia EV6 stands out from the rest of the automotive landscape. During our test drive of the Kia EV6, we particularly appreciated its roominess in addition to its fast charging capabilities, but the standard equipment left us wanting more.
- Price : from $47,990
- AWLTP range: 394 kilometers
- Battery capacity: 58 kWh
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HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC
The second to last car in our top 5 best electric cars to buy in 2022 is the Hyundai Kona. The car has been a recognized reference for several years, which continues to convince to this day. Indeed, by regularly updating some design elements, the Korean manufacturer manages to keep a privileged place on the market.
What’s more, discounts on the list price are commonplace, making it possible to get a Hyundai Kona 64 kWh for $33,950. To do this, all the dealer has to do is participate in the offer highlighted on the online configurator, lowering the price from 41,700 to 39,950. The ecological bonus of 6,000 is deducted so that the final customer gets his vehicle for less than 34,000 dollars.
The road behavior of the small Hyundai SUV is convincing, and its excellent range (484 kilometers WLTP) will make it an asset in daily life and long-distance travel. The negative point is, however, located in the trunk, which remains relatively small for a family to be comfortable on a trip.
The Renault Zoe can also be seen as an alternative, with its 395 km range and base price of $33,700 excluding bonuses, which comes to $27,700 after rewards.
- Price : from $41,700
- AWLTP range: 484 kilometers
- Battery capacity: 64 kWh
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CUPRA BORN
The last car selected as one of the top 5 electric cars to buy in 2022 is Cupra Born. The Cupra Born has kicked the bucket with its new version of the Cupra, Born with a 77 kWh XL battery. Indeed, for a list price of $46,500, 550 kilometers of WLTP range are announced, a record for a vehicle of this price.
The ecological bonus of 6,000 dollars reduces the price to be paid by the final customer to 40,500 dollars, representing an exceptional price/range ratio to date. In addition, the vehicle will stand out thanks to its rather successful and innovative exterior design while maintaining a silhouette close to its technical cousin, the Volkswagen ID.3.
The performance is quite good for such a vehicle since 0 to 100 km/h is achieved in 7 seconds. In terms of fast charging, the manufacturer announced 35 minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent battery, with a maximum power of 170 kW.
All this allows the Cupra Born VZ to stand out from the rest of the market, being the only electric car eligible for the maximum ecological bonus offering a range of over 500 km. We tested the Cupra Born with the smallest battery of 58 kWh, and its road behavior convinced us. Beware, however, of the menus’ ergonomics and the central screen’s quality, which still leaves something to be desired.
- Price : from $46,500
- AWLTP range: 550kilometers
- Battery capacity: 77 kWh
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SUMMARY TABLE
Here is the list of the five electric cars with the best quality/price ratio in terms of autonomy.
| Cars | WLTP Autonomy | Price |
|---|---|---|
| MG ZS EV | 440 km | 30 990 dollars |
| Tesla Model Y | 455 km | 47 990 dollars |
| Kia EV6 | 394 km | 41 000 dollars |
| Hyundai Kona Electric | 484 km | 33 950 dollars |
| Cupra Born VZ XL | 550 km | 40 500 dollars |
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CONCLUSION
The electric-powered automobile marketplace continuously evolves, and producers constantly adapt to consumer demands. It is important to keep in mind the range of an electric car, and those that allow you to go as far as possible at a reasonable price will convince many buyers in search of a trendy vehicle.