The 6 Cheapest Electric SUVs You Can Buy in 2022

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Written by Nick Versaw

Updated June 17th, 2022

With zero emissions and only needing gas stations for snacks and bathroom breaks, electric vehicles are quickly becoming a popular choice for many families. As gasoline prices continue to rise, many automakers have entered the electric SUV marketplace to satiate demand for family-friendly crossovers.

But many EV buyers are also on a budget, so getting the best bang for their buck is high on their list of requirements. Fortunately, there are plenty of electric crossovers with low starting prices. 

Let’s look at the six cheapest electric SUVs of 2022 to help kickstart your search for the best electric car for your family. Ready to start shopping? Enter your ZIP code to see options near you:

Cheapest Electric SUVs of 2022

Are you looking to save cash when buying an electric SUV? Here are the six most affordable EV crossovers of 2022 and their key specs:

2022 Mazda MX-30 EV

After years of proving fuel efficiency doesn’t have to be boring, Mazda has finally entered the all-electric car market with its MX-30 EV crossover. With a starting price of just $33,470 before incentives and federal tax credits, Mazda is kicking things off in a very affordable fashion.

Like all models from this automaker, the MX-30 has impressive handling that makes this an engaging electric vehicle for all types of buyers. It also features a bold yet classy design that’s easy on the eyes and sure to age well. It boasts a long list of standard features, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, adaptive cruise control, adaptive LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch aluminum wheels, automatic climate control, an 8.8-inch infotainment screen, and more.

As the cheapest zero-emissions SUV, the MX-30 has some tradeoffs. The tiny 35.5-kWh battery pack only provides 100 miles of range on a full charge. On top of this, the MX-30’s electric powertrain isn’t efficient compared to other vehicles, delivering only 92 MPGe combined EPA fuel economy equivalent. This entry-level electric SUV also has limited availability, as it’s only in California. Finally, with just 30.1 inches of rear legroom, the MX-30’s rear-seat passengers will be cramped.

MSRP: $33,470

Passengers: 5

Driving Range: 100 miles

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric

Hyundai, long known for offering incredible value, doesn’t disappoint with their entry into the electric SUV market. The sporty, well-equipped Kona Electric starts at only $34,000 before incentives.

For this relatively low MSRP, the Kona EV has a 258-mile driving range on a full charge, in line with most of its competitors. It features a slick design that’s sure to please buyers who seek a unique look. The Kona also has many high-end standard features, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and auto climate control. Standard safety options include blind-spot monitoring with collision mitigation, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, rear-occupant alert, and more.

The Kona Electric is a solid option in the affordable electric SUV space, but it’s far from perfect. First, there is no available all-wheel drive (AWD). Second, its rear legroom is tight at just 33.4 inches. Third, with 45.8 cubic feet of max cargo space, the Kona Electric falls well behind the competition in terms of storage. Lastly, the maximum charging speed the Kona Electric can accept is 100-kW, while most competitors can accept at least 150-kW DC fast chargers.

MSRP: $34,000

Passengers: 5

Driving Range: 258 miles

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV

Several years ago, the Chevrolet Bolt EV became the first affordable electric car with over a 200-mile driving range. So it’s appropriate that the Bolt’s crossover counterpart is near the top of the list of cheapest electric SUVs.

Starting at $34,495 before incentives, the Chevy Bolt EUV offers a reasonable base price while delivering 247 miles of driving range on a full battery. It enjoys zippy performance — 0-60 mph in around 7 seconds — and a long list of desirable standard features like a wireless smartphone charger, a six-speaker audio system, a configurable 8-inch driver information center, leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, and much more.

With this inexpensive option, the downsides are surprisingly few. First, the Bolt’s base design is a little ho-hum, and the EUV variant, while more exciting, is still not overly eye-catching. It lacks optional AWD, making it hard to classify it as an SUV. Also, the cargo room is snug at just 16.3 cubic feet with the rear seats upright and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

MSRP: $34,495

Passengers: 5

Driving Range: 247 miles

2022 Kia Niro EV

Kia gets in on the electric SUV fun with its own affordable model, the Niro EV, which starts from $39,990 before incentives.

The Niro EV offers a respectable 239-mile all-electric driving range for this relatively low cost, making it suitable for most commuters. It also boasts an impressive 291 lb-ft of torque, giving it quick off-the-line acceleration and an engaging drive. The Niro EV is very competitive with its standard features, including a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, a premium eight-speaker audio system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charger, auto climate control, and a 10-way power driver’s seat. Driver-assist technology offers automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with curve detection.

The Niro EV is a great option but struggles in some areas. The scant cargo space is only 53 cubic feet with the seats folded. It’s limited to 100-kW maximum charging, while many newer EVs can handle 150-kW DC fast charging. Finally, at nearly $40,000, it’s one of the pricier models on our list.

MSRP: $39,990

Passengers: 5

Driving Range: 239 miles

2022 Kia EV6

The Kia EV6 skews more toward the hatchback side of the crossover segment, but it’s an electric crossover nonetheless. This new EV for 2022 starts at just $40,900 before incentives — a bargain compared to most electric vehicles.

The Kia EV6 boasts a striking and sporty design that is very attractive. There is a powertrain option for every EV buyer, starting with the timid 167-hp base electric motor and topping out with a 320-hp AWD setup that sprints like a sports car to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds. The RWD EV6 with the optional 77.4-kWh battery can travel up to 310 miles between charges, rivaling the likes of the Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model X. The EV6 is quite spacious, with 38 inches of rear legroom and 24.4 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seats upright. Finally, the EV6 can accept up to 350-kW DC fast charging, allowing it to reach 80% charge in just 18 minutes.

The EV6 isn’t all roses, though. First, with the rear seat folded, it offers just 50.2 cubic feet of cargo room. Its sleek roofline impedes rear headroom, making the rear seats a tight fit for taller passengers.

MSRP: $40,900

Passengers: 5

Driving Range: 310 miles

2022 Volkswagen ID.4

Volkswagen jumped into the EV market with the eGolf and then ventured into the electric SUV market with the ID.4 in 2021. At $41,230 before incentives, the VW ID.4 has a lot to offer without a huge price tag.

First, the ID.4 has a standard long-range battery pack that yields up to a 275-mile driving range on a full charge with rear-wheel drive (RWD). It can reach 70 miles of range in just 10 minutes on a DC fast charger. With the optional dual-electric-motor AWD, the ID.4 delivers an impressive 295-hp engaging drive. The ID.4 is also spacious, with 30.3 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Finally, its long list of standard features is impressive, with 19-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone auto climate control, heated front seats, digital instrument cluster, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high-beam headlights, wireless smartphone charger, and more.

The ID.4 is great, but it’s not a flawless electric SUV. First, its toned-down styling is a little dull. Second, its interior is filled with touch-sensitive buttons instead of physical buttons, which can frustrate some users.

MSRP: $41,230

Passengers: 5

Driving Range: 275 miles

Find the Cheapest Electric SUV with Compare.com

With the electric SUV segment steadily growing and more options on the way, pricing will continue to become more attractive. As technology improves, we’re bound to see more models with greater range and performance for even less money.

If you’re seeking the cheapest electric SUV today, these six models are great options. Try Compare.com’s electric car search tool to find local inventory and compare pricing to get a fair deal on your new car.

Nick Versaw Managing Editor

Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in creating educational content about insurance and other related topics. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.