When you think of green electrified cars, you might think that they’re out of your price range. Since electric car tech is still fairly new technology, electrified cars are still generally more expensive than their conventional, gas-burning counterparts, but there are a lot of plug-in hybrids and EVs that are more affordable than you might think.
Here are the 10 most affordable new plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles you can buy in 2019. All prices below include the manufacturers’ destination charges and don’t include any green car tax incentives since they vary so much based on state and local incentives. Depending on where you live, these cars could be even more affordable than the prices you see here.
smart EQ fortwo — $24,650
It was recently announced that smart is exiting the U.S. market so if you want a new smart, you need to act fast. Smart also recently became an all-electric brand in the States and its most affordable offering is the fortwo electric hatchback, which is by far the most affordable EV on the market, but it’s also the smallest. Its electric range is only 57 miles meaning it can’t go very far outside the city, but it’s a great urban commuter if you don’t take a lot of long trips. Find a smart EQ for two for sale
Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid — $26,270
The Hyundai Ioniq may be in the shadow of more well-established hybrids, but its very affordable pricing makes it worth consideration. This hatchback is the most affordable PHEV on the market and it has a pretty good all-electric range of 29 miles and returns up to 52 miles per gallon in hybrid mode. Other perks of the Ioniq include generous cargo space and many user-friendly features. Find a Hyundai Ioniq for sale
Toyota Prius Prime — $28,280
The Toyota Prius Prime is the plug-in hybrid variant of the Prius and shares many virtues associated with the Prius like excellent efficiency, good reliability and safety ratings, and above-average cargo space for a compact. The all-electric range of the Prius Prime is 25 miles and it has an impressive total range of 640 miles with a full tank of gas. Find a Toyota Prius Prime for sale
Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid — $29,495
You may be familiar with the standard Kia Niro hybrid, but did you know there’s a plug-in hybrid variant? The PHEV version of this subcompact crossover can go up to 26 miles on electricity alone and returns great fuel economy when the electric battery dies. It also offers a roomy, upscale cabin and plenty of cargo room. Find a Kia Niro for sale
Nissan Leaf — $30,885
The Nissan Leaf has the distinction of being one of the first mass-market electric vehicles and now it’s better than ever in its second generation. At the base level, the Leaf gets an electric range of 151 miles, which is long enough for most round-trip commutes, but still might not be long enough to make a Leaf your primary car depending on how much driving you do. If you have some more room in your budget, the Leaf Plus gets a range of up to 226 miles making it quite a bit more usable. Find a Nissan Leaf for sale
Hyundai Ioniq Electric — $31,235
On top of the conventional hybrid and the plug-in hybrid, there’s also an all-electric version of the Hyundai Ioniq. The range of the Ioniq falls a little short of the Leaf at 124 miles, which is still long enough for the vast majority of commuters. The Ioniq Electric shares many of the same perks as the other Ioniq models like impressive cargo space and an excellent UVO infotainment system. Find a Hyundai Ioniq Electric for sale
Volkswagen e-Golf — $32,790
The Volkswagen e-Golf is exactly what it sounds like: an electric version of the Golf compact hatchback. Its electric range is 125 miles, which is almost identical to the Ioniq Electric. The e-Golf comes with the fun driving character associated with the Golf with lively electric acceleration and agile handling. It also has an interior that’s more premium than you might expect at this price point. Find a Volkswagen e-Golf for sale
Fiat 500e — $34,290
The Fiat 500e has a quirky character that few cars can match. Not only is it electric with a range of 84 miles, but it has tons of Italian style and charm. The regular Fiat 500 is already a great city car and we think electrifying it makes it an even better one. Like the smart EQ fortwo, it has a range that’s good enough for the city, but not much else. Find a Fiat 500e for sale
Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid – $34,320
The Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid has the best electric range of any PHEV on this list at a very impressive 47 miles. Not only does it have a great electric range, but it’s also pretty powerful for an electrified compact with more than 200 hp. The Clarity’s nice, gentle ride and upscale cabin make this Honda very competitive with the likes of the slightly more expensive and slightly longer-range Chevrolet Volt. Find a Honda Clarity for sale
Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid — $34,320
Being a midsize sedan, the Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid might be the most family-friendly green car on this list. With an affordable base price that happens to be identical to that of the Clarity PHEV, the plug-in Sonata offers a strong value for anyone looking for a good midsize sedan with the benefits of a plug-in hybrid. Its electric range is 27 miles putting it on par with many other PHEV models on the market and it’s a good way to fly under the radar without burning gas. Find a Hyundai Sonata for sale
