The Best Small Electric Cars to Buy in 2023

We’ve chosen these cars for their modern luxury, practicality and ease of use. Note that base
prices don’t include tax incentives or fuel savings, which may significantly reduce your price.
The Kia EV6 is based on its sister car, the Hyundai Ioniq, but stands out with a futuristic look and
road trip-ready range. It also delivers a fun driving experience and excellent tech.
1. Mercedes-Benz EQA
After the success of its EQC SUV, Mercedes has moved on with this small electric model. It may
look like a regular hatchback from the outside but it's actually a proper EV with all the usual perks
including free entry into emissions-controlled areas and low running costs.

With its regenerative brakes and efficient motor, it does best when driving around town. You'll get
around 264 miles out of it between charges and you can use the Mercedes's rapid charging
network to refuel it in just 40 minutes.
The EQA's big selling point is its luxury feel. Its cabin is quiet and comfortable while its digital
screens make for a premium dash. It's also got a few quirky touches, such as its monolithic
display that serves as the instrument cluster and infotainment system and novel crystal sphere
shifter.
However, it doesn't have the same level of performance as some of the other models on this list.
It'll do 0-62mph in around eight seconds dead which is slower than the Kia Niro EV, Renault Zoe
and even the SEAT Mii Electric. It's also quite expensive if you spec it well, but this does mean
you get lots of on-board technology to help ease the pain of those high running costs. If you want
a Mercedes with the three-pointed star on your car, then this is the one to go for. Its small size
makes it easy to park and manoeuvre too. And its decent real-world range means you won't have
to worry about avoiding the London Congestion Charge or other refuel stops. It will still struggle
on longer motorway drives, though. So you might find yourself having to pull over from time to
time for a stretch.
2. Kia EV6
The Kia EV6's design is sleek and sophisticated, though it looks a bit like an SUV. The EV6 is
small enough to qualify for a zero-emissions permit, and its electric drivetrain offers impressive
efficiency. It also packs in a bunch of safety features, earning it the Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick+ rating.
Kia's EV6 is available in three trim levels: Wind RWD, GT-Line AWD and the new-for-2023 GT
with twin electric motors and all-wheel drive. The latter is a true performance model that delivers
the kind of spirited driving experience we've come to expect from enthusiast-aimed EVs. It
accelerates to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and can tow up to 2,300 pounds. It's also a blast to
drive on country roads, thanks to its responsive acceleration and well-weighted steering.
All EV6 models are a pleasure to drive, with a comfortable ride, refined electric cabin and
sprightly handling. A slew of driver aids are available, including automatic emergency braking
with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control that can even
steer itself when the car's in autonomous mode and an auxiliary power outlet that allows the EV6
to charge up gadgets while you're out on the road.
A standard feature that's not often mentioned is the ability to use the EV6 as a portable charging
station when you park. Its center console holds a pad that can recharge a smartphone or other
device, and it can also transfer energy to the battery when you're done using it. It's a simple but
handy addition that makes the EV6 one of our favorite small electric cars to drive.
3. Hyundai IONIQ

Hyundai’s entry-level all-electric sedan is a great choice for buyers who want to get into EV
ownership at an affordable price. The Ioniq is available in a wide range of configurations that can
accommodate most lifestyles and budgets. It offers good performance, a large amount of rear
seat space, and an impressive driving range. It also comes with a suite of innovative features,
including advanced voice-recognition software and wireless device charging.
Built on the company’s Electric Global Modular Platform, which is also used by other electrified
models, the Ioniq is a small electric vehicle that packs in plenty of room for five people. Its
spacious cabin makes for a comfortable ride, and the Ioniq has more passenger space than both
the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The car’s trunk is large, too, with 14.1 cubic
feet of cargo space.
The Ioniq is available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, and it can be equipped with either
a 53 kWh standard-range battery or a 78 kWh long-range unit. The latter allows the Ioniq to
travel up to 507 miles on a single charge. The Ioniq is quick, too – a standard-range rear-drive
model can reach 60 mph in 9.5 seconds, while the all-wheel-drive version accelerates even
faster with its dual motor setup.
The Ioniq is a worthy competitor for hybrid-electric vehicles like the Toyota Prius. It has a sleek,
futuristic design and plenty of standard safety features. It also offers a large cargo area and an
excellent fuel economy. The Ioniq is slightly more expensive than the Prius, but it offers a larger
warranty and better safety ratings. It also comes with a few additional features, including an
advanced infotainment system and augmented reality navigation.
4. Nissan ID. 4
If you want an EV SUV that offers lots of room for passengers and cargo, while also saving you
big at the pump and helping the environment, you should take a look at the 2023 Nissan Ariya.
This EV SUV is now available at Cole Nissan of Pocatello. It features two 12.3" digital DIsplays,
wireless Apple CarPlay and an Intelligent Rear View Mirror that can switch between a standard
rearview mirror and an LCD monitor, displaying the camera's image to give you the best view
possible of your surroundings.
In terms of safety, the Ariya comes well-equipped with forward collision mitigation and blind-spot
monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. You'll find even more confidence-boosting driver
assistance technologies in the higher trim levels, including highway driving assist and automated
high beams.
The Ariya's spacious interior can seat four people, but the foldable rear seats make it easy to
expand the cargo area when you need to haul more gear. You'll also find lots of smart tech
features, like a seven-inch infotainment system that lets you connect your smartphone to control
music and GPS.
Unfortunately, the Ariya does not offer a front trunk due to mechanical components taking up
space. Additionally, you'll have to pay more for some of the advanced driving aids that you can
get in the Volkswagen ID. 4, which is not currently accepting reservations for future sales. If
you're interested in learning more about the new Nissan Ariya, stop by our dealership today. We

can help you find the model that's right for your family. We're also happy to answer any other
questions you may have about the latest EV innovations.
5. BMW i4
Designed to rival small luxury electric cars like the Polestar 2, Kia EV6 and Tesla Model 3,
BMW's i4 is a five-passenger, hatchback EV that mimics the silhouette of its traditional 3 Series
sport sedan. It features a dramatic roofline that lends it an appealing coupe-like profile and a rear
cargo bay that's capable of swallowing carry-on luggage, grocery bags and bulkier items such as
golf clubs or moving boxes.
A single-motor eDrive35 model uses a 66-kWh battery pack to deliver a claimed 260-mile range.
The more expensive M50 trim uses two electric motors to power the front and rear wheels,
producing a combined 469 horsepower. With its all-wheel drive and instant torque, the M50
screams from a stoplight to highway speeds with ease. It can accelerate to 60 mph in 3.7
seconds and keep pulling well past legal speed limits.
Both versions benefit from responsive acceleration, nimble handling and good brake feel. BMW
claims to have recalibrated its stability control for the unique character of electric powertrains,
which helps to deliver crisp throttle response and rocket-like passing power.
The i4's interior is trimmed with high-quality materials and plenty of standard comfort and
convenience features. A large 12.3-inch gauge cluster display and a 14.9-inch infotainment
screen occupy most of the dashboard. An auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing windshield
wipers, a powered liftgate and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are all included.
The i4 also gets a suite of active safety features, including automatic emergency braking, blind-
spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition and
automatically-dipping headlights. Opting for the Driver Assistance Professional package adds a
360-degree camera system, parking sensors and adaptive cruise control to the mix.