Concrete Recommendations

No hedging. Specific picks for specific types of drivers. If you asked me what to buy, here's what I'd actually say.

Some links below may earn a small referral fee — it doesn't affect my recommendations. I just want you to be able to find these cars.

Last updated: May 2026. Check current pricing and availability before buying.

By Category

Best Value / Budget

Chevy Bolt

One of the best values in EVs. Solid range, affordable price, well-designed interior. Not the fastest charging (watch for DC fast charging speed if that's important to you), but the fundamentals are strong. Great first EV or family second car.

Best Sedan / Hatchback

Hyundai Ioniq 6 or Ford Mustang Mach-E

The Ioniq 6 has stunning efficiency and a gorgeous design. The Mach-E drives like a real sports sedan, not a compliance EV. Either one will make you happy.

Best SUV — Site Owner's Pick

Hyundai Ioniq 5

This is what I drive. The combination of range, charging speed (800V architecture), technology, and design is hard to beat. It charges faster than almost anything else at DC fast chargers. The interior is thoughtfully designed without being weird. We've put 30,000+ miles on ours and still love it.

Best Truck

Ford F-150 Lightning

Delivers all the benefits of a traditional truck — capability, bed space, tow rating — but with an electric drivetrain. If you need a truck and want to go electric, this is the one. The Pro trim is remarkably affordable for what you get.

Best for Families / 3-Row

VW ID Buzz, Kia EV9, or Hyundai Ioniq 9

Three-row SUVs and electric minivans are finally hitting the market in volume. The ID Buzz is the most interesting — it's basically a modern Microbus. The EV9 and Ioniq 9 offer traditional SUV styling with EV efficiency.

Used EV Buying Guide

Right now is genuinely the best time in history to buy a used EV. Prices are near parity with used gas cars, and the quality of available EVs has never been higher.

Where to buy:

CarMax / Carvana: Large selections, quality guarantees, no-haggle pricing
Certified Pre-Owned at dealers: OEM-backed warranties, inspected by brand technicians
Private sale: Can get better prices, but requires more legwork and trust

What to check:

Charging port type — CCS is the right standard now (avoid CHAdeMO)
Battery health report — most EVs can generate one, or use a third-party service
Model vintage — avoid the last year of a dying generation; aim for 2020+ for most brands
Warranty remaining — most EVs have 8-year battery warranties; check what's left

Turo pro tip: Rent the model you're considering before you buy. The best test drive available. It'll tell you more than any review.

Where to Buy New

Direct brands (no dealer):

Tesla — online ordering, no haggle, Supercharger network
Rivian — same model, PNW company with excellent service
Lucid — premium option, incredible efficiency

Dealer brands:

Hyundai, Kia, Ford, GM, VW — negotiate, use TrueCar or Edmunds for price transparency
Costco Auto Program: Pre-negotiated pricing, no haggling, high trust

For dealer brands, don't take the first offer. Use the comparison shopping tools. The price on the window is not the price you have to pay.

Compare prices on Edmunds →

Have questions? Get in touch →