The Cheap EV That’s Perfect For Everyday Use

Most new electric vehicles are expensive. Automakers are investing billions of dollars in new factories, replacing production lines for gas-powered vehicles with facilities dedicated to battery technology. Early adopters of electric vehicles have borne some of the costs associated with this transition, as reflected in the higher prices of their new vehicles. By late 2024, the average price of a fresh-from-the-factory EV was $56,351, while the average American paid $48,724 for gas-powered cars in 2024.

As a result, some of the first affordable EVs to hit the market have come with significant trade-offs. Shoppers looking for low-cost EVs often settle for small cars, limited ranges, outdated technology, or painfully slow charging speeds. However, one unique electric sedan is changing the game, offering long-range capabilities at a starting MSRP firmly at the bottom of the market. It's a unique value proposition — and it will improve in 2025.

Ultimate Red 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Limited driving

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 Is A Bargain At A Starting Price Of $37,750

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Driving

Hyundai's electric sedan, the Ioniq 6, offers unique value. The car, one of two electric Hyundais in the Ioniq lineup, is more than $6,000 cheaper than its crossover SUV sibling, the Ioniq 5. Hyundai blends the penny-pinching MSRP with a highly efficient battery and a vast interior. It also has a unique, if not polarizing, design.

The Ioniq 6's starting MSRP is thousands lower than some competitors and addresses many issues found in similarly priced cars. The sedan offers more range than the Nissan Ariya, more space than the Fiat 500e, and bolder styling than the Kia Niro.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Trim Prices

The Ioniq 6's base price is $18,601 cheaper than the average price Americans spent on new electric vehicles in 2024. It's more affordable than several bestsellers, including the Tesla Model 3, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, and the Chevy Equinox EV. Hyundai's pricing competitiveness directly results from government incentives and private investment. The company spent $7.6 billion building an EV production facility in Georgia. New vehicles, including the Ioniq 6, started rolling out of the facility in October 2024.

Leasing Options Are Extremely Cost-Efficient

Hyundai

The Ioniq 6 is not only affordable to buy — it’s also extremely cheap to lease. Hyundai offers leasing deals with monthly payments ranging from $202 to $474 on a 36-month lease. Leasing is often a smart choice in the new electric vehicle market, as it helps customers sidestep the steep depreciation rates typical of EVs.

Two Battery Options On Offer

Isaac Atienza

The Ioniq 6 is anything but sluggish. Despite its affordable price, Hyundai has equipped the sedan with a surprisingly responsive and efficient powertrain that will impress. The car is also designed to be accessible and intuitive for first-time EV buyers, making the switch from gas-powered vehicles as seamless as possible.

The Ioniq 6 is offered with two battery options, including Standard and Long-Range variants, to cater to different driving needs. Drivers can also choose from several rear-wheel or all-wheel drive trims. Depending on the owner's daily driving needs, the car offers Normal and Sport modes on all its models, prioritizing efficiency or sportiness. Hyundai also pairs smart tech — like its battery thermal management system, which optimizes performance in extreme weather conditions — with strategic partnerships, including contracts with Electrify America for free charging credits.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Performance Specs

The Sedan Sprints to 60 MPH in 4.5 seconds

Hyundai

Most EVs have instant throttle response, zipping them to breathtaking zero-to-60 MPH speeds. The Ioniq 6 is no different. The fastest trims of the Ioniq 6 reach 60 MPH in just 4.5 seconds (the fastest speed is found in the AWD Long Range). Entry-level iterations of the sedan take just 7.0 seconds to reach highway speeds.

Reports suggest Hyundai is about to come out with an N-badged Ioniq 6. The brand's N-badged cars feature hyper-powered batteries with even faster sprinting speeds and sports brakes. The Ioniq 5 N, which was released in 2024, is quicker to 60 MPH than most Porsche 911 models.

The Ioniq 6 Boasts Great Charging Speeds, Too

Hyundai

Plugging Hyundai's EV into fast-charging Level 3 stations is one of the most seamless charging experiences in the American EV market. According to the automaker, owners can charge their vehicles from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 18 minutes on a 350 kW DC fast-charging plug.

In 2024, Hyundai began producing EVs with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) plugs. The company announced the change had made the EVs capable of charging on Tesla's Supercharger network, the most expansive fast-charging infrastructure in the US.

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You Benefit From Low Cost Of Ownership

Hyundai

Much like other electric vehicles, the Ioniq 6 has lower-than-industry-average yearly ownership costs. At-home charging (in most states) is cheaper than gas prices. Electric vehicles also anticipate fewer parts changes, given the simplicity of the powertrain's horsepower delivery.

However, EVs do have two significant drawbacks across the industry. Battery-powered cars are heavier and often require more tire replacements and rotations than the standard gas-powered car. Also, as batteries become less expensive, new vehicle prices continue to fall. While the market's barriers to entry continue to decrease, falling battery prices have depreciated the value of vehicles early adopters purchased.

2025 Ioniq 6 5-Year Ownership Cost

Yearly Breakdown Of Ioniq 6's Maintenance Costs

In five years, the Ioniq 6's owners can expect to pay between $31,396 and $46,785 in total charging, maintenance, and depreciation costs, making it one of the lowest-cost-of-ownership vehicles in the U.S. Hyundai also pairs the Ioniq 6 with its robust five-year, 60,000-mile basic and 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranties.

The Sedan Uses Its Cheap Power Efficiently

Hyundai

Charging the Hyundai also fits a penny pincher's budget. The 77.4 kWh battery can last five days between full charging on average daily driving. Smaller batteries are expected to last three days of standard daily driving. The EPA rated two Ioniq 6 trims as the third and fourth most efficient electric sedans on the U.S. market in 2024. Electric driving range, like gas consumption, is impacted by external factors such as temperature, weather conditions, and driving speed.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Efficiency Specs

How It Competes With Other EV Prices

Side profile shot of a white 2019 Nissan Leaf.

The Ioniq 6 is the fifth-least expensive EV on the market. However, it still bests lower-cost alternatives in several metrics, like efficiency, driving range, and interior space. All the cheaper EVs in the U.S. market have dozens of miles less in predicted range, including the Nissan Leaf (149 miles), the Mini Cooper SE (114 miles), the Hyundai Kona EV (200 miles), and the Fiat 500e (149 miles).

The Tesla Model 3 Is The Closest Competitor

Tesla

Tesla's diminutive and best-selling sedan, the Model 3, is very similar in price, size, body type, specs, and range. The sleek EV is a bit pricier, starting at $42,490. In its best avatar, it can offer up to 363 miles of range; nearly 20 miles more than the Ioniq 6.

There Are Other Easy-On-The-Eyes Alternatives - Including Another Hyundai

Hyundai

The Hyundai Ioniq 6’s bold design isn’t for everyone. Its swooping back-side and halogen-inspired headlights are unique design features absent from the rest of the American vehicle market. For buyers who prefer a more traditional aesthetic, Hyundai offers the Ioniq 5, a boxy yet futuristic crossover with retro charm that’s been turning heads since its debut.

Performance Specifications

The Ioniq 5 combines its standout styling with the same cutting-edge tech and impressive range found in the Ioniq 6, making it an excellent alternative for buyers who want Hyundai’s EV engineering in a different package. However, it is more expensive.

Beyond Hyundai, the EV market is full of stylish options that cater to various tastes. The Polestar 2 delivers Scandinavian minimalism in a sleek fastback form, while the Kia EV6 blends sporty lines with futuristic flair. Prospective EV shoppers looking for more SUV-like body lines can also check out the Nissan Ariya and Volkswagen ID.4 for similar prices and driving ranges.