The Tesla Model S Plaid sets speed records that make adrenaline junkies drool with desire for the opportunity to drive this incredible electric vehicle. Although fast, the Model S Plaid isn’t exactly practical for most drivers. This Tesla is expensive and a sedan, making it much less practical and affordable than most electric SUVs.

Out on the mean streets, performance isn’t as much about sprint times, track speed, or lap times but how quickly you can take off from a stop light. Electric vehicles inherently offer faster acceleration than gas-powered vehicles because of the instant torque delivery from the electric motors. When you want to pair this electric acceleration with affordability, you’ll want to drive one of these ten affordable electric SUVs.

Whether it’s a new model or one of the affordable used SUVs, finding a cheap, high-performance SUV with an electric powertrain can be easy when you have a strong list to start from.

Looking at data from sources like Road & Track, MotorTrend, and Kelly Blue Book, we put together a list of affordable SUVs that also provide great performance.

Related: 10 Best Electric SUVs That You Can Buy

10 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV: The Most Affordable Electric SUV Brings The Heat

Starting Price: $27,800

The Chevrolet Bolt EUV delivers on the promise of combined quality and value in the electric SUV class. This SUV is named the 2023 Best Electric SUV for the Money by U.S. News & World Report, which should instill confidence in most consumers. The Bolt EUV isn’t the fastest or most exciting, but it offers a 247-mile electric driving range and is affordable. If you want to find this SUV for even less, several affordable used versions of this SUV are also available.

Pricing

It might take seven seconds for the Bolt EUV to hit 60 mph, but the instant jolt off the line at a stoplight will make you smile when you’re behind the wheel. Driving this little Chevy means you’ve chosen value and price over pure speed, but you still enjoy the instant acceleration that puts you ahead of most traffic on the road.

9 2023 Volkswagen ID.4: A Starting Point For The VW EV World

Starting Price: $38,995

The Volkswagen ID.4 is VW’s first entry into the electric SUV world. This model falls into the category of being an affordable electric SUV, but that doesn’t make it a cheap high-performance SUV. Still, like other electric vehicles, the ID.4 briskly accelerates off the line to take drivers ahead of the pack and out on the open road for some driving pleasure. You’ll find an upscale, library-quiet cabin to give you a pleasant environment for your drive.

Pricing

Starting at the base model, the Volkswagen ID.4 includes a 62-kWh battery pack and a rear-mounted electric motor that produces 201 horsepower. The larger 82-kWh battery pack could be much more attractive, especially if you’re looking for the most power and performance in this electric SUV. Choose the dual-motor layout and the larger battery, and you’ll have the benefits of 295 horsepower and AWD.

Related: 10 Things To Love About The Volkswagen ID.4

8 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5: Where Price Meets Performance In An Electric SUV

Starting Price: $41,450

One of the more affordable SUVs in the EV world is the Hyundai Ioniq 5. This impressive EV brings hatchback styling, sporty driving dynamics, and up to 220 miles of driving range in the base model. The single-motor model features a single electric motor that delivers up to 225 horsepower, but if you’re searching for actual performance, the dual-motor layout is where you’ll find it.

Pricing

When you step up to the Long Range dual-motor version of this Hyundai electric SUV, a second electric motor is added, providing full-time AWD and increasing the power output to 320 horsepower. The addition of the second electric motor also increases the driving range to 303 miles in a single charge in RWD versions, while AWD models offer 266 miles of driving range.

7 2023 Toyota bZ4X: Pleasingly Comfortable Toyota EV Performance

Starting Price: $42,000

The latest vehicle in the Toyota lineup is the bZ4X, the brand’s first electric SUV. As expected, this Toyota EV is comfortable, appealing, and one of the most affordable electric SUVs on the market today. Although not as stylish or luxurious as a Genesis GV60, the bZ4X is comfortable and offers perky acceleration to give you a bit of the performance feeling desired. After a few years, the bZ4X will likely be one of the most affordable used electric SUVs available.

Pricing

Toyota offers this electric SUV as a WD model with a 150-kW motor that produces 201 horsepower, while the AWD model adds a second 80-kW motor to deliver 214 horsepower. These numbers don’t blow you away but allow this Toyota EV to be useful on any road. The XLE FWD trim offers 252 miles of driving range, with the AWD model dropping the range to 228 miles. If you step up to the Limited trim with AWD, you’ll find 222 miles of driving range in this Toyota electric SUV.

Related: 2022 2023 Toyota BZ4X Review: Radically Different But Underachieving

6 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E: Talk About A Cheap, High-Performance Electric SUV

Starting Price: $42,995

While Mustang purists continue to grumble about this electric SUV, the Ford Mustang Mach-E shows up and shows off. This incredible electric SUV has the sporty good looks associated with the name while offering the practicality and driving range required of a family-sized SUV. You can enjoy the aggressive electric performance built into the Mach-E at an affordable price.

Pricing

The 2023 Mustang Mach-E has two battery pack sizes – 70-kWh Standard Range or 91-kWh Extended Range with a maximum of 312 miles of driving range. You’ll also find two drivetrain layouts with RWD or AWD offered in this affordable electric SUV. If you want the most performance from this Ford, the Mach-E GT brings 480 horsepower.

5 2023 Nissan Ariya: A Quiet Ride With Just A Hint Of Excitement

Starting Price: $43,190

Nissan has more than a decade of experience building electric vehicles. The lessons learned with the Nissan Leaf are translated into the 2023 Nissan Ariya to make it a comfortable and capable electric SUV. This affordable SUV comes in FWD and AWD, with a special name for the AWD version. The e-4ORCE system could be the next great item in the automotive world with standout performance capabilities.

Pricing

Stepping into the cabin, you’ll find an area packed with impressive features, a polished feeling, and excellent styling. When searching for a place where the Nissan electric SUV falters, it’s in the charging speed. The Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 both charge faster than the Ariya. Choose an FWD model that delivers 214 horsepower from a single electric motor or a dual-motor version with AWD and 335 horsepower for your driving pleasure. Move up to the larger 87-kWh battery pack, and these figures increase to 238 and 389 horsepower, respectively.

Related: Here's Why The Nissan Ariya Is A Game Changer

4 2023 Kia EV6: Surprising Power In The GT Trim

Starting Price: $48,700

The most affordable SUV in the Kia EV6 lineup might not be the one you want to drive. Still, this Kia electric SUV pushes the definition of what an SUV should be without tossing it over the edge of reason. There’s plenty of interior space and versatility for the EV6 to qualify as an SUV, but you might think of it as more of a performance vehicle.

Pricing

The Kia EV6 brings a maximum driving range of 310 miles in the RWD model. This version is the most affordable setup but only includes one electric motor delivering 225 horsepower to the rear wheels. Add a second electric motor to the front axle, and you’ll enjoy an AWD version with 320 horsepower. The surprise in the GT trim is the 576 horsepower produced by the two electric motors. The 2023 Kia EV6 GT is the most powerful Kai production vehicle ever.

3 2023 Tesla Model Y Performance: Popularity Meets Performance

Starting Price: $50,490

When you want an SUV built on the same platform as the Tesla Model 3, the Model Y is what you’ll drive. Heading to the Performance trim, you’ll find an impressive driving range of 303 miles and Tesla’s classy styling that makes this electric SUV popular among new EV buyers. The instant acceleration engages the fun factor you’re after when searching for a cheap, high-performance SUV to give you the desired driving experience.

Pricing

Depending on the model chosen, the 2023 Tesla Model Y can hit 60 mph in a range from 3.5 to 5.0 seconds. The Long Range model achieves 330 miles of driving on a full charge, but it’s slower than the Performance trim. Sticking to the base Model Y, the driving range is still relatively impressive at 279 miles.

Related: 10 Reasons To Buy The Tesla Model Y Over The Ford Mustang Mach-E

2 2023 Genesis GV60: Genesis Breaks Through With A High-Performance Electric SUV

Starting Price: $59,290

Genesis gave the GV60 an interesting feature to capture your attention when sitting in this affordable electric SUV while eating lunch. This item is the crystal sphere that spins over to show the gear selector once you start the electric motors. This item is only one aspect of the intriguing design offered in the GV60. You’ll find an electric SUV with tons of high-tech features and excellent details, making it a worthy member of this list.

Pricing

When you want performance in your electric Genesis SUV, the Performance AWD version rockets to 60 mph in only 3.6 seconds. The GV60 includes a Boost mode that increases power from 429 to 483 horsepower for short bursts of speed. Even if you’re not inclined to reach for the Performance AWD model, the Advanced AWD delivers 314 horsepower and has a longer driving range of 246 miles compared to the 235 found in the Performance AWD model.

1 2023 Cadillac Lyriq: The Newest Cadillac Takes Its Place In The EV Market

Starting Price:$61,795

Cadillac breaks into the electric luxury SUV world with the Lyriq. This EV SUV brings a strong combination of futuristic elements and signature Cadillac styling cues. The interior includes fantastic materials, flashy technology, and clean lines. The 33-inch display screen should quickly capture your gaze by displaying digitized elements, including the instrument panel and infotainment screen.

Pricing

Power isn’t always affordable, but this electric SUV brings 340 horsepower from the electric motors, giving you Cadillac style and performance elements to make this a fun and active SUV to drive. The driving range reached 312 miles, which should be sufficient for several days of commuting or a good portion of a road trip. Either way, the Lyriq offers the comfort, style, and performance that makes it an attractive electric SUV.