Summary
- Very few small electric cars are available in the United States, so we had to look at models from Europe as well.
- The Nissan Leaf is one of the best small electric cars, offering good driving range and affordability.
- The Tesla Model 3 stands out as a small electric luxury car with exceptional range and luxury qualities.
What are some of the best small electric cars of 2023? You might be shocked to learn that very few small EVs are part of the mix in the United States, which requires us to expand our search and find a few models that tool around on historically tight European roads. Most small electric cars are meant for short drives, easy city riding, and lack real performance. You’ll find a few exceptions, including the Tesla Model 3, which stands out among small cars with good electric range as one of the few small electric luxury cars.
Using information from U.S. News & World Report, Top Gear, and Edmunds, we’ve compiled the ten best small electric cars of 2023. These EVs offer various driving manners, style, and range levels to fit many needs.
10 Nissan Leaf: A Classic Continues With Good Driving Manners
The Nissan Leaf is one of the best small electric cars in the world, with sales that rival those of Tesla models. The Leaf provides good driving range in the Leaf Plus trim, achieving 237 miles of driving on a single charge. The standard model has 149 miles of range, which could be enough for most city dwellers.
Pros
- Cheapest new electric car in US
- Eligible for Federal EV Tax Credit
- Award-winning ownership costs
Cons
- Mediocre cabin materials
- Short driving range
- Only two trims are available
Small electric cars are worth the cost to some new and larger models. EVs have an average cost of more than $60,000, but spending less than $30,000 for the Nissan Leaf can be worth it for most drivers.
9 Chevrolet Bolt EV: Affordable Electric Driving From Chevrolet
If it weren’t for the Chevrolet Bolt EV, we wouldn’t have the new lineup of GM electric vehicles coming to the market. When it first arrived, the Bolt EV was one of the best small cars with a good electric range. Today, the Bolt has been surpassed by many other EVs, but still stands as one of the best small electric cars.
Pros
- Peppy powertrain
- Playful driving dynamics
- Large cargo capacity for the class
Cons
- Firm Ride
- Relatively slow DC fast-charging capacity
- Outdated tech and build
The Chevy Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf go back and forth for the position as the cheapest small electric car in America. Chevy reduced the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV prices to undercut the Leaf, but the Bolt models are also nearing the end of their lifespan and won’t be renewed with the new Chevy EVs.
8 Tesla Model 3: More Range and Luxury Qualities Than You’d Expect
Not exactly a small car, but it still counts as 'compact'. The 2023 Tesla Model 3 has the longest driving range, with 333 miles of EV driving in the Long Range trim. This small Tesla is an excellent alternative to the more luxurious Model S, making it a great choice for some drivers looking for their first electric vehicle.
Pros
- Excellent driving range
- Zippy acceleration and sporty handling
- Simple and elegant cabin design
Cons
- Firm ride
- Cramped rear seats
- Over reliance on touchscreen controls
The Tesla Model 3 and BMW i3 are the only luxurious small electric cars currently offered. They might be the only ones we see; many automakers focus on SUVs and aren’t adding cars to their EV plans. This could change in the next few years.
7 Fiat 500e: Small Electric Italian Style
When you only need a small car to tool around in the city, the Fiat 500e can be an excellent option. This little car brings style and driving qualities that you want to enjoy while also providing up to 199 miles of driving range using the 42-kWh battery pack.
Pros
- Stylish good looks
- Decent EV range for a small car
- Useful tech
Cons
- Cramped rear area
- Poor driving manners on highways
- Not as adventurous as some might like
The new Fiat 500e is the epitome of what small electric cars offer. Incidentally, these small EVs go by several other names, including micro-cars, mini-EVs, tiny cars, neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), and low-speed vehicles (LSVs). What name would you use for the small and useful Fiat 500e?
6 BMW i3: The Experimental BMW EV Lives On
The BMW i3 might not be long for the market, but it’s still around and continues to be one of the best small electric luxury cars offered, although that’s a short list. The i3 has been around for a decade and continues to include impressive quality features for anyone looking for an easy car to enjoy on city streets.
Pros
- Stand out design
- Impressive packaging
- Good driving weight and efficiency
Cons
- Rough ride on highways
- It could use more tech features
- Suicide rear doors are weird
Depending on the options and equipment, the BMW i3 provides between 177 and 193 miles of driving range. The 42.2-kWh battery can be charged to 80% in 45 minutes using the 50-kW fast charger. This little BMW could be a good option for those willing to be patient and stick to mostly city driving.
5 Mini Electric/Mini Cooper SE: British Styling And EV Driving
Another small electric car with unique styling is the Mini Electric. Based on the Cooper, this little car brings impressive driving qualities as the only all-electric Mini. The Mini Electric is called the Cooper SE in America. This small electric car has a driving range of 140-145 miles on a full charge, and it’s been a big seller, with more than 43,000 models sold in 2022.
Pros
- Agile driving manners
- Useful acceleration
- Battery doesn’t take cabin space
Cons
- Ride is tougher than the gas-powered model
- Limited driving range
- Pricey compared to rivals
Most small electric cars accelerate slowly and don’t yet use the instant torque associated with EVs. That said, the Tesla Model 3 is an exception to the plodding nature of these city dwellers. Although small electric cars aren’t considered fast or quick, they don’t need to be. Most of these cars spend time on cramped city streets, not highways.
4 Renault Zoe: Small Renault Electric Driving
The Renault Zoe is the best-selling small electric car in Europe. This car brings impressive style, useful driving range, and an affordable build making it one of the best options for European drivers. The Zoe rivals many other small electric cars but delivers more of what drivers are looking for with impressive size and good looks.
Pros
- Efficiency and driving range
- Choice of motors
- New interior
Cons
- Fast-charger not standard and only achieves 50-kW
- Rear seats aren’t adult-friendly
- Driver’s seat lacks height adjustment
The Zoe isn’t a quick car, taking nearly ten seconds to reach 60 mph, but it’s meant for slow-moving city traffic and relaxed rides through the European countryside. This Renault electric car provides 245 miles of driving range and can add 90 miles of range in 30 minutes using the fast charger.
3 Honda E: The Only Small Electric Honda
The Honda E takes qualities from the Urban EV Concept to become one of the best small electric cars tooling around Europe. This is Honda’s first mass-market pure-electric car, and it’s ideal for city driving with its small size and agile handling. The Honda E brings 137 miles of driving range and up to 152 horsepower for your drive.
Pros
- Unique dashboard
- Stylish looks
- Engaging handling
Cons
- More expensive than other small electric cars
- Limited driving range
- Small cargo area
The Honda E might not be the most affordable car in its class, but it has plenty of great features. This forward-thinking Honda has cameras for the side mirrors, a 100-kW DC fast-charging system, and an app to pre-condition the batteries on cold mornings. The Honda E provides impressive features for its class and price, but it’s a little pricier than most small EVs.
2 Jeep Avenger: A City Jeep Powered By Electricity
The new Jeep Avenger isn’t heading to America as one of the first electric Jeeps, but it is a useful small electric city car that provides smooth driving and easy handling around town. The Avenger is smaller than the gas-powered Renegade, providing 200 miles of driving range from the 51-kWh battery pack that returns 156 horsepower.
Pros
- Useful as a city car
- Practical interior with ample storage space
- Fresh, modern design
Cons
- Not a real off-roading Jeep
- FWD only, no AWD version yet
- No Frunk
The Jeep Avenger brings the recognizable blocky Jeep style we admire to the road. This little electric Jeep isn’t as cheap as the Wuling Motors Mini EV, which costs $4,300, but most electric vehicles are much more expensive than this small Chinese electric car. The Jeep Avenger could be an excellent alternative to the traditional small European cars.
1 Citroën Ami: A Small Electric Car With Little To Offer
Those driving the Citroen Ami only drive it because they love it for what it is. This little car isn’t fun to drive, but it is fun to use in a city. The simplicity of the Ami makes it attractive. The tiny Ami is more of a quadricycle with an electric motor. The electric driving range is only 47 miles, but that could be enough for those who never need to get on the highway.
Pros
- Simple, fun, cheap
- Better than cycling in the rain
Cons
- Slow and basic
- Only useful in the city
The tiny Citroën Ami costs about $6,000 and should arrive in the United States as part of a subscription service in the Free2Move car-sharing program. This little car isn’t meant to be driven far or for long, but it can be one of the best small electric cars for tiny city streets in Europe.