The 15 Least Powerful EVs You Can Buy in 2023

Owen Bellwood

May 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM·4 min read

A photo of a blue Chevrolet Bolt EV on a beach.

The Chevrolet Bolt: Under-powered or perfectly-powered?

By now, we should all know that electric cars are heavier than their gas-powered counterparts. But because of the weight of the batteries that they pack in, they also often have to be more powerful in order to keep them comfortably cruising at highway speeds.

However, not every EV on sale today comes with four-figure horsepower like the ridiculously powerful Hummer EV. In fact, there are currently 15 cars on sale today that make less than a quarter of the 1,000 hp that the Hummer kicks out.

So, to find out if these sub-250 hp EVs are underpowered or simply perfectly-powered, we trawled through the spec sheet to find out more about the least powerful EVs that you can buy right now.

15. Hyundai Ioniq 6 RWD

A photo of a red Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric sedan.

Power: 225 hp
Price: $45,500

In its base, rear-wheel-drive configuration, Hyundai’s new Ioniq 6 sedan kicks out 225 hp from a single motor at the rear. While it’s less powerful than the dual-motor model, it does come with more range – topping out at 361 miles compared to 316 miles in the all-wheel-drive model.

14. Kia EV6 RWD

Power: 225 hp
Price: $48,700

While the Kia EV6 GT might be one of the most powerful EVs you can buy right now, its single-motor sibling manages a much more humble 225 hp.

13. Subaru Solterra

Power: 215 hp
Price: $44,995

With ten fewer horses but 100 extra pounds compared to the EV6 is Subaru’s first all-electric SUV. With its 215 hp powertrain, this all-wheel-drive SUV will hit 60 mph in 6.5 seconds.

12. Nissan Ariya FWD

A photo of a gold Nissan Ariya electric SUV.

Power: 214 hp
Price: $43,190

With just one horse-worth of power less than the Subaru comes the latest and greatest from Nissan. Despite making about as much power as a 1999 Acura SLX, this electric off-roader weighs more than 4,000 pounds.

11. Volkswagen ID.4 Standard

Power: 201 hp
Price: $38,995

Edging closer to the 200 hp mark is the VW ID.4. In its single motor setup, the car tops out at 201 hp, but with dual motors that can rise to 295 hp.

10. Toyota bZ4X

A photo of a silver Toyota bZ4X at night.

Power: 201 hp
Price: $42,000

The sibling to the Solterra actually makes less power than its Subaru-badged relative. But, it does also weigh less than the Solterra, 4,266 pounds versus 4,365 pounds, so performance might shake out in the wash.

9. Hyundai Kona Electric

A photo of a yellow Hyundai Kona Electric.

Power: 201 hp
Price: $33,550

The third of four models to make 201 hp is the Hyundai Kona Electric. But maybe because of its lower horsepower figure, the Kona EV manages 260 miles on a single charge of its battery.

8. Kia Niro EV

A photo of a white Kia Niro EV at sunset.

Power: 201 hp
Price: $39,950

One of Jalopnik’s picks for the most fun EVs you can get right now is the Kia Niro, proving that unlimited horsepower is not the key to an excellent driving experience.

7. Chevrolet Bolt EUV

Power: 200 hp
Price: $27,800

With one fewer horse than the Niro, you’ll find the Chevrolet Bolt EUV. This “electric utility vehicle” remains one of the cheapest EVs you can buy in America.

6. Chevrolet Bolt EV

Power: 200 hp
Price: $26,500

The Bolt EUV’s smaller sibling sticks with the same 200 hp motor. But sadly, the budget-friendly, pocket-sized EV is not long for this world, as Chevrolet announced place to kill off the Bolt and Bold EUV.

5. Mercedes EQB 250+ SUV

A photo of a white Mercedes EQB 250+ SUV.

Power: 188 hp
Price: $52,750

Weighing 908 pounds more than the Bolt but boasting 12 less horses-worth of power is Mercedes’ EQB electric SUV. In its 250+ spec, the EQB is the least powerful Mercedes EV you can currently buy.

4. Mini Hardtop Cooper SE

A photo of a grey Mini Hardtop Cooper SE.

Power: 181 hp
Price: $30,900

The all-electric Mini Cooper SE is packed with a single electric motor that kicks out 47 hp more than the 1.5 liter engine you find in the gas-powered Mini.

3. Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE Standard Range

A photo of a silver Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric car.

Power: 168 hp
Price: $41,450

Hyundai does make more powerful Ioniq 5s, but in its base rear-wheel-drive spec, the futuristic SUV claims the title of the third least powerful EV with its 168 hp single motor setup.

2. Nissan Leaf

A phot of a white Nissan Leaf electric car.

Power: 147 hp
Price: $28,040

One of the oldest EVs on this list is also one of the least powerful — nice work Nissan! With just 147 hp coming from its 110 kW motor, the Nissan Leaf will hit 60 mph in around 8.4 seconds.

1. Mazda MX-30

A photo of a white Mazda MX-30 electric SUV.

Power: 143 hp
Price: $34,110

But the least powerful EV you can buy right now is, of course, the Mazda MX-30. This battery-powered SUV comes with just 143 hp from its single motor, which can only power it for up to 100 miles per charge.