6 Best EVs to Buy in 2025

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming far more prominent on the roads, but many consumers still aren’t entirely sure about them. How far can I go, which are the best, and how much do they cost? And will an EV fit my lifestyle?

We can’t answer that last question for you, but we can help with the others. Our team of experts has assessed them all and voted for the best ones, looking at how they rack up for driving performance, range, practicality, and other factors like value. 

While some of these EVs can’t be classified as affordable for many people, some of the cheapest EVs make a lot of sacrifices in terms of range, quality, or space, so our experts focused on picking more mid-range electric vehicles that might cost more but have more “bang for your buck” because they don’t make as many compromises and check more boxes for a wider variety of drivers.

These are the best non-luxury brand EVs our experts confidently recommend to their families and friends. All prices include the automaker’s non-negotiable delivery charge but without any government rebates that may be available, depending on where you live. Our range ratings are from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Ford initially took a lot of heat over naming its new all-electric crossover after its famous pony car, but the Mach-E managed to carve its own spot in the automaker’s lineup. It comes in a range of trims, including a performance GT model, and our experts love their looks, comfort, practicality, cargo volume, and features, along with the Mach-E’s great driving characteristics and handling.

The standard-range models use a 72-kWh battery, while extended-range versions carry a 91-kWh battery. Depending on the trim and whether it’s rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), the regular Mach-E models make between 264 and 365 horsepower, and between 387 and 500 lb-ft of torque, while the GT makes 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque. 

Standard-range models are rated at 415 km in RWD and 380 in AWD, extended-range is 515 km in RWD and 483 in AWD, and the GT in AWD only gets 446 km. Ford has reduced prices for 2025, and the Mustang Mach-E ranges from $55,590 in Select RWD standard range, to $65,590 for the Premium AWD extended range, and $72,590 for the performance-oriented GT.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

There’s no mistaking this stylish Hyundai with its sharp-creased retro-inspired design and signature lighting. Our experts are impressed with its performance, especially its smooth ride and the fact that its steering and handling are excellent.

The Ioniq 5 Preferred Standard comes with a 63.0-kWh battery and an electric motor that makes 168 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque driving the rear wheels. It offers 373 kilometres of estimated range. The Preferred Long Range uses the same motor, but its 84.0-kWh battery gives it up to 504 km. The Preferred Long Range AWD adds a second motor for the front wheels. The combination creates 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque and has a range of 463 km.

Our experts appreciate the Ioniq 5’s practicality, with a set-back centre front console so there’s room to put a pack or purse on the floor, sliding rear seats to prioritize legroom or cargo space, and numerous features on all models. The Preferred Standard is $54,999, the Long Range is $57,499, and the Long Range AWD is $59,499. There’s even a performance-oriented N model for people who want even more excitement in their EVs.

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Unlike the more crossover-styled Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 is a midsize four-door sedan. Our experts love its swoopy styling that contributes to its impressive aerodynamics – the more slippery a vehicle is, the more efficient it can be, which is especially important for an electric vehicle. It drives very well with a confident, planted feel and smooth ride. Its interior features a number of recycled materials, including seat and carpet fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles and fishing nets, and environmentally-friendly dyes.

The Ioniq 6 uses a 77.4-kWh battery in both of its Preferred Long Range trims. The base model uses an electric motor making 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and is RWD. The AWD version adds a front motor, and the two combine to make 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. Range is 550 km in RWD and 509 km in AWD.

Pricing for the RWD version is $56,999, while the AWD model is $60,399. The AWD model can be optioned with an Ultimate package that includes such items as heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, head-up display, and panoramic sunroof, among others.

Kia Niro EV

Kia makes the most of its Niro subcompact crossover: it’s available as a gas-electric hybrid, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and, as we’re focusing here, as an EV. A redesign for 2023 turned it into a more stylish offering, especially if you opt for the available contrasting-colour blade on the rear haunch that’s delightfully reminiscent of the Audi R8 sports car.

The Niro EV uses a 64.8-kWh battery that feeds an electric motor making 201 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque, exclusively driving the front wheels and with a range of 407 km. While those power numbers aren’t huge, our experts found it has no trouble getting up to highway speeds and passing others once they’re there. What really impresses is the Niro EV’s comfortable ride, even on rough pavement. It’s roomy for passengers, and cargo capacity extends from 646 to 1,804 litres when the seats are folded.

The entry Wind trim is $47,595. The Wind+ adds such features as a heat pump, hands-free liftgate, heated front seats, wireless charger, and power driver’s seat for $50,595. The top Wave then adds power-folding mirrors, sunroof, air-cooled front seats, heated rear seats, power passenger seat, head-up display, auto-dimming mirror, and premium stereo for $55,595.

If you have a bit more budget to play with or need more space for your family, the following two EVs are highly recommended by our experts but start at over $60k.

Kia EV9

For 2025, the Kia EV9 first won our award for Best Mainstream EV and then took Best Overall SUV, marking the first time an electric model has won that top title. And while others are on their way, the EV9 is currently – no pun intended – the only three-row electric SUV from a mainstream brand. That’s a plus for those who want a plug-in family hauler without getting into triple-digit prices from premium brands.

The EV9 comes in three trims. The Wind uses a 76.1-kWh battery and a single motor powering the rear wheels, making 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and with a range of 370 km. The Wind uses the same motor but with a 99.8-kWh battery for 489 km. The Land adds a second motor for AWD, with a combined 379 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, and a range of 451 km.

Our experts praise its roomy and functional interior, with viable third-row space for adults, cargo space that extends from 583 to 1,233 litres when the rows are folded, towing capacity of up to 2,266 kg (5,000 lbs), simple and easy-to-use controls, smooth ride and responsive handling, and its numerous driver-assist safety features. Pricing is $62,145 for the Light, $65,145 for the Wind, and $67,145 for the Land.

Volkswagen ID.Buzz

If the ID.Buzz doesn’t make you want to grab a surfboard and hang out at the beach, well, we got nothing. But we also got nothing if we’re just considering the way-cool-nostalgia factor, and the ID.Buzz impresses our experts with its massive practicality as well.

The “Buzz” comes with a single electric motor driving the rear wheels with 282 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque; or with two motors for AWD – Volkswagen calls it 4Motion – for 335 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. Both use a 91-kWh battery, with a range of 377 km for rear-wheel and 372 km for AWD. While its acceleration isn’t neck-snapping, it gets up to highway speeds quickly and has no trouble with passing maneuvers. It’s smooth to drive and its tight turning radius makes it easy to park.

Its three rows handle seven people in the RWD model and six in the AWD. That third row folds or can be removed, and when the second row is folded too, you get 2,469 litres of cargo space. Volkswagen says it isn’t a minivan, but its sliding doors tell us otherwise. We love the convenience and practicality of sliding doors because they make it easier to load people and stuff in tight parking spaces.

It’s not cheap, but it comes very well-equipped and includes a 12.9-inch touchscreen, head-up display, premium stereo, heat pump, three-zone climate control, and numerous driver-assist safety features. It comes in a single 1st Edition trim for 2025, at $79,995 in RWD, and $85,494 in AWD.