The most reliable used electric cars you can buy right now

From a Polestar 2 built on Volvo's engineering to a Rivian R1S with 835 horsepower and three rows of seating

Buying used makes particular financial sense in the electric vehicle segment. New EVs carry premium prices that reflect both the technology cost and the novelty premium of early adoption, and many depreciate quickly enough that a two- or three-year-old model can be had for substantially less than its original purchase price without meaningful loss of utility. The underlying technology — battery chemistry, motor efficiency, software — has not advanced so dramatically that a 2021 or 2022 EV represents an inferior product for most buyers’ needs. A used EV buyer captures the value the first owner absorbed on the way down and, in many cases, gets a vehicle that still outperforms new gasoline alternatives on operating costs.

The range of options in the used EV market has expanded rapidly as the original generation of mass-market electric vehicles approaches ages 3 to 5 years. Buyers can now choose from full-size electric pickups, performance-oriented electric sedans, compact crossovers, and midsize SUVs with three-row seating, formats that simply did not exist in the used EV market five years ago. The brands represented include startups that designed their vehicles as electric from the ground up alongside legacy automakers that converted or adapted existing platforms for electrification, and the two approaches produce meaningfully different ownership experiences.

These 10 vehicles come from U.S. News & World Report’s selection of the best used electric cars in 2026, ranked by U.S. News Rating scores that incorporate safety, comfort, features, value, and performance. The list covers model years 2020 through 2023 across multiple vehicle types. Pricing figures shown reflect source-reported averages at the time of publication and may vary by market and availability. The U.S. News Ratings used here reflect data collected at the time of publication and may change as new information becomes available.

1. Rivian R1T ships with a standard built-in air compressor

The 2022 Rivian $RIVN R1T earns a U.S. News Rating of 9.2 out of 10 — the highest of any vehicle on this list — and a maximum driving range of 400 miles. Horsepower ratings range from 600 to 835, depending on configuration, and all-wheel drive comes standard. The R1T was among the first fully electric pickup trucks to reach market, and Rivian’s status as a new brand without legacy truck buyers to satisfy freed it to design the vehicle without the constraint of making it feel like a modified gasoline truck.

The built-in air compressor, standard on every R1T, is a practical feature with specific off-road and outdoor utility: it inflates tires, operates air tools, and serves camping and trail use without a separate portable unit. The available slide-out kitchen console is a feature that reflects Rivian’s design freedom. A gas-powered truck from a major brand would face internal resistance to such a departure from convention. All Rivian vehicles are built in the Midwest, which the source notes as a counterpoint to the brand’s visually distinctive design that might suggest otherwise.

The R1T’s 9.2 overall score reflects a vehicle that excels across the multiple dimensions that the U.S. News Rating incorporates. For used buyers who want the highest-rated EV on this list with the longest range and the strongest performance credentials, the R1T provides all three. The 400-mile maximum range also gives used buyers a buffer against the range degradation that battery packs experience over time, a concern that matters more for a used vehicle than for a new one, and that the R1T’s high baseline addresses more generously than shorter-range alternatives. The standard air compressor also gives the R1T a practical utility advantage that the other trucks on this list do not match out of the box. The R1T’s 600-to-835-horsepower range also gives used buyers a performance baseline that gas pickup trucks at comparable price points do not approach.

2. Polestar 2 comes from Volvo’s lineage with AWD standard

The 2021 Polestar 2 earns a U.S. News Rating of 9.0 out of 10 and carries an average used price of $23,173, with a maximum range of 233 miles. All-wheel drive comes standard. Two electric motors, a 78-kWh battery, and a single-speed transmission power the vehicle, and the source describes its handling as taut with great stability and enthusiastic off-the-line acceleration from the plentiful torque. The 11.2-inch touchscreen and wireless device charging are standard, and reviewers characterize the infotainment system as quick, responsive, and enjoyable.

Polestar is a Volvo spinoff that sells low volumes of its vehicles, a dynamic the source identifies as a potential advantage for used buyers. Low production numbers and limited brand recognition can keep used prices more accessible than the vehicle’s quality might otherwise command. The source describes the Polestar 2 as a sophisticated small car with driving dynamics that the source believes deserve more recognition than the brand’s low profile has generated.

The Polestar 2’s $23,173 average used price is the lowest among the vehicles on this list for which the source reports a price, making it one of the most financially accessible options for buyers who want a 9.0-rated EV. The AWD-standard configuration also means buyers do not need to search for a specific trim to get all-wheel capability, which simplifies the used-car shopping process. For buyers who prioritize driving dynamics and want a premium-feeling EV at a........

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