Unlike typical motoring journalists, at Drive Green, we don’t just have an EV for a few days, after which we are expected to pass judgment and present an informed review to consumers. We live with these cars all the time and understand them in much greater detail from our years with them. We also uniquely understand them from the point of view of our thousands of customers.
“We really understand what it is like actually to own and live with these EVs.”
So, unlike a typical car journalist, we understand what it is like to own and live with these EVs, what makes one better, and even their long-term drawbacks or issues. Hopefully, thanks to our experience and knowledge, we can help you find the right EV by creating a short list of what we think represents the very best top 10 used EV buys, accessible by priced at under £20k.
“Hopefully, with our experience and knowledge, we can help you find the right EV for you.”
Price: from £7000 – Range: 140 miles
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Nissan has years more EV heritage than most manufacturers, with the iconic Nissan Leaf being one of the very first mass-produced EV’s. And its heritage shows in the quality and reliability of the 40kWh Nissan Leaf.
The Leaf is definitely a practical choice – it is nicely medium-sized, with a decent boot, very well made, and with great spec, including a very capable self-driving function on the higher-spec models.
And if you like a super smooth and comfy armchair-like driving experience, the Leaf has all the comfort and refinement of a luxury car, but at a value car price point.
“Its years of EV heritage shows in the quality and reliability of the Nissan Leaf.”
Whilst its driving range isn’t as big as some EV’s around this price point, it is made up for by its luxury drive feel and spec. The 40kWh battery will give you around 140 miles of real-world driving range, depending on how fast you like to drive this relatively heavy EV. So for the low cost of this car that is actually a pretty decent range really, and means the car is more than capable of taking on those occasional longer journeys.
Although it can rapid charge it has a different rapid charging connection to most new EV’s, which could potentially hold back its popularity (its has a CHAdeMO connection rather than the now more common CCS.) However there are still plenty of CHAdeMO charger connections out there, and unlike CCS charging, there isn’t an exponentially growing number of cars that are on the road wanting to use this connection. So it may in fact often be easier to find an available rapid charger for the Leaf.
A word of warning though – the charging rate on the leaf lowers the more consecutive rapid charges it makes on a long journey, so on a very long journey (over 250 miles) it can be quite slow to rapid charge (due to its battery not being liquid cooled), however this is a very rare scenario for most drivers, and only applicable on particularly long drives.
“A very practical choice, it is nicely medium sized, with a decent boot, very well made, and with great spec.”
If you are looking for a practical, reliable and very comfy EV at a great value price point, the Nissan Leaf is a lot of car for the money and should definitely be considered.
Price: from £6000 (battery owned) – Range: 160 miles
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When it comes to value the Renault Zoe has always led the field, and it has always been a best seller as a result. The Zoe is attractive, and compact, yet still with 5 seats and decent size boot, it is also a practical daily EV.
“When it comes to value the Renault Zoe has always led the field.”
Where the Zoe has always led the field is it’s price. It is a low-cost EV, but when it comes to range for cost it has always beaten everything out there. Most people when looking at an EV look at range first, and it is with range in mind that value is normally judged, and on this basis the Zoe has to come out on top.
This has always been especially true with the 40kWh models, able to do a very respectable 160 miles on a single charge. Not surprisingly of the cars on this sub £10k list the 40kWh Zoe has the best range by a clear margin.
“If you are looking for an approachable low-cost EV, but with a great driving range then the Zoe has to be top of the list.”
The biggest drawback with the Zoe is the fact that is cannot be rapid charged. So whilst it has a better range than the other cars on this list, if you wish to drive more than 160 miles, then it isn’t going to be the EV for you, and you are better off looking at an Ev that can be rapid charged, even if it has a lower general range.
That being said 160 miles is plenty for most people, and if you can charge at your destination and don’t need to charge on route, you can still drive your Zoe a long way.
Although generally the spec and trim level is low on the Zoe, in the 40kWh models they did make a very nice higher spec Signature Nav model if you can find one, that has a beautiful heated leather interior, as well as BOSE sound system.
The controls and very basic and familiar, which for many people is a real selling point, making it a really approachable EV.
Watch out for battery-leased models. Due to the implications of this, as well as ongoing battery rental costs, these battery leased options are to be avoided (without exception), so be sure to buy a battery-owned model.
If you are looking for an approachable low-cost EV, but with a great driving range then the Zoe has to be top of the list.
Price: from £8000
Range: 200 miles
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When it comes to value the Renault Zoe has always led the field, and it has always been our best seller as a result. This has always been true with the earlier 22kWh and 40kWh models, but now with the 50kWh models you have an excellent range of around 200 miles, from as little as under £10k.
This great 200 mile range EV is now starting to appear under £10k for the lower trim Iconic models, or higher mileage GT-Line models, and models that do not have the additional CCS rapid charge option. When you are looking at the lower trim, with higher mileages, and no rapid charge you can get a 200 mile range 4 year old EV for as little as £8k, which is incredible value.
The Zoe is also an attractive, and compact car, yet still with 5 seats and decent size boot it is also a practical daily EV. And even without the ability to CCS rapid charge, with a 200+ mile range it remains very usable for the majority of owners
“When it comes to value the Renault Zoe has always led the field.”
Where the Zoe has always led the field is it’s price. It is a low-cost EV, but when it comes to range for cost it has always beaten everything out there. Most people when looking at an EV look at range first, and it is with range in mind that value is normally judged, and on this basis the Zoe has to come out on top.
“If you are looking for an approachable low-cost EV, but with a great driving range then the Zoe has to be top of the list.”
The 50kWh Zoe is available with a CCS rapid charging connection or without. If you plan to use your Zoe on longer journeys, be sure to get a ‘rapid charge’ model, but if not then there is some money to be saved by getting one without. I
If you are looking for an approachable low-cost EV, but with a 200+ mile driving range then the Zoe has to be top of the list, especially in the 50kWh models where they also can now come with CCS rapid charging unlike the great value earlier models. Range, low price and long journey driving usability makes the 50kW Zoe a very appealing EV.
Price: from £8000 – Range: 140 miles
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The BMW i3 is a car unlike any other. There is not a car, EV or otherwise, that drives quite like it. It is so nippy and nimble, and incredibly engaging to drive. As a car for darting around the city, there has never been anything better made. Even the more recent models have the same platform, so you can get all the same driving fun from the earlier models.
“As a car for darting around the city, there has never been anything better.”
Whilst the very early 60aH models have too low a driving range, and many don’t rapid charge, the 33kWh 90aH model, with its high efficiency and lightweight construction means it is still capable of up to 140-160 miles of driving range, which is more than adequate for most drivers, especially for a car that is perhaps best suited to urban environments (although it is super enjoyable to drive on the open road.)
There are lots of trim options available, so there are cars there for the budget tight, as well as high-spec models for those who want their i3 to be as premium and high-tech as possible. Whatever you choose, you have the important thing, which is that i3 drive!
The i3 is set to be a future classic, due its uniqueness and brilliance as an EV, and if you like and enjoyable and engaging drive, and prefer your cars to be compact in size, then the i3 may well be the perfect EV for you.
“The i3 is set to be a future classic.”
This premium brand, great performing, efficient EV is now easily available for well under £10k, and at this kind of price it is a car that is very easy to fall in love with.
Price: from £8000 – Range: 140 miles
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The party trick of the Ioniq is its efficiency and the range it is able to get out of its modest sized 28 kWh battery. Despite being relatively small compared to the other eV’s on this list, Hyundai have excelled in their battery design and efficiency of the Ioniq making this car capable of ranges equal to those with much bigger batteries. And efficiency counts for a lot financially now that energy prices are so high.
“The Ioniq is a super-efficient EV, even by modern EV standards”
The 28kWh model is capable of around 140 miles of driving range. The bigger battery 38kWh models, which will soon be falling under £10k can do as much as 190 miles. This is a great range for Ioniq given its great value price point.
Although arguably not the most attractive of cars, it has a lovely modern interior and a very high spec level, especially on the higher-spec Premium SE models, which have all the spec you would want of a premium EV, even including cooled seats, sunroof, and adaptive cruise control.
“It has a stylish modern interior and control, and lots of spec “
It is a medium-sized saloon as well, which means it is nice and spacious too.
The Ioniq offers amazing value for a car of this spec and range, and makes a great value used EV buy.
Price: from £9500 – Range: 180 miles
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MG has always been a producer of great-value EV’s and the MG5 is no exception. It lives at a great value price point for its range, spec, and build quality, but the MG5 is better in quality and refinement than you would expect for its price, with MG having benefitted from its several years of experience focusing on EV production.
“It is definitely a ‘value’ EV, however its quality for its price is still very impressive.”
The MG5 is also a true estate EV, and was in fact the very first proper EV estate. So if practicality is your focus and you are looking for a larger EV, then the MG5 is the hands-down winner. It is super spacious inside and has that massive estate-size boot.
The first generation MG5 with its 53kWh battery is now available under £10k, and is capable of up to 190 miles of range, making it the highest range EV on this list.
“This is incredible value for a car of this size and range.”
Although the value of this EV is without question, it most definitely isn’t a premium vehicle, and even the higher-spec Exclusive models do not have loads of spec, but it does drive nice, and is more refined than the ZS EV predecessor, which is why the MG5 has made it onto this list rather than the ZS.
If you need the space and are buying on a budget, the MG5 is a great-value EV, and will fulfil your needs.
Price: from £7500 – Range: 160 miles
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Practicality in a car doesn’t always mean Big! If you are driving in an urban environment and regularly need to park on the city streets, in tight spots, then as small a car as possible suddenly becomes the more practical choice.
This is where the Seat Mii comes in and is important to be on our list. If you are looking for an EV that is as small as possible, but still with some degree of practicality, then the Seat Mii is our recommendation.
It shares the same platform as the VW E-up but is much more affordably priced. The Skoda CitiGo shares the same platform; however, the Mii has better trim and specs and rapid charging as standard. It is also our recommendation over the smart cars due to range and the fact it has 4 seats and 4 doors.
The model 3 combines high efficiency EV technology, with cutting edge tech and a minimalist design, with exceptional performance and handling, and a great driving range, and of course that amazing Tesla charging network. This is a very appealing EV package.
“If you need a compact car for parking in the city then the Mii is our recommendation”
It has a 37kWh battery, which gives a very usable 160 miles of driving range thanks to its size and the fact it will spend most of its time driving at city speeds.
It has a nice interior too, that is well put together and stylish, albeit on the basic side. Rather than an infotainment system is has a mobile phone app, which helps with the car’s affordability, however, it is the Mii’s main negative for many people.
“As it is likely to spend most of the time driving at city speeds, it has a more than ample range from its modest-sized battery”
If you are looking for an affordable and practically sized super compact EV, the Mii is our choice.
Price: from £8000 – Range: 120 miles
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This is the second generation of E-Golf, and as you would expect, it is an EV that benefits from the time perfected design of the Golf.
“The time-perfected design of the classic VW Golf, but electric, with all its extra positives”
Its heritage is unquestionable and there is a good reason the Golf has always been such a successful car – very nicely medium-sized, well made, and with a superb drive.
Its every-man sizing and its pleasant styling make the E-Golf very appealing, and the electric model is just so nice to drive – refined and smooth, with great handling. Still one of the best-handling EV’s out there.
It has all that VW quality in its build, and very familiar and approachable controls, which is a plus for many people.
Its 35kWh battery gives the E-Golf around 120 miles of driving range, which makes it the lowest range EV on the list, which is its biggest negative, however it does rapid charge and if you don’t do a lot of long-distance driving it is still more than adequate, and such a nice way to drive the miles you do cover.
Most are of a set standard spec, which is still a good spec, but if you like leather interiors and high-tech extras, you may need to do a lot of searching and should expect to pay a premium.
“If you want to be driving something that is at the cutting edge then it is definitely worth looking at the Ioniq 5.”
If you like familiarity and love a Golf and the VW brand then the E-Golf is your perfect choice, and is a lovely EV to drive.
Whilst in the sub £20k category there are lots of EV’s that we simply cannot recommend due to reliability issues, that isn’t the case for the earlier sub £10k EVs, which have proven to be incredibly reliable, so please rest assured that there are no EV’s in the £5-10k price bracket that we would really advise against purchasing on reliability basis. To us it seems as though there was a real drop in quality post Covid as manufacturers battled with supply shortages and rushed to get EV models to market, where they had previously been slow to embrace the transition to zero emissions driving. This is something that has not seemed to be an issue for these earlier generation EVs.
Based on our broad experience with literally thousands of EVs and their owners’ experiences, the above list includes what we think are the very best EVs that offer amazing used EV value.
If you are looking for a used EV, this list gives you the benefit of our extensive experience and will hopefully make your used EV search easier. Do get in touch for extra advice so we can help you find the right EV for you and your driving lifestyle.
NOTE: prices, etc., are correct at the time of writing
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