There are huge changes coming to the lineups of almost every major auto manufacturer. The success of Tesla (and to a lesser degree of the Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf) has led other manufacturers to design and produce a wide range of electric vehicles to meet consumer demand. Until now, almost all electric vehicles have been coupes, sedans, or hatchbacks, as the technology just wasn’t there to produce a useful and affordable truck or SUV for the marketplace. And while we still are not seeing all eclectic Ram pickup trucks rolling around Walmart parking lots, we are starting to see an emerging market of electric crossover vehicles that are a bit roomier than the electric cars we have become used to seeing in the past few years. Better yet, a few of these early electric crossovers are actually not too expensive, especially when considering the $7,500 federal tax credit that you may be eligible for if you buy one of these new vehicles.

2021 Kia Niro – Starting at $40,265

Kia is a brand well known to many Millennials who had to drive second hand Rios or Spectras around after high school band practice got out. Kia has produced reasonably reliable, reasonably cheap cars for reasonable people for many years now, and has been grumpily accepted alongside the Fords and Chevys of America. They also now offer one of the cheapest electric crossovers you can buy, the Kia Niro in its electric engine configuration. The Niro launched as a hybrid in 2016, and was first offered as an electric vehicle in 2018, one of the very first in the market. Popular Mechanics named the Niro EV as its electric vehicle of the year for 2019, highlighting its practical features, appealing style, and especially its 239 mile range. It has more storage space than a Prius, despite actually being the shorter vehicle. The Niro also offers just a bit more headroom and legroom than the Prius, and puts you about 2 ½ inches higher up off the road for the crossover driving position that many people enjoy. The Niro is also rated to tow 2,800 lbs, enough for a teardrop trailer or small boat. It’s not a ton, but more than most electric vehicles can offer, and that bit of flexibility can go a long way to making your vehicle that much more practical. Be aware of the relatively low 6.3 inches of ground clearance, lest you become stuck in mud or heavy snow. Some reviewer criticisms includes uncomfortable ergonomics (your mileage may vary) and lazy acceleration.  

Who Should Buy It?: You want an Electric Vehicle with a decently sized rear seat and usable amounts of storage space, but don’t need to go off road.

2021 Volkswagen ID.4 – Starting at $39,995

In addition to being just a bit cheaper,Volkswagen’s strangely named ID.4 earned a slightly higher rating from Car & Driver over the Kia Niro. It is not an apples-to-apples comparison, however, as the ID.4 is the larger vehicle, edging closer to the small SUV side of the crossover category. Its wider, taller, and longer, and it has a more powerful engine that makes 201 horsepower and 228 lbs. feet of torque. The cost of a more powerful engine and larger vehicle is that the range is slightly worse than the Niro, getting only 250 miles to a charge despite its larger battery. The ID.4 has a roomy and well designed interior, with the notable exception of its infotainment screen, which some reviewers reported as unresponsive or fussy. Firmware updates may improve on this in the future. The ID.4 has a towing capacity of 2,700 lbs, and a respectable 8.2 inches of ground clearance, making it a useful vehicle in mild off road conditions and heavy snow. The ID.4, like many of Volkswagen’s offerings to the North American marketplace in recent years, could be described as solid, practical, and not overly exciting. 

Who Should Buy It?: One of the only EVs on the market with good clearance, a powerful engine, and optional all-wheel drive, the ID.4 is perfect if what you really wanted was a Tesla Model S, but worry it will get stuck in three inches of snow.

2022 Hyundai Kona – Starting at $37,390

Coming in more than $2,500 cheaper than its nearest competitors, the all electric Hyundai Kona seems like it could be a really great deal. Hyundai has already come out with their 2022 model, which is rather cheeky as this is being written in the middle of March 2021, but let’s not hold that against them. Their newest Kona EV has a respectable 258 mile range with a 201 horsepower engine. The Kona EV has a peppy 6.4 second 0-60 rating, and reviewers report the vehicle handles well and is responsive on the road. The Kona is small even for a crossover, being 4 inches shorter than the Niro and 8 inches shorter than the ID.4. It does have about the same height as the Niro, so you still get slightly better views from the road than with a sedan, but also like the Niro you have less than 7 inches of ground clearance. This is not an off road vehicle. Being so small, the Kona offers the least overall passenger and cargo space of the three crossovers on this list, though it still offers ample legroom and headroom for the driver and front passenger. Rear seat passengers may feel cramped unless they are children or slightly built. The Kona just received a style update for 2022, but most of its mechanicals and interior are unchanged from the previous year.

Who Should Buy It?: If you don’t mind the small rear seats and poor off road abilities, the Kona might just be the best option available, and after federal tax credits the base model can cost you under thirty grand.