Key Takeaways
- Range is an important factor when considering an all-electric vehicle and matters even more if you don’t live in an area with many charging stations.
- Some electric vehicles are overpriced compared with their gas-powered or hybrid counterparts.
- Electric vehicles don’t always save you money due to higher base prices and utility bills.
- You can offset a portion of an all-electric vehicle’s cost through tax credits and incentives.
Not every electric vehicle lived up to the hype in 2022. Some models under-performed on range, charging convenience, or reliability — leaving drivers disappointed. Others came with lofty promises but delivered compromised ride comfort, limited charge-station support, or higher-than-expected maintenance costs. When buying an EV, it’s wise to look beyond the buzz and examine real-world performance, resale value, and ownership experience before making a decision.
How to Decide Whether to Buy an Electric Vehicle
You probably hear news stories all the time about the emergence of new electric vehicles and the nationwide push to eliminate the gasoline engine. The truth is only 2.2% of the vehicles in the world are electric, and the electric vehicle market isn’t that large. This is sure to change because California and the federal government are both committed to reducing emissions over the next decade.
If you live in an area with the infrastructure to support electric vehicles and are concerned about the cost of gas, then it’s something worthy of consideration. If you live in the country and there aren’t many places to recharge your vehicle, you may be better off searching for an efficient gas-powered vehicle.
Electric Vehicle Alternatives
If you’re not quite ready to purchase an electric vehicle, but have a sour taste in your mouth every time you leave the gas station, there are a few alternatives you can look at. Some gas-powered vehicles on the market get over 40 mpg on the highway, and hybrids perform even better. Hybrids are especially nice if you live in the city because they can get better gas mileage in traffic than on the open road.
The final alternative is a plug-in hybrid because it allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds. You can drive without gas until you run out of range and then use the gas engine until you’re able to charge the vehicle again.
Which Electric Vehicles Aren’t Worth the Hype in 2022?
Some automakers have gone all-in on electric vehicle technology, and it shows. They offer vehicles with sporty performance, long range and utility. It’s not impossible to find an electric vehicle you can afford anymore either.
The following list contains vehicles that have fallen short of the mark either because they’ve lost relevance or don’t offer enough value to justify their hefty price tags. There are much more affordable and capable vehicles to choose from instead.
1. Chevrolet Bolt
The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt tries to be cool but just makes you feel awkward instead. Chevrolet boasts that it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, but this is an eternity for modern vehicles. It’s also very compact with a cramped interior made of low-quality materials.
You can drive up to 259 miles on a single charge, which isn’t terrible, but isn’t great either. The final nail in the coffin for the Bolt is its MSRP. For what you’re getting, it’s simply not worth it.
2. Nissan Leaf
The 2022 Nissan Leaf proves how the mighty have fallen. The original Leaf was the first all-electric vehicle to hit the market, but now it’s boring. Its rivals have better performance and handling, more interior space and longer ranges between charges. The main thing the Leaf has going for it is its low starting price tag.
The Nissan Leaf is also a poor choice unless you’re constantly within range of a charging station or electrical outlet, as it only gets 150 miles before requiring a charge.
3. Mini Cooper SE
The 2022 Mini Cooper SE Electric is good at confusing you. It’s tiny on the outside but offers decent head and legroom in the front. The vehicle boasts a fairly affordable base price but offers little value. Many customers report having issues with the traction control system, which, paired with a range of only 114 miles, could leave you wanting and stranded.
To top it off, the Mini Cooper SE Electric only has 181 horsepower and takes almost 7 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph.
4. Porsche Taycan
There’s plenty to love with the 2022 Porsche Taycan. It’s sleek, powerful and responsive. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about 3 seconds. The vast majority of Taycan owners are impressed with the luxurious interior, infotainment system and driver safety and assistance features. The main problem with the Porsche Taycan is that most people can’t afford its hefty price tag.
5. Volkswagen ID.4
The 2022 Volkswagen ID.4’s price tag isn’t outrageous, but the vehicle is plagued with problems and consumer complaints. Aside from being visually unappealing, it has handling problems and a poor infotainment system.
The ID.4 can also lose its appeal when you consider the cost of optional features. The Pro S Plus trim level isn’t worth the extra cash when you can get a vehicle with better performance and similar features for less.
6. Hyundai Kona EV
The 2022 Hyundai Kona EV isn’t as impressive as its less expensive gas-powered counterpart. For a family vehicle, the Kona leaves much to be desired with limited passenger and cargo space. It doesn’t come with all-wheel drive either, which can be a deal-breaker for people who need to deal with snow and ice in the winter.
7. Kia Niro EV
The 2022 Kia Niro EV lacks the value to justify the price. Aside from being able to buy an all-electric vehicle with similar features for much less, mechanical issues could further dissuade you from considering it.
Niro owners have complained that the electric motor isn’t as efficient as advertised and has a high failure rate. The base tires don’t provide good traction, and it can be difficult to see out the rear window. These safety and performance issues need to be addressed before the Niro EV can compete with its rivals.
8. Mercedes-Benz EQS
On the surface, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS is a stylish and capable vehicle with a long range of 350 miles. However, you’ll get sticker shock due to its hefty base MSRP.
With such a hefty price tag, the EQS should be at the forefront of the luxury electric-vehicle market, but Tesla has multiple models with longer ranges and lower costs. You’re better off looking at a Model 3, which costs half as much.
9. BMW iX
The 2022 BMW iX doesn’t do much to prove it’s worth the money. The exterior styling leaves much to be desired, and BMW left out many important features people look for in electric SUVs, such as a front trunk, roof carrier and battery range.
The iX can only go 324 miles between charges, and the more expensive trim only has a 288-mile range. Paying more for less simply doesn’t make sense.
