The 10 safest EVs you can actually afford in 2025

Top 10 EVs: Least crash-prone and most affordable Photo credit: Yarrrrrbright / Shutterstock.com A new study from Bruning Legal ranks electric vehicles by their crash rate and price, offering a data-driven look at which EVs provide the best value for safety-conscious shoppers. What this study measures Photo credit: Shutterstock.com The rankings are based on two key factors: the number of crashes per 10,000 vehicles and the vehicle’s starting MSRP. How the rankings were calculated Photo credit: Shutterstock.com Crash and cost data were normalized, each given equal weight (50/50), and combined into a single composite score for each EV model. Hyundai Kona Electric Photo credit: Hyundai Scoring 82.09, the Kona Electric ranked first. It combines a low crash rate with a competitive price, making it the study’s safest and most affordable overall pick. Chevrolet Bolt EV Photo credit: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock.com With a score of 81.59, the Bolt EV places second. Its strong affordability and favorable safety data place it near the top of the rankings. Ford Mustang Mach-E Photo credit: Ford Earning a score of 80.52, the Mach-E balances wide appeal, solid safety performance, and pricing that keeps it within reach for many buyers. Nissan Leaf Photo credit: Nissan One of the longest-running EVs in the market, the Leaf scored 76.85. Its low starting price and solid crash record help it secure fourth place. Volkswagen ID.4 Photo credit: Volkswagen The ID.4 earns a score of 76.13, just behind the Leaf. Its balanced safety performance and accessible pricing helped it climb to fifth in the rankings. Tesla Model Y Photo credit: Tesla The Model Y scored 75.58, placing sixth. While not the cheapest in its class, its safety metrics helped it earn a high composite score. Audi e-tron Photo credit: VanderWolf Images / Shutterstock.com Audi’s all-electric SUV scored 74.55. Though premium-priced, its strong crash data helped it outperform many other vehicles in its segment. Tesla Model 3 Photo credit: Tesla Scoring 73.83, the Model 3 ranked eighth. Its affordability among Tesla models and solid crash performance placed it in the top ten. Kia Niro Photo credit: Kia The Niro EV earned a composite score of 44.15. It’s among the more affordable options but showed a greater drop in crash performance compared to others ranked higher. Hyundai Ioniq Photo credit: emirhankaramuk / Shutterstock.com Rounding out the top ten with a score of 28.99, the Hyundai Ioniq’s affordability helped it stay on the list, though its safety data pulled the score lower. What this means for EV buyers Photo credit: Shutterstock.com Description: The study offers a reference point for shoppers seeking a balance between cost and crash safety. While it does not cover features or range, it highlights real-world safety value in the EV segment.