Something quietly remarkable happened between 2023 and 2026: hundreds of thousands of luxury EVs came off two-year and three-year leases at the same time, flooding the used market with cars that originally cost $80,000 to $150,000.
Pair that with aggressive new EV pricing from manufacturers competing hard on price, and you end up with a situation where a used Mercedes EQS can be had for less than a new Camry.
Premium models that were out of reach for most buyers are now attainable. Mainstream EVs that once hovered at $40,000 are sitting in the mid-$20s. If you have been waiting for the right moment to go electric, this is probably it.
The Luxury Steals
These are cars that were, not long ago, six-figure purchases. They are not anymore.
Mercedes EQS: The Most Depreciated Luxury Car You Can Buy
Original MSRP: ~$105,000 | Used price (2022–23, 3 years old): ~$40,000–$44,000
The EQS is the most extreme depreciation story in the used EV market. A flagship sedan with a 350-mile range, a genuinely stunning interior, and a ride quality that rivals the S-Class it is based on, now selling for roughly 58% off its original price.
That $40,000 does not feel real until you sit inside one. The Hyperscreen dashboard (an uninterrupted 56-inch glass display) was a $9,350 option on a car that new buyers paid over $100,000 for. You can now get the whole thing for the price of a loaded Toyota Camry.
The catch: Mercedes’ dealer network and parts costs remain premium. Budget for higher maintenance than a Japanese EV, and confirm that the battery warranty is still active. Mercedes covers the battery for 10 years or 155,000 miles.
Porsche Taycan: World-Class Performance, Now in Reach
Original MSRP: $90,000–$150,000+ | Used price (2021–23): ~$45,000–$60,000
The Taycan is the best-driving electric car ever made, and it is no longer a six-figure commitment. Three-year-old examples, including Cross Turismo wagons with genuinely useful cargo space, are now trading in the $50,000s. Earlier sedans from 2021 can be found for even less.
Porsche’s 800-volt architecture means 270 kW charging speeds on a Taycan from 2021, faster than most new EVs being sold today. The battery warranty runs 8 years or 100,000 miles. And Porsche dealers, while expensive, are well-established and trained on this hardware. If you want the best driving experience available in a used EV and have around $50,000 to spend, nothing else comes close.
Lucid Air: The Range King You Can Actually Afford
Original MSRP: $69,000–$140,000+ | Used price (2022–23): ~$35,000–$55,000
The Lucid Air Pure, which originally listed around $69,900, can now be found used for the mid-to-high $30,000s. Grand Touring versions that went for $140,000 new are trading hands in the $55,000–$65,000 range. That depreciation is brutal for original owners and extraordinary news for used buyers.
What you are getting: the longest range of any EV ever made (the Air Grand Touring Performance is EPA-certified at 516 miles), genuinely world-class build quality, and a cabin that feels more like a private jet than a car.
The one real risk is Lucid’s future as a company. It is worth verifying that a service center is accessible near you, and getting a pre-purchase inspection from a Lucid-authorized location before signing anything.
BMW iX: A Luxury SUV That Lost Half Its Value
Original MSRP: ~$88,000–$106,000 | Used price (2022–23): ~$42,000–$52,000
Editor note: We own and drive a BMW iX and LOVE it.
The BMW iX was polarizing when it launched, but the underlying car is excellent. The xDrive40 offers 324 miles of range; the M60 hits 0–60 in 3.6 seconds. Either way, you are getting a spacious, well-built luxury SUV with a proper BMW interior, now at roughly half the original asking price. BMW covers the high-voltage battery for 10 years or 100,000 miles.
BMW i4: The Most Underrated Used EV Deal Right Now
Original MSRP: ~$55,000–$74,000 | Used price: ~$22,000–$30,000
If the EQS depreciation surprised you, the i4’s numbers are remarkable for a different reason: it is a legitimately great car that has simply fallen off people’s radar. The i4 eDrive40 delivers 301 miles of range, rear-wheel-drive dynamics, and one of the best-executed EV interiors in the segment. Used examples are now routinely showing up in the low-to-mid $20,000s.
For buyers who want a sporty sedan with real range and solid build quality but cannot stretch to a new Tesla Model 3 or Ioniq 6, a used i4 is one of the best values in the entire EV market right now.
Audi e-tron GT: A Sports Car at a Crossover Price
Original MSRP: ~$105,000–$175,000 (RS e-tron GT) | Used price (2022–23): ~$55,000–$75,000
The e-tron GT shares its platform with the Porsche Taycan, which tells you everything you need to know about its engineering. The 238-mile range will not satisfy everyone, but the way this car drives, accelerates (0–60 in 3.1 seconds on the RS), and looks makes it one of the most compelling buys in this price range. This is a genuinely beautiful car that has been deeply discounted.
Tesla Model S: The Original Flagship, Still Impressive
Original MSRP: $75,000–$130,000 | Used price (2021–23): ~$45,000–$60,000
The Model S is an oddly overlooked used buy in 2026. The interior does not match a Mercedes EQS or Lucid Air for outright luxury feel, but the Plaid powertrain (1,020 hp, 0–60 in 1.99 seconds) remains one of the most extraordinary performance stories in automotive history. The Long Range version offers 405 miles of range. And every Model S gets full access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, still the most reliable fast-charging experience in North America.
The Smart Mainstream Picks
Not everyone needs a luxury EV. These are the everyday choices that make the most sense.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 (2022–23): The Complete Package
Used price: ~$28,000–$36,000
The Ioniq 5 remains one of the most complete EVs ever built: 800-volt architecture, 220 kW peak charging, and a 10–80% charge in about 18 minutes. A few years of depreciation bring it into genuinely accessible territory. Look for 2022–23 models with the 77.4 kWh battery for 266 miles of range. Hyundai covers the battery for 10 years or 100,000 miles, and that warranty transfers to used buyers.
Tesla Model 3 and Model Y (2021–23): Best Charging Infrastructure
Used price (Model 3): ~$22,000–$30,000 | Used price (Model Y): ~$26,000–$36,000
The Supercharger network is still the most reliable fast-charging experience in North America, and that is a legitimate argument for buying Tesla over a car with better specs on paper. A used 2021–23 Model 3 or Model Y gives you that network access, regular over-the-air updates, and a proven track record of battery longevity. At these prices, both represent strong long-term value.
Chevrolet Bolt EV (2022–23): The Value King
Used price: ~$15,000–$20,000
Post-recall Bolts have updated battery packs and 247 miles of EPA range. For a buyer on a tighter budget who wants to go electric with minimal risk, the Bolt is hard to argue with at $15,000 to $20,000. It is not glamorous, but it works, it is cheap to run, and its battery chemistry has proven to be durable over time.
What to Check Before Buying Any Used EV
Battery health is the key variable. For most EVs, you will want to request a battery health report or have a pre-purchase inspection done by a dealer or mobile EV technician. On Tesla, you can check estimated range vs. state of charge through the car’s app. On most other EVs, a compatible OBD reader and apps like Torque Pro or A Better Route Planner can pull battery state-of-health data.
Also worth checking before you sign:
- Whether the original battery warranty is still active and transferable to a new owner
- Charging port compatibility, especially on pre-2022 vehicles from brands that have since switched connectors
- Software update status, since older vehicles on discontinued firmware may be missing useful features
- Any open recalls using the NHTSA VIN lookup tool at nhtsa.gov
The Bottom Line
The used EV market in 2026 is one of the best buyer’s markets in recent automotive history. Six-figure luxury cars are selling at mainstream prices, mainstream EVs are dipping into the teens, and battery technology from 2021 to 2023 is still genuinely competitive with what is being sold new today.
The window is open. It probably will not stay this good forever.