Electric cars used to have a reputation for being sensible and a little slow. That's over. Some of the quickest production cars on sale right now run on batteries, and enough of them have been around for a few years that they're starting to show up used.
How Fast Are EVs Getting?
An electric motor delivers full torque the instant you press the pedal, no waiting for RPM to build like in a gas engine. That's the whole trick behind why even mid-range EVs can embarrass sports cars off the line.
Kia EV6 GT
Top speed: 161 mph
0-60: 3.4 seconds
Horsepower: 641 hp
A five-seat crossover with launch mode, drift mode and simulated gear shifts piped through the speakers. Early GT models are just old enough to start showing up used, well under the original sticker.
Tesla Model S Plaid
Top speed: 200 mph
0-60: 1.99 seconds
Horsepower: 1,020 hp
Tesla stopped taking new orders for the Plaid in April 2026, so every one on the market now is used. It's been around since 2021, and the single-speed setup means there's nothing to interrupt that 2-second sprint.
Tesla Model 3 Performance
Top speed: 163 mph
0-60: 2.9 seconds
Horsepower: 510 hp
This one starts under $60,000 new and drives like an ordinary sedan until you decide otherwise. Its test-track sprint landed right alongside a Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS, a car that costs several times as much.
Tesla Model Y Performance
Top speed: 155 mph
0-60: 3.3 seconds
Horsepower: 510 hp
Same drivetrain thinking as the Model 3, wrapped in an SUV body that fits car seats and a dog. The Model Y is Tesla's best-selling model, so used examples are everywhere and prices stay low.
What These Actually Cost Used
Depreciation on performance EVs has been steep, which works in a buyer's favor. A clean 2021 or 2022 Model S Plaid runs $45,000 to $70,000, down from a starting price of more than $130,000 when new.
The Model 3 Performance has fallen even further, with used prices averaging around $20,000. A 2023 Kia EV6 GT typically sells for $28,000 to $33,000, and a Model Y Performance runs $25,000 to $40,000 depending on year and mileage.
One thing that used to sweeten these deals is gone: the federal used EV tax credit expired for vehicles bought after September 30, 2025. It used to knock up to $4,000 off a qualifying used EV under $25,000, so don't expect it to show up in your paperwork now.
Before you commit to any of these, check two things:
What's left on the battery and drivetrain warranty, since coverage terms vary by brand
The tread depth on all four tires, since performance EVs wear through tires roughly 20 percent faster than gas cars, and a fresh set can run $600 to $1,200
Don't Forget Insurance
Speed costs money after the sale too. A Model 3 Performance runs around $2,500 a year for full coverage, in line with other midsize sedans. A Model S Plaid is a different story: full coverage often lands between $3,300 and $4,700 a year, driven up by repair costs on a six-figure car with over 1,000 horsepower. Get a real quote before you buy; it can shift the math on which car fits your budget.
Does the Speed Fade With Age?
Acceleration, range and charging speed all come from one part: the battery pack. That pack loses a little capacity every year. Most modern packs lose around 1 to 3 percent a year. The steepest drop happens early, then it levels off. A four- or five-year-old EV usually still has 90 percent or more of its original capacity.
Heat speeds up the loss. A Plaid that spent its life in Phoenix will wear faster than the same car from Seattle. Don't trust the dashboard's range guess either, since it shifts with driving habits and how much you run the AC. Ask for a State of Health reading instead. Most dealers can pull one up in a few minutes, and it tells you far more than the range number on the dashboard.
