Used EVs Outpace Gas Cars in Sales Speed, Yet Tesla Lags Behind

Used EVs Sell Faster Than Gas‑Powered Cars

Analysis of more than 1.5 million vehicles that are one to five years old shows a clear shift in the used‑car market. The average used electric vehicle (EV) now spends 41.9 days on the market before selling, down from 46.6 days a year earlier. In contrast, the average used gasoline car took 45.7 days to sell a year ago and has slowed to 54.8 days.

During the same period, used EV prices rose 9.8% to an average of $32,533, putting them $579 above the average price of a used gas car. iSeeCars links the faster turnover to higher fuel costs, noting that regular gasoline averaged $4.33 per gallon in September, the highest September average on record according to AAA.

Top Fast‑Selling Used EVs Are Not Teslas

The fastest‑selling used EV is the Audi Q4 Sportback e‑tron, which typically finds a buyer in 29.8 days, ranking third among all used vehicles. Following it are the Toyota bZ4X at 33.3 days, the Lexus RZ 300e at 34.3 days, the Honda Prologue at 35.0 days, and the standard Audi Q4 e‑tron at 35.8 days. The Kia EV6, BMW i4 and Chevrolet Equinox EV each average 36.7 days, sharing the tenth spot.

Despite Tesla’s strong brand presence, none of its models appear in the top ten fastest‑selling used EVs. The study does not disclose the exact days‑on‑market for Tesla models, only that they are absent from the EV top‑ten list.

Price Gains Favor Tesla, Yet Sales Speed Favors Others

While Teslas are not the quickest to sell, they have experienced the steepest price increases. The Model S rose 22.5% to $57,862, the Model X climbed 18.0% to $61,309, and the Model 3 increased 15.4% to $28,931. These three models rank among the five used cars with the biggest annual price jumps.

Buyers paying more for used Teslas face a market where other brands move faster. Toyota, Audi and Honda models are selling in under a month, whereas Teslas remain on the market longer despite rising values.

Segment Trends: Crossovers vs. Large SUVs and Pickups

When the data are grouped by body style and size, compact and midsize crossovers dominate the fastest‑selling list. All mainstream compact and midsize crossovers appear among the quickest sellers, while large SUVs and full‑size pickups sit among the slowest.

Fastest sellers (days on market): Toyota bZ4X (33.3), Honda Prologue (35.0), Kia EV6 (36.7), Chevrolet Equinox EV (36.7)

Luxury compact crossovers: Audi Q4 Sportback e‑tron (29.8), Lexus RZ 300e (34.3), Audi Q4 e‑tron (35.8)

Luxury compact crossovers that sell slowly: Cadillac Optiq (61.6), Porsche Macan (62.6)

Luxury midsize SUVs: BMW iX (36.2)

Luxury cars: Polestar 2 (35.5), BMW i4 (36.7), Mercedes‑Benz EQE (77.2)

Large SUVs: GMC Hummer EV SUV (78.9), Volvo EX90 (80.2), Cadillac Escalade IQ (128.7)

Full‑size pickups: GMC Hummer EV Pickup (76.6), Chevrolet Silverado EV (89.1), GMC Sierra EV (93.2)

Even within the same segment, performance varies. For example, a used Chevrolet Equinox EV sells in 36.7 days, while a used Chevrolet Silverado EV takes 89.1 days—nearly three times longer. Six of the ten slowest‑selling EVs are from GM.

What This Means for Used‑EV Shoppers

If you are looking for a compact or midsize electric crossover, expect strong competition. Models such as the Equinox EV, bZ4X, Prologue, EV6 or Q4 e‑tron typically sell in about a month, and with prices up 9.8% over the past year, waiting for a price drop may not be effective.

For those interested in electric pickups or large SUVs, the market moves more slowly. A used Silverado EV, Sierra EV or Escalade IQ stays listed for roughly three to four months, giving buyers more time to compare options.

Fans of Tesla should be aware that while the Model 3’s average price of $28,931 remains below the overall used‑EV average, it is still 15.4% higher than a year ago, and the Model S and Model X have risen even more sharply. In the race for quick sales, however, Toyota, Audi and Honda are currently outpacing Tesla.