Not a Tesla in sight

At this level, anybody following the EV industry is effectively conscious that a variety of Tesla house owners are bailing out. They’re upset about Elon Musk‘s politics and voting with their wallets (if they’ll) by promoting their automobiles and selecting one other model. Some persons are skipping over Tesla solely, as evidenced by falling gross sales in key markets. In April 2025, the corporate’s European gross sales have been down 49% year-over-year, even though the area’s general battery EV gross sales have been up 34.1%, as CNBC stories.

When you’re trying to keep away from Tesla, the number of choices on the market is usually a little intimidating at first. The excellent news is that the EV trade is advancing quickly, so there are many worthwhile fashions to select from — this checklist simply has among the greatest contenders. In a couple of years, Tesla may grow to be an also-ran within the trade it helped kickstart.

1

Chevrolet Equinox EV

Vary for the greenback

Chevrolet

I’ve by no means been an enormous fan of Chevy automobiles. I do not like most vehicles and (full-size) SUVs, and the one rental automobile worse extra disappointing than the Spark I drove was a Chrysler PT Cruiser. It is arduous to disregard the worth proposition of the Equinox EV, nevertheless — for $33,600 earlier than charges, you get an SUV with 319 miles (513 kilometers) of vary. That is surprisingly near Tesla’s Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y whereas costing 1000’s of {dollars} much less. You additionally get an Android-based 17.7-inch touchscreen interface with preloaded apps like Spotify and Google Maps, plus entry to extra software program through the Play Retailer.

Certainly, there are no critical drawbacks to the Equinox until you insist on utilizing CarPlay or Android Auto, each of that are unsupported. You may additionally have to spend further in case you reside someplace with freezing winters — within the base trim, there’s no heating for the steering wheel or entrance seats.

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2

Rivian R1T

The perfect electrical pickup

Rivian

Most of the folks switching away from Tesla have opted for a Rivian, which is sensible, notably in the event that they purchased (or have been contemplating) a Cybertruck. The R1T is arguably one of the best electrical pickup truck in the marketplace, with ample passenger and cargo house, together with a novel “gear tunnel” in case you want greater than the flatbed can present. It is loaded with Tesla-style tech options too, together with a 15.6-inch touchscreen interface constructed off Android. Improve choices embody bigger batteries and tri- and even quad-motor configurations, the latter of which gives 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 pound-feet of torque. With the appropriate trim, the truck can carry 1,764 kilos, or tow 11,000 — simply bear in mind that the heavier you go, the decrease your vary might be.

There are a couple of different drawbacks to the truck. First, whereas the most cost effective trim (Journey) might be one of the best for most individuals, even that prices $71,700 whereas solely offering 258 miles (415 kilometers) of vary. You may have to decide on a $7,000 battery improve to get to 330 miles (531 kilometers), or an much more costly pack to achieve 420 miles (676 kilometers). A totally-equipped Quad-Motor Premium R1T goes to set you again $111,700, at which level you ought to be contemplating whether or not it is actually value dipping into your kid’s faculty training.

Some folks may also resent the absence of CarPlay or Android Auto, although Rivian’s software program could also be adequate to compensate. Do not feel too pressured into signing up for a Join+ subscription — this primarily provides mobile web with an built-in hotspot. You may tether to your telephone in case you’ve bought sufficient information in your plan.

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3

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Wonderful vary in case you’re prepared to pay

Hyundai

I am on report for disliking sedans. If that is your bag, although, the Ioniq 6 is value contemplating, particularly its SE Lengthy Vary trim. That may attain as much as 342 miles (550 kilometers), which compares very effectively with the 363 miles (584 kilometers) of the longest-range Mannequin 3, at a barely decrease $43,995 price ticket (earlier than any tax incentives). It is typically well-equipped on the tech stage, too — as an illustration, supporting each CarPlay and Android Auto — so no ego on Hyundai’s half right here. If you wish to lower your expenses, you may get the $39,045 SE Commonplace Vary, though you may be sacrificing each vary and horsepower.

There’s truly not an excessive amount of else to say in regards to the Ioniq 6. That is a very good factor, because it does what you’d anticipate — it is quiet, drives effectively, and contains all of the driver-assist options you may need in need of true self-driving. The one issues I would name out are that, as a sedan, there’s not a lot cargo house, and even its rear seats haven’t got a lot headroom.

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4

Kia EV9

For big households

Electrify America

The Tesla Mannequin X was a giant deal when it first arrived, being the one three-row electrical SUV on the time. Since then, nevertheless, choices have expanded, and it is arduous to high the Kia EV9 if you wish to be environment friendly. The primary attraction is the value — $56,535 will get you a 230-mile (370-kilometer) trim, and in case you improve to Gentle Lengthy Vary ($61,395), you may get 304 miles (489 kilometers). These ranges do fall beneath the Mannequin X, however even the most cost effective X configuration begins at $86,630. I would quite save $20,000 if all I have to do is haul household and groceries round city.

In any other case, the story is way the identical because the Ioniq 6, within the sense that it is spectacularly unspectacular — it does the whole lot you’d hope for with out a lot fuss. It is a comfy automobile with loads of cargo house. You may decide between six- and seven-seat configurations, the distinction being whether or not the center row has a bench or two captain’s chairs.

Every row has two fast-charging USB ports. And sure, drivers do get help for CarPlay or Android Auto, which venture on a 12.3-inch touchscreen.

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