Not a Tesla in sight

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

If you happen to’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 business 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 might turn out to be an also-ran within the business 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 automotive worse extra disappointing than the Spark I drove was a Chrysler PT Cruiser. It is exhausting 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 by way of the Play Retailer.

Certainly, there are not any critical drawbacks to the Equinox except you insist on utilizing CarPlay or Android Auto, each of that are unsupported. You may additionally must spend additional if you happen to reside someplace with freezing winters — within the base trim, there is no heating for the steering wheel or entrance seats.

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2

Rivian R1T

The most effective electrical pickup

Rivian

Lots of the folks switching away from Tesla have opted for a Rivian, which is smart, notably in the event that they purchased (or had been contemplating) a Cybertruck. The R1T is arguably one of the best electrical pickup truck available on the market, with ample passenger and cargo area, together with a novel “gear tunnel” if you happen to 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 embrace bigger batteries and tri- and even quad-motor configurations, the latter of which offers 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 remember that the heavier you go, the decrease your vary shall be.

There are a couple of different drawbacks to the truck. First, whereas the most affordable 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 need to be contemplating whether or not it is actually value dipping into your kid’s school training.

Some folks may even resent the absence of CarPlay or Android Auto, although Rivian’s software program could also be ok 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’ll be able to tether to your telephone if you happen to’ve bought sufficient knowledge in your plan.

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3

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Glorious vary if you happen to’re prepared to pay

Hyundai

I am on document 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 properly 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 usually well-equipped on the tech stage, too — as an example, 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 Normal Vary, though you may be sacrificing each vary and horsepower.

There’s truly not an excessive amount of else to say concerning the Ioniq 6. That is an excellent factor, because it does what you’d anticipate — it is quiet, drives properly, 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 area, 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 exhausting 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 if you happen to improve to Mild Lengthy Vary ($61,395), you may get 304 miles (489 kilometers). These ranges do fall beneath the Mannequin X, however even the most affordable X configuration begins at $86,630. I would relatively save $20,000 if all I must do is haul household and groceries round city.

In any other case, the story is far 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 snug car with loads of cargo area. You’ll be able to 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 assist for CarPlay or Android Auto, which undertaking on a 12.3-inch touchscreen.

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