No one will argue that relating to all-electric vary, it is vitally exhausting to beat Tesla automobiles. For instance, with a variety of as much as 341 miles, the Model 3 is the leader in its segment. But an electric car ought to be about much more than simply vary. It also needs to be about seems, tech options, construct high quality, and inside design – during which case, the Model 3 has a number of room for enchancment. The American EV is at the moment supplied in two trims, with the base Model 3 priced at $38,990 and the Model 3 Long Range priced at $45,990. In latest years, we have seen a shift from ultra-expensive Tesla pricing to decreases in MSRPs, making the EV section all of the extra aggressive.

Tesla did not introduce the Performance trim with the 2024 Highland refresh. Earlier, it made as much as 455 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque, and will dash from 0 to 60 mph in simply 3.1 seconds. It additionally gives a cargo room of 19.8 cubic ft behind the rear seats, whereas the frunk provides one other 3.1 cubic ft. With the rear seats down, the cargo space could be expanded to 43 cubic ft. While these might sound like numbers exhausting to beat, in all actuality, there are a number of electrical automobiles on the market, rather a lot higher, supplied for a similar or significantly much less cash.

Updated on 01 February 2024: This article has been refreshed to replicate the present 2024 EV panorama. We have up to date pricing, launch dates, specs, and added a number of new entries to this checklist. Although Tesla has minimize costs for the Model 3, that is to not say you’ll be able to’t discover a comparable different. Long gone are the times when Tesla was the *solely* electrical choice. Do notice that we’ve got additionally skipped the a lot apparent Tesla Model Y as an alternative choice to guarantee there’s sufficient variety within the checklist.

In order to provide the latest data potential, the info used to finish this text was sourced straight from numerous producer web sites, in addition to authoritative websites, together with Car and Driver, the EPA, and Motor Trend. The fashions are listed by way of their beginning costs, lowest to highest.

1 Nissan Leaf: The Cheapest Alternative To The Model 3

Starting Price: $28,040

Another very cheap alternative to the Tesla Model 3 is the 2023 or 2024 Nissan Leaf – an EV with one of many longest historical past in the marketplace. It is slightly bit dearer than the Chevy Bolt, with costs starting from $28,040 for the bottom trim to $36,040 for the SV mannequin. The 2023 Leaf can both be had with a 110-kW electrical motor that delivers 147 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque or a 160-kW electrical motor that produces 214 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque.

2024 Nissan Leaf Specifications

(Data sourced from Nissan)

Range varies from 149 to 212 miles – well under Model 3’s range, however the Leaf comes with a Quick Charge Port that permits you to recharge the battery to 80 % in about 60 minutes. The Leaf gives slightly bit extra cargo house: 23.6 cubic ft behind its rear seats and as much as 30 cubic ft with these seats folded.

Pros

1. Very low cost
2. Offers numerous customary options
3. Decent inside room

Cons

1. Very poor vary
2. Very low charging velocity
3. Technology is outdated

2 Hyundai Kona Electric: A Value-for-money Crossover

Starting Price: $32,675

When shopping for a compact electrical automobile paying luxurious EV cash won’t be your factor. So, for those who do not feel like spending a fortune on the Model 3, the Kona Electric is a much cheaper option. There are three trims to select from: SE, SEL, and Limited with costs starting from $32,675 to $41,035 – which locations it at like $10,000 below the Model 3. The Kona Electric is powered by one electrical motor that delivers 201 horsepower, whereas a 64.0 kWh battery pack gives a variety of 200-261 miles.

2024 Hyundai Kona Electric Specifications

(Data sourced from Hyundai and Car and Driver)

The Kona Electric additionally has a extra user-friendly inside, with bodily buttons which can be simple to learn and inside attain. It additionally gives much more cargo house: 19.2 cubic ft behind the rear seats and 45.8 cubic ft with the rear seats folded.

Pros

1. Great efficiency figures for the EV6 GT trim
2. Comfortable cabin with numerous customary options
3. Decently priced

Cons

1. Not one of the best inside house
2. Not one of the best vary or charging speeds
3. No AWD

3 Volvo EX30: Compact And Modern

Starting Price: $34,950

Although in a very completely different section than the Model 3, the brand new Volvo EX30 is a good different to Tesla’s sedan. It could be had with both one or two electrical motors, with energy starting from 268 to 422 horsepower, whereas a 64-kWh battery pack ensures a variety of 275 miles. Of course, whereas the vary might not impress you, the most powerful EX30 sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds – which makes it nearly simply as quick because the Model 3 Performance.

2024 Volvo EX30 Specifications

(Data sourced from Volvo)

It additionally advantages from fast-charging capabilities and desires solely 26 minutes to return to 80 %. The compact SUV will even profit from all the most recent security options and applied sciences, together with the brand new technology of Park Pilot Assist options. The cabin will characteristic a really minimalist but elegant design, with a lot of the supplies produced from sustainable supplies. And, one of the best half, compared to the Model 3, the EX30 is considerably cheaper with a beginning worth of $34,950.

Pros

1. Fastest Volvo ever
2. Lots of security options
3. Impressive tech options

Cons

1. The nation mannequin will arrive later
2. Could be crowded on the within
3. Its vary isn’t as aggressive

4 Chevrolet Equinox EV: The Impressive Crossover Alternative

Starting Price: $34,995

While each the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV can be discontinued on the finish of 2023, Chevrolet will change the 2 fashions with two new electrical SUVs. The first one – the Equinox EV – will go on sale later in 2023 at a starting price of about $35,000 for the 1LT trim. There can be 4 extra trims to select from – 2LT, 2RS, 3LT, and 3RS – and costs will go to as a lot as $53,000.

2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV Specifications

(Data sourced from Car and Driver and Chevrolet)

You will get to decide on between each FWD and AWD configurations, and whereas remaining specs are but to be introduced, we do know there can be fashions that can ship as much as 290 horsepower. The Equinox EV will even be a really quick electrical automobile, with a 0 to 60 mph dash time of simply 3.5 seconds. A 65-kWh battery pack gives a complete vary of as much as 300 miles – based mostly on the trim, and all fashions will have the ability to add as much as 70 miles in simply 10 minutes of charging.

Pros

1. Sporty exterior look
2. Affordable electrical SUV
3. Available Super Cruise hands-free driving

Cons

1. Too quickly to inform

5 Volkswagen ID.4: The German Offering

Starting Price: $38,995

If you don’t wish to spend a small fortune however nonetheless want to drive a decent, compact electric vehicle Volkswagen’s ID.4 could possibly be the most effective choices you might have. The ID.4 is Volkswagen’s first EV supplied on the U.S. market, and it ought to be adopted by much more – one in all which being the ID.7 – a model that should be good for 435 miles on a single range. Until that occurs, can nonetheless go for the ID.4: it’s a lot cheaper than the Model 3.

2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Specifications

There are 4 trim ranges with costs starting from $37,495 to $53,745, and it gives much more cargo house: 30.3 cubic ft behind the second row and 64.2 cubic ft with the seats folded. The ID.4 is both supplied with one 201-horsepower electrical motor positioned on the rear axle or two with a mixed output of 295 horsepower. The ID.4 is provided with both a 62kWh or an 82kWh battery pack and has a variety between 209 and 275 miles.

Pros

1. Competitive worth
2. Comfortable, roomy cabin
3. Decent sufficient vary, quick charging

Cons

1. No efficiency trim
2. Not probably the most spectacular look
3. No frunk, not one of the best cargo house both

6 Kia Niro EV: An Underrated Electric Model Worth Having

Starting Price: $39,600

Another good selection as a substitute of a Tesla Model 3 this 12 months is a Kia Niro EV. These retail for a starting MSRP of $39,600 and are modern, trendy, and almost similar to their hybrid and PHEV counterparts. You can count on issues like 253 miles of electrical vary and 201 horsepower. The Niro EV can go 0-60 MPH in 7.1 seconds, so it is not *tremendous* quick, but it surely does the job. You even have ~188 pound-feet of torque and might count on this mannequin to make use of front-wheel drive.

2024 Kia Niro EV Specifications

(Data sourced from Kia)

Also, with the Niro EV, you benefit from the house of the fuel and hybrid variations, boasting 22.8 customary and as much as 63.7 cubic ft with the second row folded down. That is a good characteristic for these transporting massive gadgets, suitcases or dwelling a extra adventurous life-style. If you do not wish to go totally electrical, the Kia Niro PHEV and standard hybrids are also worth a glance.

Pros

• Good pricing and customary options
• A aggressive vary for its section
• A modern, trendy design

Cons

• Doesn’t provide a dual-motor configuration
• You wouldn’t have many trims to select from
• Is not as perky as a few of its different SUV rivals

7 Hyundai Ioniq 5: A True All-rounder In Every Sense

Starting Price: $41,800

Another great alternative to the Model 3 market is the Hyundai Ioniq 5. With a retro look and a really sensible cabin, the Ioniq 5 is arguably your best option when making an attempt to get one thing for Model 3 cash. Hyundai’s EV is obtainable in 4 trims with costs starting from $41,800 to $59,400, and vary going from 220 to 303 miles. The base fashions are powered by one electrical motor delivering 168 horsepower, whereas high variations have a dual-motor setup with 320 horses mixed.

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Specifications

(Data sourced from Hyundai)

The Ioniq 5 additionally advantages from one of many quickest charging capabilities on the market, as it could possibly cost the battery from 10 to 80 % in simply 18 minutes. When it involves cargo room, the Ioniq 5 gives 27.2 cubic ft behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic ft with the seats down. Various pushed critiques discovered the Ioniq 5 a very relaxing drive, with the suspension noticeably softer than the Model 3.

Pros

1. One of the quickest charging instances
2. Decent vary and efficiency figures
3. Funky look, a snug cabin

Cons

1. Not one of the best cargo room
2. The cabin can solely be had in gentle colours
3. Only three trims to select from

8 Hyundai Ioniq 6: A Great Addition To The Hyundai Fleet

Starting Price: $42,450

Priced nearly similar to the Ioniq 5, the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 is another great alternative for the Model 3. It has an attention-grabbing exterior design that can set it other than some other EV in the marketplace, with a drag coefficient of two.1 – making it one of the crucial aerodynamic automobiles in the marketplace. The inside can be modern and trendy, with first rate sufficient house for the rear passengers.

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Specifications

(Data sourced from Hyundai)

It delivers anyplace between 168 and 320 horsepower, however most significantly, in its finest configuration, it gives a variety of as much as 361 miles. However, in all the opposite configurations, the Ioniq 6 gives an honest 270 to 316 miles vary. It additionally has spectacular charging speeds and desires solely 18 minutes to recharge again to 80 % when utilizing a 350-kW charger. The 2024 Ioniq 6 is obtainable in three trims, beginning at $42,450.

Pros

1. Good vary, very quick charging capabilities
2. Comfortable inside, first rate room
3. Very good trip

Cons

1. Small cargo capability
2. Gets costly with higher trims
3. The sloping roofline limits the rear headroom

9 Kia EV6: Bigger Bang For Your Buck

Starting Price: $42,600

Kia’s first devoted electrical automobile isn’t solely one of the crucial profitable fashions in the marketplace but additionally an amazing different to the Tesla Model 3. The EV6 is offered in both RWD and AWD configurations, with power ranging from 167 to 576 horsepower. This makes the EV6 GT much more highly effective than the Model 3 Performance, and with a 0 to 60 mph dash time of three.4 seconds, it’s nearly as quick. The EV6 has a variety between 218 and 310 miles, and costs vary from $42,600 for the bottom EV6 Wind and go as much as $62,975 for the EV6 GT.

2024 Kia EV6 Specifications

(Data sourced from Kia)

It will not be as inexpensive because the Model 3, however you do get much more for the cash. First, you get a automobile with an amazing exterior look, then a extra luxurious, better-equipped inside. Not to say that relating to reliability, the Kia EV6 has a score of 84 out of 100, while the Model 3 of only 58.

Pros

1. Decent vary, quick charging capabilities
2. Impressive specs for the EV6 GT
3. Lots of security and driver-assist options

Cons

1. Not probably the most snug sitting place
2. A bit of bit dearer than the competitors
3. Cargo house below competitors

10 Ford Mustang Mach-E: Kind Of A Pony Car, But Not

Starting Price: $42,995

Many will argue that the Mach-E’s success is due to the Mustang nomenclature in its name. Still, in all actuality, the Mach-E is an amazing electric vehicle, and you need to actually look into it as an amazing different to the Model 3. You will get to decide on between 4 completely different trims: Select, Premium, California Route 1, and GT, with costs starting from $43,495 to $58,995. Depending on the trim you go for, you’re going to get anyplace between 266 and 480 horsepower and a variety between 224 and 312 miles.

2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Specifications

(Data sourced from Ford)

The Mach-E can tow much more than the Model 3 – 3,300 kilos vs. 2,200 kilos – and it additionally gives extra cargo house: 29.7 cubic ft behind the rear seats, which could be elevated to 59.7 cubic ft with the rear seats folded, plus a further 4.7 cubic ft within the frunk.

Pros

1. Very enjoyable to drive
2. Sports car-like efficiency with the GT trim
3. Luxurious cabin with snug seats

Cons

1. Can’t be taken off-road
2. Cold reduces each vary and charging velocity
3. The infotainment system isn’t all the time responsive

11 Polestar 2: An Off-beat, But Good Choice

Starting Price: $49,990

The first Tesla Model 3 different is the Polestar 2. This model comes in two configurations, both a single motor or a twin motor. The single-motor model is rear-wheel drive and boasts 299 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque, whereas the dual-motor fashions will give you 421 horsepower and 546 pound-feet. Your vary sits round 250-276 miles per full cost.

When it involves cargo house, the Polestar 2 gives 14.2 cubic ft of cargo house behind its rear seats and 38.7 cubic ft with these seats folded.

2024 Polestar 2 Specifications

(Data sourced from Polestar and Car and Driver)

The Polestar 2 additionally advantages from a nicer-looking exterior, a extra luxurious, better-equipped inside, and a construct high quality that Is manner superior to all Tesla automobiles. In the phrases of TopGear: “The Polestar offers passengers more leg and headroom and the versatility of a proper hatchback boot.” Your pricing for this mannequin begins at $49,990 and might go as much as $64,400 relying on what you go for. However, on the time of scripting this, Polestar had limited offers running with the price listed as $47,800 for each, the Long Range RWD and AWD trims.

Pros

1. Impressive efficiency for high mannequin
2. Sporty exterior look
3. Elegant cabin with loads of expertise

Cons

1. Can get very costly when you add all of the choices
2. The vary could possibly be higher
3. Not sufficient room within the again

12 BMW i4: Elegant, Sexy, And Powerful

Starting Price: $52,200

The BMW i4 is a prime example of how a luxurious, compact electric sedan should look. In truth, we’re certain BMW constructed it simply to show Tesla a lesson. The i4 is considerably dearer, with the bottom trim priced at ~$52,000 and the extra highly effective i4 M50 at $68,700. Power ranges from 281 to 536 horsepower, whereas the vary for the i4 goes from 256 to 307 miles. The i4 has a cargo house of 10 cubic ft behind the rear seats, however it may be expanded to 45.6 cubic ft with the seats folded down.

2024 BMW i4 Specifications

(Data sourced from BMW and MotorTrend)

There is little doubt that relating to design, each exterior and inside, the i4 takes the win, and plenty of imagine it additionally drives rather a lot higher. According to Car Magazine, the i4 “has better steering feel than the Model 3, keeping you more in touch with what’s going on.”

Pros

1. Competitive vary
2. Decent inside house
3. Sleek, attractive inside and exterior

Cons

1. Could use higher vary in excessive trims
2. Expensive for its measurement
3. Hasn’t seen a serious refresh in a number of years

13 Volvo XC40 Recharge: The Safe Choice

Starting Price: $53,745

For the worth of the Model 3 Performance, you will get the Volvo XC40 Recharge. For $52,450, you’re going to get a compact SUV with extra inside room, a manner better-looking exterior design, and rather a lot safer. The XC40 Recharge comes with twin electric motors and an all-wheel drive system that collectively delivers a mixed 402 horsepower. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in simply 4.7 seconds and gives a variety of as much as 293 miles. You additionally depend on a battery, both 78-82 kWh 396 V lithium-ion, so this SUV packs a punch within the output division.

2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge Specifications

(Data sourced from Volvo and Car and Driver)

This is lower than Model 3 Performance’s 315 miles, however the XC40 Recharge is obtainable with a fast DC charger that takes your battery from 10- to 80-percent cost in simply 37 minutes. The inside is spacious and appears much more luxurious than the one within the Model 3, whereas the cargo room can go as much as 57.5 cubic ft with the rear seats folded.

Pros

1. Decent efficiency figures
2. Lots of tech options
3. Loaded with security options

Cons

1. Not very participating to drive
2. Limited vary
3. Expensive for what you get

14 Chevrolet Blazer EV: Tough Competition For Tesla

Starting Price: $60,215

An thrilling EV launch from Chevy (outdoors of the Equinox EV) is the 2024 Blazer. This mid-size sporty SUV boasts 228 to 308 horsepower, an estimated vary of as much as 324 miles, and 333 pound-feet of torque. This electrical SUV mannequin will are available in 4 trims: 1LT, 2LT, RS, and SS, plus a Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) version. You can count on customary fashions to supply front-wheel drive, whereas SS trims provide AWD. It’s a pleasant mid-range measurement and worth for an electrical SUV from Chevrolet.

2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV Specifications

(Data sourced from Chevrolet and Car and Driver)

It’s additionally price mentioning this SUV is following in Equinox’s footsteps, being the electrical model of an already in style gas-powered nameplate. Chevy has chosen to take that route with its newest EVs, basically swapping out the interior elements, making slight aesthetic changes, and calling it a day.

Pros

• Builds upon the already-successful Blazer
• Offers a pleasant vary for the worth
• Has a modern, spacious design

Cons

15 Volkswagen ID.7: A Full-size EV Alternative

Starting Price: TBA

Set to go on sale in 2024; the ID.7 is one of the few electric sedans that will become a serious threat to the Model 3. It has a modern exterior look and loads of inside house, and it comes outfitted with all the most recent, coolest tech options.

The 2024 ID.7 can be supplied in a number of trims, however the firm did not reveal specs for all of them. We do know that the entry-level mannequin can be powered by a single-motor rear-wheel drive system that produces 282 horsepower and round 402 pound-feet of torque. In this configuration, the ID.7 will dash from 0 to 60 mph in simply 5 seconds, which implies the upper trims can be extra highly effective and sooner.

2025 Volkswagen ID.7 Specifications

(Data sourced from Volkswagen)

The ID.7 might be one of many few electrical sedans that can have extra vary than the Tesla Model 3. The electrical sedan is obtainable in two battery configurations. There’s a 77.0 kWh battery that delivers 382 miles of vary and a way more potent 86.0 kWh battery with as much as 435 miles – each rankings as per the WLTP cycle. There aren’t any official particulars on the costs simply but.

Pros

1. Very good vary
2. Decent inside house
3. Best Volkswagen design is a very long time

Cons

1. No particulars on larger trims