Not a Tesla in sight

At this level, anybody following the EV industry is properly conscious that a whole lot 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 vehicles 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 have been down 49% year-over-year, even if the area’s general battery EV gross sales have been up 34.1%, as CNBC experiences.

If you happen to’re seeking 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 listing simply has among the greatest contenders. In a number of years, Tesla might turn into 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 automotive 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, nonetheless — 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 not any severe drawbacks to the Equinox except you insist on utilizing CarPlay or Android Auto, each of that are unsupported. You may additionally have to spend further in the event 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

One of the best electrical pickup

Rivian

Lots of the folks switching away from Tesla have opted for a Rivian, which is sensible, significantly in the event that they purchased (or have been contemplating) a Cybertruck. The R1T is arguably the most effective electrical pickup truck available on the market, with ample passenger and cargo area, together with a singular “gear tunnel” in the event 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 best 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 can be.

There are a number of different drawbacks to the truck. First, whereas the most affordable trim (Journey) might be the most effective for most individuals, even that prices $71,700 whereas solely offering 258 miles (415 kilometers) of vary. You will 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 school schooling.

Some folks can even 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’ll be able to tether to your telephone in the event you’ve obtained sufficient information in your plan.

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3

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Wonderful vary in the event you’re prepared to pay

Hyundai

I am on file 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 typically well-equipped on the tech stage, too — for 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 Commonplace 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 a superb factor, because it does what you’d anticipate — it is quiet, drives properly, and consists of all of the driver-assist options you possibly can need in need of true self-driving. The one issues I might 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 giant 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, nonetheless, choices have expanded, and it is arduous to prime the Kia EV9 if you wish to be environment friendly. The principle attraction is the value — $56,535 will get you a 230-mile (370-kilometer) trim, and in the event you 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 might 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 every thing you’d hope for with out a lot fuss. It is a comfy car with loads of cargo area. You’ll be able to choose 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 venture on a 12.3-inch touchscreen.

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