For years, Tesla has been the go-to EV advice for “normals” on the lookout for a painless, low-effort expertise from their first electrical vehicles. In gentle of questionable recollects and its CEO’s current involvement in controversial politics, nevertheless, individuals are beginning to distance themselves from the trailblazing firm.
All that begs the query: what ought to we advocate to EV noobs now?
Regardless of early high quality points and ongoing service complications, the groundbreaking S3XY lineup of EVs have all the time had a secret weapon within the type of the Tesla Supercharger community.
That community of reliable high-speed chargers, paired with stable app integration that makes it straightforward for Tesla drivers to seek out accessible chargers nearly anyplace within the US, gave the model a leg up – however no extra. By opening up the Supercharger community to manufacturers like Ford, Hyundai, Kia, and others, Tesla has given away its largest aggressive benefit.
Add in charging and route-planning apps like Chargeway, that make navigating the transition from CCS to NACS simpler than ever with its intuitive colours and numbers and straightforward on/off change for autos geared up with NACS adapters, and it feels just like the time is correct to start out suggesting alternate options to the outdated EV trade stalwarts. As such, that’s precisely what I’m going to do.
Right here, then, are my picks for one of the best Tesla S3XY (and Cybertruck) alternate options you should purchase.
Much less Mannequin S, extra Lucid Air
Developed by OG Tesla Mannequin S engineers with tunes from Annie Get Your Gun enjoying repeatedly of their heads, the Lucid Air guarantees to be the automotive Tesla ought to and might have constructed, if solely Elon had listened to the engineers.
With panel match, materials end, and total construct high quality that’s no less than nearly as good as the rest within the automotive house, the Lucid Air is a compelling various to the Mannequin S at each worth degree – and I, for one, would take a “too f@#king quick” Lucid Air Sapphire over an “as seen on TV” Mannequin S Plaid any day of the week. And, with Supercharger entry reportedly coming later this quarter, Air consumers could have each benefit the Supercharger Community can present.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Much less Mannequin 3, extra Hyundai IONIQ 6
Hyundai has been completely killing it today, with EVs driving file gross sales and new fashions incomes rave opinions from the automotive press. Even in that firm the IONIQ 6 stands out, with as much as 338 miles of EPA-rated vary and lickety-quick 350 kW charging accessible to make street tripping straightforward – particularly now that the aerodynamically environment friendly IONIQ 6 has Supercharger entry by a NACS adapter (the 2026 “facelift” fashions get a NACS port as normal).
The corporate’s sole electrical sedan hasn’t seen the identical gross sales success as IONIQ 5, after all – however that has extra to do with America’s insatiable lust for crossovers and SUVs than any shortcoming inherent within the IONIQ 6 itself. All the identical, Hyundai helps sellers filter its remaining 2024 and ’25 fashions with 0% financing for as much as 48 months by June 2nd.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Much less Mannequin X, extra Volvo EX90
As soon as upon a time, Mrs. Jo Borrás and I had been procuring three-row SUVs and located ourselves genuinely drawn to the then-new Mannequin X. Again then it was the one three-row EV available on the market, but it surely wasn’t Elon’s antics or entry to charging, and even the Mannequin X’s premium pricing that squirreled the deal. It was the silly doorways.
We went with the equally new Volvo XC90 T8 in denim blue, and adopted up the massive PHEV with a second, three years later, in Osmium Grey. When it’s time to switch this one, you possibly can nearly wager your own home that the brand new 510 hp EX90 with 310 miles of all-electric vary can be close to the highest of the procuring checklist.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Much less Mannequin Y, extra Kia EV6
If half the enjoyable of driving a Mannequin Y is terrifying your passengers with its straight-line pace, then the Kia EV6 needs to be a critical contender for a alternative.
The sporty EV6 GT made its international debut by drag racing among the quickest ICE-powered vehicles of the day, together with a Lamborghini, Mercedes-AMG GT, a Porsche, even a turbocharged Ferrari – and it beat the pants off ’em. Mix supercar-baiting pace with an accessible price ticket, NACS accessibility, $10,000 in buyer money on remaining 2024 fashions ($3,000 on 2025s) and only a trace of Lancia Stratos within the styling, the EV6 is hard to beat.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Much less Cybertruck, extra remedy
It’s not bulletproof, it’s not straightforward to upfit, it shouldn’t be used for towing, and it gained’t win in a straight combat towards a vinyl picket fence. By nearly each normal “truck” metric, the Tesla Cybertruck falls quick towards the competitors from Chevrolet, Ford, and Rivian. On a extra subjective entrance, the Cybertruck has change into an emblem for a conservative motion that’s (relying in your viewpoint) both making America nice once more or plunging a once-great democracy into an period of fascist oligarchy and widespread stupidity.
In brief, it’s in all probability finest to skip the CT.
If you happen to disagree with that assertion and really feel like driving a brand new Tesla Cybertruck is the important thing to happiness, I’m unsure an equally ostentatious GMC Hummer EV or extra refined Rivian R1T will assist you to scratch that individual itch – however possibly remedy would possibly!
HONORABLE MENTIONS
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