The electric car buying guide for someone fed up with Tesla’s Elon Musk

You’re not alone: ​​The billionaire’s actions have already led some to publicly declare (on Twitter, of course) that they will never buy his electric car. A poll of Twitter users showed a majority wanted him to step down as the social network’s chief executive.

Tesla remains the world’s leading electric car maker, but China’s BYD is catching up. Tesla made an early leap in the industry in 2012 with the introduction of its first car from the ground up, the Model S, which forced the public to rethink electric vehicles with sleek looks, snappy performance and higher-end finishes .

But recent strong performances by established brands, along with hyped debuts by other startups, are taking a bigger slice of the growing EV market.

Loyalty among Telsa owners, who are known for their loyalty to the company’s leaders and its brand, has declined in recent months, according to market research brand HundredX.

Are you still curious about electric vehicles and considering switching to one? Maybe you respect Musk, but are interested in other products on the market. Or maybe you don’t have strong feelings for Musk — but you don’t like Tesla and would like to find something that better suits your personal needs.

Here, we break down each model in Tesla’s lineup, and what alternatives are out there.

Replaces: Model 3

This is the entry-level Tesla sedan. The Long Range dual-motor model starts at $57,990 and has a range of 358 miles, but it’s not currently available to order. The real-wheel-drive Model 3 starts at $46,990, has an estimated range of 272 miles, and does 0-60 in just 5.8 seconds. The more powerful dual-motor Performance model has significantly more range at 315 miles, 0-60 in just 3.1 seconds, and starts at $62,990.

Try: BMW i4, Polestar 2 or Kia EV6

BMW has entered the world of luxury EVs with the stunning i4. Our review noted its tight steering, responsive suspension, powerful motor, and the high-quality interior that BMW is known for. The rear-wheel-drive i4 eDrive40 has a range of 300 miles and starts at $55,900. The i4 M50 goes from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds, has a range of 245 miles, and starts at $67,300. “It’s impossible to replicate more than a century of German manufacturing in a few years; the fitting and finishing of interior cabins for electric cars from Audi, Porsche and now BMW is one way it shows,” says our review of the i4 .

Meanwhile, the Polestar 2 has better looks and build quality than the Tesla, with comparable performance and 270 miles of range. The dual-motor starts at $53,300. Kia’s EV6 crossover starts at $48,500, has 310 miles of range and about twice the cargo space of a Tesla sedan.

Replaces: Model Y

While it doesn’t exactly look like a station wagon, the Model Y serves that role in the fleet. It’s like a scaled-down Model X, but it still has more cargo space than a sedan — or, it can be configured to seat seven. The Model Y Long Range starts at $65,990 with a range of 330 miles and a 0-60 time of 4.8 seconds.

Try: Audi Q4 e-tron or BMW iX

Starting at $49,800, the Audi Q4 e-Tron Premium has a range of 265 miles and a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds. Its interior and build quality are on par with BMW and better than Tesla. The BMW iX, meanwhile, starts at $83,200, has a range of more than 300 miles and a 0-62 mph time of 4.6 seconds. Our review called it unattractive and a bit dull to drive, but said it had the high quality you’d expect from a BMW.

Replaces: Model X

Tesla’s closest thing to an SUV is the Model X, which starts at $120,990 and has a range of 333 miles and a 0-60 time of just 2.5 seconds.

Try: Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

This Porsche wagon really drives like a Porsche. Its acceleration is silky smooth and flawless, the drive engages instantly, and it delivers thrilling performance at any speed. It only has about 235 miles of range and starts at $97,700, but it packs some excellent off-road power and offers a very enjoyable way to bring your groceries home.

Replaces: Model S

This limousine from Tesla is fast, especially if you buy the extra power-boost model, which can hit 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. The dual-motor model starts at $104,990, has a range of 405 miles, and goes from 0 to 60 in just 3.1 seconds.

Try: Mercedes EQS or Audi e-tron GT

For $104,400, you can get the most technologically advanced car Mercedes-Benz has ever offered to the public. The EQS can take tight turns and has an incredible range of 485 miles. There are also luxury features such as Burmester 3D surround sound. The spacious, handsome interior, HEPA air filter and rapidly heated and massaging front seats make the interior feel like a wellness spa. Complaints include the car’s look – reminiscent of a diamond shape – and the lack of drag brakes when pushing a cart.

First published date: Dec 20, 2022 at 09:17 AM CST