Not a Tesla in sight

At this level, anybody following the EV industry is properly conscious that a number 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 have been down 49% year-over-year, even supposing the area’s total battery EV gross sales have been up 34.1%, as CNBC studies.

For those who’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 record simply has a number of the greatest contenders. In just a few years, Tesla might change into 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 autos. 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 laborious 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 severe drawbacks to the Equinox except you insist on utilizing CarPlay or Android Auto, each of that are unsupported. You may additionally must spend further should 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

The perfect electrical pickup

Rivian

Most 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 perfect electrical pickup truck in the marketplace, with ample passenger and cargo area, together with a novel “gear tunnel” should 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 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 bear in mind that the heavier you go, the decrease your vary can be.

There are just a few different drawbacks to the truck. First, whereas the most affordable trim (Journey) might be the perfect 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 succeed in 420 miles (676 kilometers). A completely-equipped Quad-Motor Premium R1T goes to set you again $111,700, at which level you have to be contemplating whether or not it is actually price dipping into your kid’s faculty training.

Some folks will 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 should you’ve bought sufficient knowledge in your plan.

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3

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Wonderful vary should you’re keen to pay

Hyundai

I am on document for disliking sedans. If that is your bag, although, the Ioniq 6 is price 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 degree, too — as an illustration, supporting each CarPlay and Android Auto — so no ego on Hyundai’s half right here. If you wish to lower your expenses, you will get the $39,045 SE Normal Vary, though you will be sacrificing each vary and horsepower.

There’s really not an excessive amount of else to say concerning the Ioniq 6. That is a very good 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 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 an enormous deal when it first arrived, being the one three-row electrical SUV on the time. Since then, nevertheless, choices have expanded, and it is laborious to high 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 should you improve to Mild Lengthy Vary ($61,395), you will 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 quite 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 all the pieces you’d hope for with out a lot fuss. It is a snug automobile 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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