My friend Katie emailed me the other day with a really common request: I need to get rid of my Tesla; what options do I have?
For Katie, who works in environmental education, an EV is a must. And Elon Musk is making things complicated; her conscience would be relieved to simply trade her Tesla Y for something else. Plus, she’ll have the opportunity to trade for something that better fits her life; she’s outgrown her current car.
But there are plenty of other reasons to trade a Tesla for something else: Many EVs have longer range, more features, clever new options and more passenger space. Tesla’s sparse interiors and plain colors may be getting old. For others it’s just time; after 100,000 miles or so it’s time to trade the Tesla in for a new car.
Luckily, there are dozens—and dozens—of options.
First, the Caveats and Comforts
Buyers who want to replace a Tesla will first have to get over the financial shock of another car brand. Not all qualify for federal tax incentives, though many do. Even those that don’t qualify for federal tax incentives following a purchase can qualify as a lease deal, so look at your financing options if it’s important to you. Just be sure to ask your accountant about this, not the car dealer.
Which leads the next caveat: You may need to buy from a conventional car dealer, and for those who last bought a Tesla, the experience may come as a shock. You can read our car buying tips here, you might want to go the Costco route, or you might be more comfortable with a brand that followed Tesla’s no-dealer dealership structure, which include Lucid and Rivian.
But there are comforts, too: Most EVs now are able to use Tesla Supercharger stations, just be sure you’re using an approved adapter so you don’t void the car’s warranty. And if you’re used to the Tesla app to unlock and drive your car, find a charger or arrange for service, all EVs do that. One last comfort: you’ll find your new tribe quickly. You’ll see plenty of drivers of your chosen brand everywhere, adding even more to the good feeling a new car gives you.
Model 3 Alternatives: VW ID.4, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Chevrolet Equinox EV
The Tesla Model 3 is the company’s base model, but it’s quite the starter EV: with 295 HP and a 363 mile range, it starts at $35K. The auto industry accepted the challenge and there are a lot of great options to the Model 3. They include:
VW ID.4, a 5-passenger SUV with tons of space, great tech and a comfortable drive feel. The ID.4, which is built in the US and will suffer fewer tariffs, has been updated since it was introduced with even more sophisticated features.
Hyundai moved the production of the 5 passenger Ioniq 5 to Georgia this year, making this cute stalwart a great option. Hyundai’s drive experience and charge system are simply fantastic, with true one-pedal driving and fast public charging capability.
Chevrolet may deliver the most competitive model, though, in the Equinox EV. Not only is it priced under $35K, it can be ordered with Super Cruise which, while not a direct competitor to Tesla’s Full Self Driving (Supervised), is probably the best hands-free semi-autonomous driving system on the road. It’s so good that our writer Liv Leigh reviewed it, then bought it.
Model 3 Performance Alts: Kia EV6 GT, Dodge Charger, BMW i4, Cadillac Optiq
The magic of electric power is take-your-breath-away power, and car makers have risen to the challenge. The Tesla Model 3 Performance delivers 510 HP and a 298 mile driving range at a starting price of $47K. But a race is a race; here’s what else is in the running:
Kia EV6 GT: One of the originals and inspiration of the first “That’s a KIA???” exclamations, the Kia EV6 GT delivers not only similar power and passenger space, but a thrill ride: Tap the GT button on the steering wheel and the car suddenly feels like a rocket.
The Dodge Charger Daytona EV gets the award as the most innovative and fun EV on the road, if only for the true HEMI sound that comes from its rear tail pipes: they emit sound, not CO2 and will make everyone around you smile. Add to that the clever, classic design and this car is a total surprise and delight.
The BMW i4, which is pricier, is also more luxe and performance focused, but that’s what BMW does. This is a great car for someone who wants all the BMW tuning and looks but still wants an EV.
The Cadillac Optiq is also a great alternative: it’s the entry-level EV from Cadillac but you’d never know it by driving it, says our Miriam Joire, who asked for another chance to drive it, she liked it so much.
Tesla Model Y Alternatives: Mustang Mach-E, Polestar 3, Nissan Ariya, Chevy Blazer EV
The newly redesigned Tesla Model Y is refreshed and updated, and now has a starting price of $41K with a 327 mile range and delivering 384 HP. Here’s what comes in alongside this sporty SUV.
Mustang Mach-E and all its iterations, from GT to Rally, show how Ford has come to play: it’s fast-charging, has a similar approach to tech with a large center screen, but more creature comforts. Best, it is a delight to drive, truly. I’ve had one in my driveway for a while now and I can’t say enough good things about it.
Polestar 3 is a luxe option featuring more spoilers than you can count. From the great drive experience to the renewable, recycled materials that feel like a chic boutique, to the flexible expansive cargo space, it’s powerful and goes the distance—up to 342 miles.
The Ariya may be Nissan’s most beautiful car ever; it features a reimagined interior, gorgeous details and thoughtful appointments. It’s powerful, fun to drive and easy to charge, and it’s not so tough on the budget.
Last, Chevy hit a home run with the Blazer EV, a slightly larger, more luxe-filled EV with proven performance: it’s the same powertrain found in the Acura ZDX and the Honda Prologue. And this month buyers will be able to get a muscle-car version in the Blazer SS EV. More on that soon.
Tesla Alternatives to the Model X: Volvo, Rivian, Kia EV9 or Jeep Wagoneer S
The Model X has long been the electric 3-row to beat and for good reason: it delivers 670 HP and 329 mile range. It also sets a standard for this type of performance with a price tag of about $85K to start But there are alternatives; they include:
Volvo EX90 is not just one of the best EVs on the road, it’s also one of the most luxurious, just last week winning the World Luxury Car award for 2025. With seating for up to 7, options of captains chairs and a panoramic sunroof and filled with gorgeous renewable and recycled materials, it’s hard to look away from this one.
Rivian took on the challenge with the R1S and is winning the EV off-road race. With a chassis and 4WD system that’s designed to climb mountains and traverse sand dunes, this is a go-anywhere SUV for adventurers.
Modern design and function are found in the Kia EV9, a much-awarded SUV for its “starmap” headlights and tail lights, flexible and comfortable space and fun drive experience. We’re fans, and love that Kia took the helm in the 3-row SUV EV space so early.
The newest entry here is the Jeep Wagoneer S, an AWD dual motor Jeep that delivers all we love about Jeep in a modern package—and it’s quite impressive. As a two-time Jeep owner, I loved the feel of the cabin, the cool features and great drive experience. Coming later this year will be a Trailhawk version designed for off-roading and filled with even more Jeep DNA.
Model X Plaid Competitors: Lucid Gravity, Cadillac Escalade IQ, BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
The Plaid trim is where Tesla gets serious about power and luxury. The Model X Plaid delivers up to 1,020 HP and a 314 mile range, but also a starting price of $100K. And of course, there are competitors.
Lucid Gravity takes the lead here for fast, luxurious and family-focused comfort. The interior of this SUV is incredibly spacious and comfortable, and delivering 829 HP and 450 miles of range, it’s no slowpoke. I just drove it and was quite impressed with everything this car does.
The Cadillac Escalade IQ, a 3-row SUV that delivers up to 750 HP and 469 miles of range, is full-on Cadillac luxury both in the cabin and behind the wheel.
The BMW iX might be considered the party on wheels SUV in this category for its spacious and space-age approach, with opulently finished surfaces, ambient lighting literally everywhere and one of the best driving EVs on the road. I literally put miles back on the battery range on my test drive as I crawled through traffic in LA.
What we love most about the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV—which we also think is the best of the EQS series—is the no holds barred approach the designers and engineers took with this car: the screens, the finishes, the pampering. And, the driving, which is fantastic and delivers than 300 miles of range and up to 649 HP.
Tesla Alternatives to the Model S: Porsche Taycan, BMW i5, Lucid Air
Clearly, Tesla knew what they were doing when they introduced the Model S first: The Model S still holds out as one of the most beautiful cars on the road, and delivering up to 670 HP, 419 miles AWD and a $80K starting price, it’s still an aspirational dream. But, there are contenders than make it pale in comparison.
The Porsche Taycan is the top competitor, and really, if you can get a Porsche and all its driving dynamics and luxuries, you should. It’s a Porsche first, and an electric car second. And it’s incredible.
Like Porsche, BMW’s approach is to build to its DNA and then, allow the electric powertrain to complement it. And that’s exactly what the BMW i5 does so beautifully. It’s the most powerful BMW 5 series and the most luxury-filled, including the luxury of not getting gas.
Lucid is new to this competition, sort of: Many of Lucid’s designers and engineers came from Tesla, so it reasons that the Lucid Air strikes a chord here, but delivers more than the Model S. The Lucid Air re-imagines the technology, improves on the drive experience and tells those stories through the lens of its California and Arizona roots, with interior palettes and Easter eggs inspired by the Golden State.
Model S Plaid Competitors: Lucid Air, Audi RS e-tron GT RS Performance, Porsche Taycan Turbo GT
This is where the baddest, most powerful come to play. The Tesla Model S Plaid was one of the first to deliver super-powered EV performance with 1,020 HP, a 348 mile range and an opening price of $95K. But prices for cars in this category escalate quickly, up to $250K, solidly in supercar range. Here’s what takes the stage:
Lucid Air Sapphire, which plays on the balance and engineering of the Lucid Air but adds 3x the power of the base model (which is ample at 430 HP!) taking it up to 1,234 HP. All that in addition to the luxuries that the Lucid Air delivers.
The Audi RS e-tron GT Performance is a mouthful of a name that I promise, you can’t finish saying before it’s 912 HP whips it by you. It’s that fast. It’s also incredibly luxe, fast-charging and filled with lovely features and options, including leather if you’d like, something that ‘s not an option in the Tesla.
Sharing its powertrain with Audi, the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT is the fastest Porsche on the road, delivering 1,019 HP. But it’s the opportunity to add Manufaktur customization, leather upholstery, sport seats and more make this incredible sports car your own trophy.
Now the only question is, which EV should you—or my friend Katie—pick?
