No one will argue that when it comes to all-electric range it is very hard to beat Tesla cars. For example, with a range of up to 315 miles, the Model 3 is the leader on its segment. But an electric car should be about a lot more than just range. It should also be about looks, tech features, build quality, and interior design – in which case the Model 3 has a lot of room for improvement. The American EV is currently offered in two trims, with the base Model 3 priced at $42,990 and Model 3 Performance priced at $53,990. Depending on the trim, the Model 3 delivers up to 455 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque, and can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. It also offers a cargo room of 19.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, while the frunk adds another 3.1 cubic feet. With the rear seats down, the cargo area can be expanded to 43 cubic feet. While these may sound like numbers hard to beat, in all reality there are a lot of electric cars out there, a lot better, offered for the same, or considerably less money.
10 Polestar 2: The Proper Electric Hatchback
The Polestar 2 is offered in two trims: Single Motor - priced at $48,400 and Dual Motor priced at $51,900. The first one is powered by one electric motor that delivers a total of 231 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. A 78-kWh battery that ensures a range of 270 miles - which makes it just as efficient as the entry-level Model 3. The second trim has two electric motors for a combined 408 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque. If you are willing to pay an extra $1,000 you can increase the output to 476 horsepower and 502 pound-feet. When it comes to cargo space, the Polestar 2 offers 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats and 38.7 cubic feet with these seats folded. The Polestar 2 also benefits from a nicer-looking exterior, a more luxurious, better-equipped interior, and a build quality that Is way superior to all Tesla cars. In the words of TopGear: “The Polestar offers passengers more leg and headroom and the versatility of a proper hatchback boot.”
9 Kia EV6: Bigger Bang For Your Buck
Kia's first dedicated electric vehicle is not only one of the most successful models on the market but also a great alternative for the Tesla Model 3. The EV6 is offered in both RWD and AWD configurations, with power ranging from 225 to 576 horsepower. This makes the EV6 GT a lot more powerful than the Model 3 Performance, and with a 0 to 60 mph sprint time of 3.4 seconds, it is almost as fast. The EV6 has a range between 206 and 310 miles, and prices range from $48,700 for the base EV6 Wind and go up to $61,600 for the EV6 GT. It may not be as affordable as the Model 3, but you do get a lot more for the money. First, you get a car with a great exterior look, then a more luxurious, better-equipped interior. Not to mention that when it comes to reliability, the Kia EV6 has a score of 84 out of 100, while the Model 3 of only 58.
8 Hyundai Ioniq 5: The Old-School Player
Another great alternative to the Model 3 market is the Hyundai Ioniq 5. With a retro look and a very practical cabin, the Ioniq 5 is arguably the best choice when trying to get something for Model 3 money. Hyundai's EV is offered in four trims with prices ranging from $41,450 to $56,500, and range going from 266 to 303 miles. The base models are powered by one electric motor delivering 168 horsepower, while top versions have a dual-motor setup with 320 horses combined. The Ioniq 5 also benefits from one of the fastest charging capabilities out there, as it can charge the battery from 10 to 80% in just 18 minutes. When it comes to cargo room, the Ioniq 5 offers 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the seats down. Various driven reviews found the Ioniq 5 a very relaxing drive, with the suspension noticeably softer than the Model 3.
7 Ford Mustang Mach-E: Kind Of A Pony Car But Not
Many will argue that the Mach-E's success is due to the Mustang nomenclature in its name, but in all reality, the Mach-E is an amazing electric vehicle, and you should really look into it as a great alternative to the Model 3. You will get to choose between four different trims: Select, Premium, California Route 1, and GT, with prices ranging from $45,995 to $63,995. Depending on the trim you opt for, you will get anywhere between 266 and 480 horsepower, and a range between 224 and 312 miles. The Mach-E can tow a lot more than the Model 3 - 3,300 pounds vs. 2,200 pounds - and it also offers more cargo space: 29.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, which can be increased to 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, plus an additional 4.7 cubic feet in the frunk.
6 Hyundai Kona Electric: The Affordable Alternative
When buying a compact electric vehicle paying luxury EV money might not be your thing. So, if you don't feel like spending a fortune on the Model 3, the Kona Electric is a much cheaper option. There are three trims to choose from: SE, SEL, and Limited with prices ranging from $33,550 to $41,550 - which places it at like $10,000 under the Model 3. The Kona Electric is powered by one electric motor that delivers 201 horsepower, while a 64.0 kWh battery pack provides a range of 258 miles. The Kona Electric also has a more user-friendly interior, with physical buttons that are easy to read and within reach. It also offers a lot more cargo space: 19.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
5 Volkswagen ID.4: The German Offering
If you don’t want to spend a small fortune, but still want to drive a decent, compact electric vehicle Volkswagen’s ID.4 could be one of the best options you have. The ID.4 is Volkswagen’s first EV offered on the U.S. market, and it should be followed by a lot more – one of which being the ID.7 – a model that should be good for 435 miles on a single range. Until that happens, can still opt for the ID.4: it is a lot cheaper than the Model 3. There are four trim levels with prices ranging from $37,495 to $53,745 and it offers a lot more cargo space: 30.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The ID.4 is either offered with one 201-horsepower electric motor placed on the rear axle, or two with a combined output of 295 horsepower. The ID.4 is equipped with either a 62kWh or an 82kWh battery pack and has a range between 209 and 275 miles.
4 Chevrolet Bolt EV: The Cheapest EV Worth Having
If you want a compact EV that will not destroy your bank account, then the Chevrolet Bolt EV is the best option for you. With a price starting from $26,500 and its eligiblity for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit, the 2023 Bolt is one of the cheapest options you will get. It is true, the Bolt is not as powerful or efficient as the Model 3, as it is only powered by a single motor that delivers a total of 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. A 65 kWh provides a range of up to 259 miles on a full charge, which is not a lot under Model 3's base 272 miles. Also, with the Bolt, you can add another 100 miles of range in just 30 minutes of charging, so it really makes no sense to pay an extra $16,000 just to get another 13 miles of range. The 2023 Bolt can also carry around a lot more stuff, as its cargo space can be increased to 57 cubic feet with the seats folded. According to The Car Connection, the Chevy Bolt is a "great gateway to the EV world," although it doesn't look as cool as some rivals.
3 Nissan Leaf: Half The Price Of The Model 3
Another very cheap alternative to the Tesla Model 3 is the 2023 Nissan Leaf – an EV with one of the longest history on the market. It is a little bit more expensive than the Chevy Bolt, with prices ranging from $28,040 for the base trim to $36,040 for the SV model. The Leaf is also eligible for $7500 of federal tax credit which could very easily take the final price in the low $20,000 range. The 2023 Leaf can either be had with a 110-kW electric motor that delivers 147 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, or a 160-kW electric motor that produces 214 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Range varies from 149 to 212 miles - well under Model 3's range, but the Leaf comes with a Quick Charge Port that allows you to recharge the battery to 80-percent in about 60 minutes. And you also pay half the price. The Leaf offers a little bit more cargo space: 23.6 cubic feet behind its rear seats and up to 30 cubic feet with these seats folded.
2 Volvo XC40 Recharge: The Safe Choice
For the price of the Model 3 Performance, you can get the Volvo XC40 Recharge. For $53,550 you will get a compact SUV, with more interior room, a way better-looking exterior design, and a lot safer. The XC40 Recharge comes with twin electric motors and all-wheel drive system that together deliver a combined 402 horsepower. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds and offers a range of 223 miles. This is less than Model 3 Performance's 315 miles, but the XC40 Recharge is offered with a rapid DC charger that takes your battery from 10- to 80-percent charge in just 37 minutes. The interior is spacious and looks a lot more luxurious than the one in the Model 3, while cargo room can go up to 57.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
1 BMW i4
The BMW i4 is a prime example of how a luxurious, compact electric sedan should look. In fact, we're sure BMW built it just to teach Tesla a lesson. The i4 is significantly more expensive, with the base trim priced at $52,000 and the more powerful i4 M50 at $68,700. Power ranges from 335 to 536 horsepower, while range for the i4 goes from 270 to 300 miles. The i4 has a cargo space of 10 cubic feet behind the rear seats, but it can be expanded to 45.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. There is no doubt that when it comes to design, both exterior and interior, the i4 takes the win, and many believe it also drives a lot better. According to Car Magazine, the i4 "has better steering feel than the Model 3, keeping you more in touch with what’s going on."