4 judgment-free, 300+ mile alternatives to the Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y. Last year, Tesla’s entry-level EV SUV didn’t just outsell every other EV in the country; it dominated them. But now, driving a Tesla isn’t the status symbol it once was, and prospective EV buyers are left looking for alternatives. Fret not; these five EV crossover alternatives offer much of the Model Y’s appeal without the brand damage.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and other EV crossovers are solid alternatives to the best-selling Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y got a new look inside and out this year with the “Juniper” update. But the updated aesthetics and tech don’t conceal drivers from the EV marque’s wounded public image, thanks in large part to Tesla’s controversial CEO, Elon Musk. For those seeking an alternative, legacy automakers like Kia, Ford, and Chevrolet have competitive options.
- Hyundai IONIQ 5
Hyundai stepped into the EV game with both feet, and the cyberpunk-esque IONIQ 5 is at the core of its efforts. With the larger, 84-kWh battery pack, the IONIQ 5’s 318-mile single-charge range isn’t far off from Tesla’s 320-mile Juniper Model Y Launch Edition. Better yet, with a NACS charger, the Hyundai crossover EV can add around 68 miles of range in just five minutes. Make no mention of the properly unhinged IONIQ 5 N.
- Kia EV6
Don’t like the Hyundai badge on the IONIQ 5? Well, the Kia EV6 can scratch a lot of the same itches. There’s a reason for that. The EV6 shares Hyundai’s E-GMP platform with the IONIQ 5, including an 84-kWh battery pack. Moreover, the RWD variants offer 319 miles of single-charge range, just one more than its Hyundai sibling and striking distance from the Tesla Model Y. And as far as fast-charging goes, Kia says the EV6 will replenish from 10% to 80% available capacity in less than 18 minutes.
- Ford Mustang Mach-E
Granted, the Ford Mustang Mach-E gets a hard time for its name. No, not the nonsensical “Mach-E” part. It’s the “Mustang” of it all. It’s a shame, too, because the Mach-E is a solid Tesla Model Y alternative. Ford says the upper-range Mach-E will cover around 320 miles on a single charge. That’s on par with much of the segment’s best. And for performance fans looking to tap into the Mustang pedigree, the Mach-E Rally can scoot to 60 mph in the low three-second range.
- Chevrolet Equinox EV
Chevrolet killed off the Bolt and Bolt EUV. But the brand’s Equinox EV promises to step in as the most affordable domestic legacy EV on the market. The entry-level Equinox EV LT starts at around $34,995, before the $7,500 federal tax credit. That’s around $3,000 less than a comparable Model Y after the Tesla gets the same tax credit. Better yet, GM says the single-motor variant will cover around 319 miles on a single charge. That said, adding AWD drops the figure to 285.
