Tesla Model Y alternatives: cars you could buy instead of Tesla's top-selling SUV
The Tesla Model Y is a superb family SUV with EV power, but what if you fancy something different? We’ve come up with the best new and used alternative choices.
Tesla has done more than most to bring electric cars into the mainstream for car buyers. The Model Y broadened that mission further by adding an excellent family SUV to the company’s range. Plenty of space, strong performance, and Tesla’s trademark clean-cut cabin style have all helped to make the Model Y a key player.
Much as there is to recommend the Model Y, it’s not flawless. It doesn’t drive with quite the same panache as some competitors, and not everyone loves the huge infotainment screen that dominates the front cabin.
The roomy interior of the Tesla Model Y is what makes it so good for families, yet not all SUV buyers are sold on the looks of this car. You might also want one that offers a greater range, though company users won’t complain about the tax benefits that come via Tesla’s electric power nor its strong performance.
Read on to find out more about five new alternatives to the Tesla Model Y, and five used cars that could also tempt you.
Audi Q4 e-tron
- Prices from £47,700
Audi’s Q4 e-tron, and its fastback Q4 Sportback e-tron sibling, make a strong case for anyone looking at an SUV with electric power. They come with a driving range of more than 300 miles from a full charge, and performance is every bit as muscular as you’d hope from an Audi. Comfort and quality are two more defining traits of this SUV, though it does come with a big price tag and S line models have very firm suspension.
BMW iX3
- Prices from £65,100
If you want an SUV that’s good to drive, BMW is always a great place to start your search. That is proven with the BMW iX3, which prefers rear-wheel drive agility over go-anywhere four-wheel drive. This also helps it deliver plenty of battery range and the ride comfort is much more supple than many in this class. It all makes the iX3 fun where many rivals often miss the mark, plus its simple looks add a stylish edge to its appeal.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Prices from £39,900
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 moved the EV game on when it breezed on to the market in 2021. Bold styling successfully mixed modern and retro, while impressive performance and driving range underlined its appeal. Little wonder we made the Ioniq 5 our Car of the Year when it first arrived. All of that still holds true today, though it’s not without minor niggles such as no rear wiper and a smaller boot than you’d expect for a car of this size. However, the cabin is spacious and quality is top notch.
Skoda Enyaq iV
- Prices from £36,900
You’d be amazed if Skoda hadn’t nailed it when introducing its first pure EV, and the Enyaq SUV doesn’t disappoint. Just different enough to have that all-important Skoda ‘Simply Clever’ design spot on, the Enyaq provides plenty of space for the family, loads of kit and safety equipment, plus it’s better to drive than most of the competition. You can have it as the Enyaq Coupe fastback, but we’ll stick with the full SUV version for its roomy boot.
Volvo EX40
- Prices from £45,900
Volvo has pulled off the tricky balance of becoming a massively desirable brand while not diluting the essence of what made it so attractive in the first place. Models like the Volvo EX40, and the XC Recharge it replaced, are why the Swedes have managed this. The EX40 looks daringly modern yet sturdily Volvo-like, while also being good to drive and very rapid if you opt for the twin motor version. The interior oozes with Volvo’s appreciation for clean design and comfort, though the infotainment system is not the sharpest in this class.
Used Tesla Model Y alternatives
After the Model 3, the Tesla Model Y is the company’s most popular model, and this is reflected in a good selection of them on the used car market. You can find a three-year old example with higher miles for £25,000, or a low-mileage one from around £28,500. That can go up if you want a Model Y with the twin motor set-up, but we’d search out a Long Range version to make life easier. Or, you could pick from one of these used alternatives…
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Ford might have been a little later to the electric SUV party than it’s used to with its models, but the Mustang Mach-E pitched up as a serious rival to the best in class. Just as we’d expect of a Ford, the Mustang Mach-E was a sure-fire driver’s car, and the rapid GT model makes the most of that. Stick with the less punchy versions and you get decent driving range, comfort, and lots of room for all in the cabin.
Jaguar I-Pace
Jaguar’s much-touted all-electric future can trace its start back to this car, the I-Pace. Dating back to 2018, it may be a little longer in the tooth and claw than most rivals, but it’s still one of our favourites. Handsome, with a good dose of Jag attitude, the I-Pace is sharp to drive, rides smoothly, and feels suitably classy whether you’re in the front or back seats. The only real tell-tales to the design’s age are slower charging times than some rivals and less driving range.
Kia EV6
Range anxiety? What’s that when you’re driving a Kia EV6. The all-electric, Korean family car was one of the EVs to stub out any questions over range or charging speeds. It can easily turn in 300-mile drives and top up its battery speedily before the next trip. When you’re driving the EV6, you’ll find it’s precise and capable, comfortable and spacious. All that, and a pre-facelift used model still looks a million dollars.
Lexus RZ
Few companies do premium as well as Lexus, which makes the Lexus RZ a sound bet for anyone looking for an electric SUV with a touch of class. Every time you open the door, sit in the Lexus or press a button you’ll appreciate that extra quality feel. It’s also echoed in the superb refinement of the RZ and its comfort at all speeds, though its driving range is not as generous as some. Nor is it the fastest to recharge, but you do get plenty of standard equipment for the money.
Volkswagen ID.4
Volkswagen’s second model from its ID range provides more space for passengers and luggage, excellent comfort, and the sort of battery range that makes it a doddle to live with. That all might sound a little dull and practical, but that’s what lots of drivers want and what the ID.4 delivers along with plenty of safety and on-board tech. We also reckon it’s one of the more handsome SUVs in this sector.
Looking to buy an EV? Check out our list of the best electric cars...
