The electric vehicle industry has come a long way since Tesla first showed the world how to make a compelling consumer EV back in 2012. The company is known for offering cars that carry a hefty price tag—the biggest, baddest Cybertruck, for example, costs $100K. But the company makes cheaper models too. The Tesla Model Y’s $60K price tag helped make it the #1 most-sold car in the world this and last year, narrowly edging out the Toyota Corolla. And then there’s Tesla’s cheapest offering: the Model 3, which starts at around $40K (and that’s before federal incentives chop $7,500 off the price).
If you’re buying an EV in 2025, you may find yourself shopping for a non-Tesla option for a myriad of reasons. Luckily, there are some great alternatives for those wanting to drive emission free. You can even find some cars are priced similarly to Tesla’s most affordable option. If you find yourself in the market for a Model 3 alternative, here are the best options worth cross-shopping:
Photo via Hyundai
Hyundai Ioniq 6
First up is a Tesla Model 3 alternative from a company you already know. Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 is the only option on this list that doesn’t feel like a spaceship when you enter the cockpit (which could be a good or bad thing, depending on your preferences). Still, the Ioniq 6 certainly has some futuristic features. Chief among them is vehicle-to-load—which basically means you can use the car like a giant battery bank. That’s useful if you need to power a laptop on the go, a refrigerator during a power outage, or another EV if your Tesla-owning friends are stranded. And speaking of Tesla, the Hyundai Ioniq recently gained access to the company’s supercharger network, which means 20,000 more places to charge throughout North America. The Ioniq starts at $38K, but if you stretch your budget you can snag the model with 342 miles of range at 100 percent charge and a motor that can go from 0-60 miles per hour in 4.3 seconds—those are damn near Porsche numbers.
Photo via Polestar
Polestar 2
Polestar started off as a Volvo offshoot but recently struck out on its own. Seeking to be environmentally friendly in as many ways possible, Polestar aims to make a “truly climate-neutral car” by 2030, by eliminating greenhouse gases across all phases of a car’s creation. But what about the ride itself, you ask? The Polestar 2 sedan may be pricey, starting at $65K, but it has a hatchback and front trunk, comes with an infotainment system entirely designed by Google, and a four-second 0-60 time that rivals the best of them. The battery can last 254 miles when fully charged, and the car also has support for Tesla’s supercharging network via an adapter.
Photo via Lucid
Lucid Air Pure
Lucid’s most affordable model is the most expensive on this list, but it’s got the performance and trim to match that elevated price tag. This automaker made a name for itself when it made an ex-Tesla chief engineer its CEO back in 2019, shipping its first luxury sedans back in 2021. The $70K price tag may be twice that of Tesla’s cheapest sedan, but the Lucid Air Pure offers lots of room with a spacious trunk and frunk. It also boasts acceleration that will pin you to your seat, taking you from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. Where it truly stands apart from the Model 3 is the driver’s seat: the Lucid offers multiple screens, Apple CarPlay, and high-end options like massaging seats. Lucid’s “budget” option also offers 420 miles of range—the furthest of any car on this list. And, like the others, it’ll have support for Tesla’s network of superchargers.
A pre-owned 2022 Taycan.
Photo via Porsche
Bonus: The Porsche Taycan
Starting at $100K, the Porsche Taycan is way pricier than the Tesla Model 3. But when you include used options, starting at below $60K, it suddenly becomes much more attainable. Porsche’s first all-electric car has that classic, precise handling Porsche enthusiasts know and love. Plus, it has all the other electric vehicle niceties too—a front and rear trunk, around 250 miles of range, and a super-fast 0-60 time (anywhere from 4.5 seconds to as low as 2.1). Then there are the fun Porsche bonuses, like charge ports on both sides of the car and an electrochromic glass roof. Unlike those pesky Tesla all-glass roofs, Porsche’s can go from fully transparent to opaque at the touch of a button. No matter how you drive your Porsche though, the glass is definitely half full.
