EVs are the next big wave in the automotive industry, and Tesla Motors is the Moby Dick juggernaut that’s dominating the sea of electric cars. Hell, Elon Musk is on target to sell almost a million of its vehicles this year. Those numbers are staggering and pretty much match the units sold by the likes of Volvo, Hyundai, and even Honda. If you thought electric vehicles were niche, all that is going to change drastically within the decade, so you might want to consider getting on board sooner rather than later.
But Teslas evoke a certain elitism among its buyers, and they perpetuate a mindset that elevates the qualities of efficiency, power, and exclusivity above reliability, consistency, customer service, and some seriously bad publicity that includes battery fires and semi-autonomous driving tech-related deaths. Yet, buyers adore their Teslas because the company represents a thumb-your-nose at convention mentality that’s taken the brand to previously unforeseen heights. Elon is a brilliant egomaniac that drives the brand, and Tesla has become an automotive subculture that can’t be stopped. The company also happens to have the most robust charging network in America, something the other brands can’t possibly match. If the radical, edgy Cybertruck ever gets built, Elon’s just going to take over the world.
But what should you buy if you’re in the market for an EV but don’t want a Tesla? Are you stuck with a subpar product that pales comparison when it comes to range, looks, and practicality? We would’ve said that was the case a few years ago. But things have changed quickly. There are more excellent EV choices out there than ever before, and you definitely don’t have to get a Tesla to play hard in the EV game. We’ve selected the best choices for electric vehicles that aren’t from Elon Musk, ones that are for sale now, and some that are just over the horizon. Whatever you choose, rest assured that every one of them will provide efficiency, style, practicality, and a loosening of that fossil fuel chain.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Mach-E is a hit for the blue oval, and it even has a bit of pony/muscle car DNA with styling cues from the Mustang coupe. Underneath, however, is something entirely different with all-electric power to the rear wheels or all four wheels and more than enough range to make the Mach-E a superb daily driver. Depending on trim and configuration, the Mach-E delivers between 266 and 480 horsepower. The top-trim Mach-E GT Performance will even rocket to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. But it’s not all efficiency and power because the interior has ample space for five, an airy and ergonomic layout, and a massive 15.5-inch touchscreen that might just make you forget you’re in a vehicle, let alone an electric car.
Price: $43,895 base MSRP
Range: 230-314 miles
Federal EV Tax Credit: $7,500
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Polestar 2
If you prefer everyone to wonder what you’re driving, then the Polestar 2 is an excellent choice. Polestar used to be the performance arm of Volvo, but now its focus is on EVs. The entry-level Polestar beautifully melds the sedan/hatchback/crossover segments, and manages to look and feel premium with edgy styling and a minimalist but stunning interior. You can choose between single motor, front-wheel drive or dual-motor, all-wheel drive configurations. Power output ranges from 408 to 476 horsepower, and in top trim can rocket to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Up to 270 miles of range on a single charge should be enough for most commuters, and one-pedal driving via a three-stage regenerative braking system makes gridlock less burdensome. Perhaps the best part is the fact that the price has dropped by an astounding $14,000 for the 2022 model year.
Price: $45,900 base MSRP
Range: 233-270 miles
Federal EV Tax Credit: $7,500
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Audi e-tron Sportback
222 miles of all-electric range in the e-tron Sportback luxury crossover might not be able to topple a Tesla Model Y, but it sure as hell looks better. The slick Audi electric car also benefits from standard all-wheel drive, and the 95-kWh battery pack routes power to two electric motors that deliver 402 ponies and 490 hp for up to 8 seconds when dialed into Sport mode. The e-tron Sportback is smooth, quick, and spacious, making it an excellent choice for families who still want a sporty ride. Inside is a twin-screen infotainment system and a big 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster for vivid driving data. The interior also happens to be one of the best electric cars in the EV segment, no matter the price.
Price: $69,100 base MSRP
Range: 222 miles
Federal EV Tax Credit: $7,500
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Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo
As good as the Taycan sedan is, it’s the electric wagon we want. The Taycan 4 Cross Turismo looks angrier, sportier, and eschews the dowdy wagon look with something altogether more ferocious. The athletic stance is undergirded by 375 horses (469 in overboost) and two electric motors that power all four wheels. While the 4 might not be as potent as the Turbo 4S model’s 750 horses, it still provides sports-car-like performance and handling in an EV that can take on kids and cargo like a boss.
Price: $93,700 base MSRP
Range: 215 miles
Federal EV Tax Credit: $7,500
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Lucid Motors Air
Lucid’s first consumer electric car is the much-anticipated Air. The Air is appropriately named based on its expansive glass greenhouse and capacious interior. The fact that it’s a long-range missile of an electric sedan also means that it’s got the Tesla Model S in its crosshairs. Power ranges from a healthy 480 horses in the base trim all the way up to an insane 1,111 in the top Dream Edition Performance. The “airy” cabin boasts a nearly seamless glass roof, an expansive upper touchscreen, and a lower portrait-oriented screen that retracts into the dash. The front trunk is the biggest in the EV world with a huge 10 cubic feet of cargo space.
Price: $78,900 base MSRP
Range: 471-520 miles
Federal EV Tax Credit: $7,500
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Kia EV6
A Kia against a Tesla might seem like an unfair match, but the EV6 looks like it got dressed up to go racing. The rakish wagon/crossover benefits from either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive for excellent driving chops, and it’s both longer and lower than the Mach-E and the Tesla Model Y. Depending on trim, the EV6 churns out between 226 and 321 horses, but if you upgrade to the later-arriving GT, you’ll get 576 horses and a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds. Its onboard charger juices up devices, and the EV6 can tow up to 2,500 pounds. Most impressive, however, is the way the EV6 electric car drives. The sporty handling and linear steering and responsiveness should make for a truly spirited driving experience. The futuristic and handsome cabin gets an expansive twin-screen dash and an architectural floating center console that contributes to the EV6 airy interior. It’s expected to arrive in early 2022, but you can pre-order now.
Price: $45,000 (approx.) base MSRP
Range: 300 miles
Federal EV Tax Credit: $7,500
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Genesis GV60
Genesis is on a serious roll in the premium automotive space, and they’re not stopping with just gas-powered vehicles. The GV60 will sit alongside the upcoming G80 electric sedan, and it’s going to be a contender as a sporty electric crossover. Under its taut curves and sporty stance lies three powertrain options: a single motor rear-wheel drive setup with 225-hp, an all-wheel drive arrangement with dual motors and 314hp, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration with upwards of 429 horses. Expect it to have a sporty/luxurious interior that the brand has infused the rest of its lineup with. The GV60 electric car will sell sometime in 2022 as a 2023 model.
Price: $55,000 (approx.) base MSRP
Range: 280 miles (approx.)
Federal EV Tax Credit: $7,500
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GMC Hummer EV
And you thought the Hummer was dead. GMC is bringing it back in the form of a juggernaut of an electric SUV that’s packed with size and power. The six-figure price tag might seem exorbitant, but what the Hummer electric car delivers is nothing short of shocking. The dual-motor SUV will pump out 1,000 horsepower and get 329 miles of range. GMC claims it will rocket to 60 mph in under three seconds at a weight that crests 9,000 pounds. There’s also a Crab Walk feature that allows it to drive diagonally at low speeds without actually turning. It also comes with GM’s excellent semi-autonomous Super Cruise technology and an optional ride elevation of up to six inches to get over serious obstructions.
Price: $108,700
Federal EV Tax Credit: Not eligible
Range: 329 miles
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