The Tesla Model Y is a top electric SUV, but it’s not for everyone. Here are some great options to consider instead.
Far more Tesla Model Ys were registered in 2024 than any other electric car – even the Model 3 it’s based on. The Tesla impresses with its long-haul range figures and breathtaking performance, and charging on the move is easy with its clever infotainment system and access to the reliable Supercharger network.
Whether you’re not keen on the touchscreen, disassociated with the brand or simply want something different, these are the best cars like a Tesla Model Y to buy now.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Better than the Tesla Model Y for: handling
Like a classic American muscle car, the Model Y is a point-and-squirt sensation in a straight line. The family-size Mustang, the Mach-E, trades a little bit of the Tesla’s impressive performance for sports car handling (a heavy sports car, admittedly), so it’s a better choice for keen drivers. Probably the Tesla’s closest rival, the Mustang Mach-E hails from the same country and boasts a similar infotainment screen.
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Audi Q4 e-tron
Better than the Tesla Model Y for: user-friendliness
Stepping into a Tesla for the first time is eye-opening. Chances are, the interior of a Model Y is like no car you’ve ever been in, with very little besides a steering wheel and a touchscreen. It might feel very alien to you, in which case try out the Audi Q4. Feeling like any other Audi, the Q4 is a lot more familiar and user-friendly. We love Audi’s digital instrument cluster, and the infotainment system is neatly laid out with easy tiles.
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Hyundai Ioniq 5
Better than the Tesla Model Y for: looks
Maybe you like the Tesla’s melted marshmallow looks, but the Model Y is so common and so familiar that it doesn’t stand out. The bravely styled Ioniq 5 stands out from the crowd with space-age surfacing and impactful detailing – and also impresses with its relaxed interior and fast-charging tech.
Shop used Hyundai Ioniq 5 cars for sale or read our Hyundai Ioniq 5 review
Kia EV6
Better than the Tesla Model Y for: fast charging
Kia’s EV6 and the Ioniq 5 above sit on the same platform, and both can charge at up to 350kW at a suitably powerful public charger. Find one and you’ll be able to top up to 80% in just 18 minutes. It’s one of the few EVs that beats the Model Y’s 210kW ability, and means you’ll be at 80% nine minutes quicker than a Model Y driver plugged into a Supercharger.
Shop used Kia EV6 cars for sale or read our Kia EV6 review
Nissan Ariya
Better than the Tesla Model Y for: comfort
Buy a Tesla and you’ll need to put up with a firm ride. Luckily, there are plenty of EVs that prioritise comfort over sportiness, such as the Mercedes EQC, Renault Scenic E-Tech and Nissan Ariya. We’ve chosen the Ariya here for its futuristic design, svelte shape and its welcoming interior – which includes ‘buttons’ embedded in wood trim and thick pile carpets. Lovely.
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BMW iX
Better than the Tesla Model Y for: luxury
It might look like something a vet would put down, but the BMW iX – the Bavarian brand’s flagship electric car – is incredibly luxurious. State-of-the-art tech meets sublime material choices and build quality. The iX and Model Y wouldn’t ordinarily be rivals, but on the used market there’s not a vast price difference between the two.
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Mercedes EQB
Better than the Tesla Model Y for: seven seats
You can get seven-seat versions of the Model Y, but its sloping roofline means whoever’s unlucky enough to be shoehorned into the back row won’t be very comfortable. If you want a seven-seat electric car, you’re better off going for the Peugeot e-5008 or Mercedes EQB. There’s just enough room for an average-sized adult to get into the back seats of both cars with the middle row slid forward. The EQB is a bit more manoeuvrable and has a high-quality interior.
Shop used Mercedes EQB cars for sale or read our Mercedes EQB review
Peugeot e-3008
Better than the Tesla Model Y for: range
Tesla used to be the class leader for range, but newer rivals are coming for its crown. Peugeot offers its new e-3008 with a whopping 98kWh battery, for a maximum range of 435 miles. Maybe not a game-changing increase over the Tesla’s 373-mile best-case but, nevertheless, more is more.
Shop used Peugeot e-3008 cars for sale or read our Peugeot e-3008 review
Skoda Enyaq
Better than the Tesla Model Y for: value
If you don’t care about the Tesla's awesome performance or range, there are rivals that offer better value for money, such as the Skoda Enyaq. With a smaller battery option than the Tesla and less Instagram appeal, used Enyaq models are typically quite a bit cheaper than used Model Ys. But the Enyaq still offers acres of room, a refined driving experience and a nicely trimmed interior.
Shop used Skoda Enyaq cars for sale or read our Skoda Enyaq review
Porsche Macan
Better than the Tesla Model Y for: performance
Being the benchmark means you’re a target for others. The Tesla Model Y Performance’s official 3.5-second 0-60mph time was clearly the benchmark for the new Porsche Macan EV, because the range-topping Turbo model hits 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds. You want more stats to chew on? How about the Macan’s 630hp, 162mph top speed and two-tonne towing capacity?
Read more about the Porsche Macan EV here
