Top 10 Tesla Model Y alternatives

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.

BYD Sealion 7

Better than the Tesla Model Y for: warranty

The fact that BYD is one of the world's biggest carmakers should give you plenty of peace of mind. In the UK, every BYD also comes with a six-year/ 93,750-mile warranty, which is a bit more generous than Tesla's four-year/60,000-mile period of cover. The BYD Sealion 7 features a premium interior that's just as tech-focused as the Model Y, but without such a minimalist look. And while the Model Y is quite sporty, the Sealion 7 aims to relax you.

Shop used BYD cars for sale or read our BYD Sealion 7 review

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.

Shop used Audi Q4 cars for sale or read our Audi Q4 review

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

XPeng G6

Better than the Tesla Model Y for: fast charging

The XPeng G6 is currently the fastest-charging electric car you can buy. In fact, the maximum rate of 451kW on big-battery versions is more powerful than any public charger in the UK. Smaller-battery G6 models still offer 382kW, meaning any G6 can take as little as 12 minutes to top up from 10-80%. That's not a lot of time to enjoy the G6's sleep and meditation modes.

Read our XPeng G6 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.

Shop used Nissan Ariya cars for sale or read our Nissan Ariya review

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.

Shop used BMW iX cars for sale or read our BMW iX review

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