Tesla Model Y: Top Alternatives for 2023/2023
Rich Taber has nearly three decades of professional writing experience including eight years as an automotive columnist for The Standard-Times newspaper, seven years on staff at WheelsTV as a scriptwriter, production manager, and editorial vice-president, and five years as CEO of RPM News Weekly. He has written extensively for numerous regional and local publications and developed public relations products for many non-profit organizations. Having studied both engineering and liberal arts at the University of Notre Dame and worked in audio/visual services, electronic sales, graphic design, and event and entertainment production, he brings a well-balanced skill set to his automotive writing.
The mid-size Tesla Model Y SUV is the best-selling electric vehicle by a long shot, commanding 33 percent of the EV market. For now, the 2023 model carries over, but expect updates to roll out through the year in typical Tesla fashion.
The Model Y’s closest non-Tesla competitor is the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Meanwhile, new arrivals are coming on strong, especially the Kia EV6 and Hyundai IONIQ 5 cousins, which together are showing more sales than the Mach-E.
[Editor Note: Check out our IONIQ 5 / EV6 comparison]
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Tesla Model Y Weaknesses
The Takeaway: Braced by the introduction of a slew of new models across the gamut, 2022 was a watershed year for EV sales, showing a better than 70 percent increase over the previous year. Throughout, Tesla has maintained its lead role and demonstrated with the Model Y that emissions-free, long-range driving is not exclusive to a six-figure luxury car marketplace.
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What stands out most with the Model Y are its power, efficiency, and extensive driving range. Coupled with Tesla’s single-handed effort to provide charging station accessibility (even if it’s just for their models), the Model Y has surged into the public consciousness.
Curiously, having a fastidiously Spartan interior has not slowed its sales momentum. Nor has its determination to incorporate nearly every user-accessible function into the over-sized touchscreen interface that dominates the center of the dashboard. Minimalism is its calling card.
For a mid-size SUV with a hatchback profile, five seats should be enough. Consequently, it seems like a bit of overreach that a third row of seats is available as a Model Y option. There’s just no way most adults would venture into its third row with a mere 26.5 inches of legroom and 34.6 inches of headroom. Even so, for some families with small children, the extra seats will be fine, though it might payoff to explore the Mercedes EQB as an alternative or move up to a larger class EV SUV.
Despite its multitude of advanced technology systems, including autopilot and its 5-Star overall safety rating from NHTSA, the Model Y has been plagued by consumer issues resulting in below-average reliability rankings. Most of the problems are fixable but still a matter of concern. Also, it’s ironic that such a tech-laden vehicle has not yet found a way to incorporate Apple CarPlay or Android Auto into its features set. Recently, to address this glowing omission, Tesla has rebuilt their audio player, at least making it capable of Apple Music integration.
Tesla Model Y vs. Competitors
| 2023 Specifications | Tesla Model Y | Kia EV6 | Ford Mustang Mach E | Mercedes-Benz EQB | VW ID.4 |
| Max. Int. Cargo Volume | (5 seat models) | ||||
| Max. Range | AWD | RWD / AWD | RWD / AWD | FWD / AWD | RWD / AWD |
| Net HP | AWD | RWD / AWD | RWD / AWD | FWD / AWD | RWD / AWD |
| MPGe Fuel Economy Combined City-Hwy. | 109 - 79 AWD | 98 - 82 AWD | 96 AWD | 99 AWD |
|
| Rapid Charge Time Level III | 10 to 80% | 10% to 80% | 10% to 80% | 10% to 80% | 10% to 80% |
| Apprx. Price w/o Options |
1. Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 rides on the Hyundai E-GMP platform that was specifically developed for electric vehicles. As such, it has a lot in common with the Hyundai IONIQ 5 SUV. Both compare well with the Tesla Model Y, but with the EV6’s new 576-horsepower GT trim, the Kia is a better matchup from a high-performance perspective.
Granted, there is no third-row option, but there’s plenty to keep it competitive. Stylistically, the EV6 presents a contemporary sporty vibe with its low-slung roofline, flush door handles, and gloss black exterior highlights. Inside, sprawling dual 12.3-inch panoramic displays, a rotary shift dial, and vegan leather seat trim cinch the intended effect.
Competitive features include heated and ventilated seats, an 8-way power driver and passenger seats, a premium 14-speaker Meridian sound system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration – all standard. Then there are the cutting-edge safety and driver assist systems, including forward collision-avoidance assist with junction turning detection, and navigation-based smart cruise control that couples with highway assist to compare with Tesla’s ballyhooed AutoPilot.
All of this would be window dressing if not for the EV6 having gotten the range and efficiency up to meet the competition. True, the goalposts keep shifting when it comes to range, but the EV6 being able to achieve 310 miles should satisfy those who have contended that range anxiety keeps them away from an EV purchase. Opting for AWD will drop that number a bit, but mindful driving to maximize range can win it all back.
On the other hand, if all-out horsepower is what one seeks, the performance EV6 GT will bring you more than enough horsepower and torque to distance the Model Y off the line, but range will be significantly sacrificed.
The Takeaway: Want an electric vehicle that’s efficient, quick, well-equipped and with plenty of range, but not willing to spend over $60,000 for it? Then the Kia EV6 deserves your attention.
Current Kia EV6 Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Kia | EV6 | $1,000 | 0.90% | $399/month for 36 months, $4,999 due at signing | 10/31/23 |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Kia deals and average prices paid.
2. Ford Mustang Mach-E
If one needs a benchmark to gauge how intense the competition has become in this segment, look no further than the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Three years now into production, this SUV has come off a banner year that places the vehicle third in U.S. EV sales. Surely, in tagging their first mass-production all-electric SUV with one of the automaker’s most prestigious monikers, Ford was not horsing around.
No question though, there are trade-offs. Where the Mach-E trails the Model Y in fuel economy, it delivers a more comfortable ride than the Tesla; where it takes a bit longer to charge, it scores better in reliability. Even if comfort and reliability are not as definitively quantifiable as fuel economy and charging time, on an everyday basis, would you prefer them?
Not that the charging time disparities are inconsequential. For the Mach-E to get to 80% of full charge in 45 minutes is clearly on the slow side of the competition. However, this is not necessarily as unfavorable as it seems if one reconsiders their charging strategy. Observe that with gasoline, filling up is convenient because there is ordinarily no way to fill up while the vehicle sits idle at home or at work. Not so with an EV. Consequently, one might need to add just 60 miles of charge at a Level III charger, which will take about 10 minutes in the Mach-E, and then finish charging up when the vehicle is parked at the Level II charger you’ve installed at home or that your employer provides at your work location.
More important to recognize is that the Mach-E can travel 312 miles on a full charge in the AWD California Route 1 trim, which features an extended-range battery. It’s one of the many more Mach-E trim and configuration choices than those offered by the Model Y. For most travelers, commuters, and daily drivers, 300 miles of charge is more than enough to get through the day.
The Takeaway: Put aside preconceptions about what being a Mustang means and take a fresh look at this vehicle. It offers quick performance, attractive styling, and upmarket comfort in an emissions-free SUV with pricing that starts at under $50-thousand dollars before tax credit incentives that could put $7,500 back into your savings account.
Current Ford Mustang Mach-E Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Ford | Mustang Mach-E | $464/month for 48 months, $4,944 due at signing | 10/2/23 | ||
| 2024 | Ford | Mustang Mach-E |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Ford deals and average prices paid.
3. Mercedes-Benz EQB
Although it’s not built on an EV-specific platform, the Mercedes-Benz EQB is definitively an all-electric contender in this comparison and is the most economical Mercedes-Benz EQ EV currently available. For 2023, the EQB is available in three versions, having added a front-wheel drive EQB 250+ model to the lineup.
Offering Mercedes-level quality in a mid-size SUV with an optional 7-seat configuration, the EQB aims squarely at the potential Model Y buyer with children in tow. Plus, there’s such a close similarity feature-wise to the gasoline-powered GLB model on which the EQB is based that there’s an enticing Mercedes familiarity for the shopper who might be on the fence about going electric.
Of the three EQB model variants, the EQB 300 4MATIC comes best prepared for the competition based on its combination of driving range and power, offering an estimated 243-mile range and 225 horsepower. By themselves, these figures would leave the EQB short of the mark going head-to-head with the Model Y, but where the EQB really shines in this comparison is comfort and dependability.
Feature-wise, the 10.25-inch cluster and media displays are right-sized for the vehicle and employ the new generation Mercedes user interface. Safety features include lane-keeping assist, blind spot assist, and active brake assist. Advancing to the Pinnacle trim, which is available at each model level, adds the exquisite Burmester surround sound system.
The Takeaway: One might need to put away the spec sheets to fully appreciate what the EQB brings to this competition. For the price, there’s really no comparison.
Current Mercedes-Benz EQB Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Mercedes | EQB | $499/month for 36 months, $5,293 due at signing | 10/2/23 |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Mercedes-Benz deals and average prices paid.
4. Volkswagen ID.4
From a pricing perspective, the ID.4 crushes the other four vehicles in this comparison with its $37,495 entry point. Granted, the low-end tradeoff is that range is a paltry 209 miles. This alone will likely drive many car buyers to aim for a higher trim of the ID.4 lineup, where range quickly gets a jolt to 275 miles with a longer-range battery.
Even so, pricing still beats the nearest competitor even at that level. For example, an ID.4 Pro with an 82kWh long-range battery checks in at $42,495. One could even move up to the ID.4 Pro with AWD at $46,295 and still not hit the entry cost of any of the others.
Of course, there’s more to making a purchase decision than price. Nevertheless, Volkswagen still manages to stay in the game by offering plenty of upmarket niceties despite the economy-minded pricing. Standard features such as roof rails, heated seats, a 12-inch touchscreen, and wireless phone charging elevate the ID.4 to competitive status. Sweetening the deal are three years of unlimited 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America DC fast chargers.
The Takeaway: Though some might argue that the ID.4 is out of its class in this comparison, we would disagree. Look deep into the ID.4 lineup and discover that a fully loaded ID.4 AWD Pro S Plus steps up to this emissions-free challenge while saving plenty of greenbacks.
Current Volkswagen ID.4 Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Volkswagen | ID.4 | $7,500 | 3.90% | $329/month for 36 months, $4,999 due at signing | 10/31/23 |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Volkswagen deals and average prices paid.
