The car market is in turmoil, but the headline is that Tesla sales are dropping and profits are down, while EV sales in general are up in 2025 so far. While Tesla is still the 800-pound gorilla in the EV market with 43% of all sales, the Model Y US sales dropped by 33% in Q1 this year. This is significant because the Model Y is not only the best-selling Tesla, it was the fourth-best-selling vehicle in the US in ’24.
For many buyers, this creates a quandary. If not a Tesla, then what? Tesla equates to electric car. If not a Tesla, then there’s nothing, right? For the first 10-12 years of the company’s existence, there was no alternative. Sure, there was the Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi MiEV, and various Renault models, but they were small, unassuming, lacked power, and above all, didn’t look great.
Tesla rules the roost because other EVs are not eye-catching, they lack power, have short range, take a long time to charge, and are bland boxes with no features. But there are now several excellent alternatives to each of the five Tesla models on the market.
Here’s one that specifically takes on the Model Y in a variety of ways.
The Tesla Model Y is an exceptional car that holds its own no matter what power train you compare it with. This article is not focused on downplaying the Model Y, but rather to highlight that there are totally viable EV alternatives on the market.
The Tesla Model Y is in a transition period, with the 2025 range discontinued in March and replaced with a Launch version. The Tesla website has the Long Range RWD and Long Range AWD as the only options available, but with very little information on specifications such as horsepower and torque. But Tesla models change incrementally over time, and the 2026 Model Y should not be that different from the 2025 model.
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The Kia EV6 challenges the Model Y
The Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y are very similar in that they’re feature-rich compact electric crossover/SUVs. Both seat five comfortably, although the Tesla can be configured to seat seven rather more snugly. The Mode Y launched in 2020, while the EV6 released in 2022.
The Model Y is currently available in two trims on its US website — RWD and AWD, with the latter probably the Launch version that’s much discussed, but that very little is known about. The EV6 comes in five versions, with RWD and AWD options in three of them. Both cars currently qualify for the $7,500 tax credit, but will most likely lose this if US legislation changes as planned.
The Kia EV6’s range
Kia EV6 | Light RWD | Light Long RangeRWD/AWD | Wind RWD/AWD | G-T Line RWD/AWD | GT AWD |
MSRP | $42,900 | $46,200/$50,300 | $50,300/$54,300 | $54,200/$58,900 | $63,800 |
Range* | 237 miles | 319 miles/295 miles | 319 miles/295 miles | 319 miles/270 miles | 231 miles |
Horsepower | 167 hp | 225/320 hp | 225/320 hp | 225/320 hp | 601hp/641 hp launch mode |
Torque | 258 lb-ft | 258 /446 lb-ft | 258 /446 lb-ft | 258 /446 lb-ft | 545/568 lb-ft |
0-60 mph | 8.3 | 7.3/5 seconds | 7.3/5 seconds | 7.3/5 seconds | 3.6 seconds |
These are Kia’s figures because the EPA has not released updated figures for the current range. The numbers are within a comfortable ballpark with those of the previous range.
Kia and Hyundai both favor this range spread, with a cheaper, less powerful trim, a few RWD/FWD options, and ending with a bit of a power monster. The affordable Light model is ideal for drivers who want the benefits of an EV in a package with good features, but that don’t need massive power or long range. The middle three trims probably compete most closely with the Model Y.
Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is in the process of switching its 2025 range to 2026, so several details are not available. But Tesla tends to launch a model and update it over time. For example, the Model S launched way back in 2012 and is still available. The Model Y released 2020, so we can judge Tesla’s claims against known facts from the 2025 model.
Tesla Model Y | Long Range RWD | Long Range AWD |
MSRP* | $44,990 | $48,990* |
Range** | 257 miles | 327 miles |
Horsepower and torque | Not given | Not given |
0-60 mph | 4.6 | 5.4 |
There are reports that the Long Range Launch Series will be sold fully-loaded with the normally optional $8,000 Full Self Driving suite and other options, and the price will be around $60,000. Tesla claims these are EPA-tested figures, but they have not yet been published by the EPA. The range of the Long Range AWD drops to 303 miles with 20-inch tires instead of 19-inch.
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Safety, reliability, charging, and warranty
Kia
I’m comparing the known quantity of the Model Y with the relatively unknown attributes of the Kia EV6, and before I come to features, technology, and cargo space, we have to set the parameters of safety, reliability, where and how fast each car can charge, and warranty.
Safety
The Model Y and EV 6 both score a maximum of five-stars in crash tests with the NHTSA. The 2025 Model Y had two recalls, while the EV6 had none. The IIHS scored both vehicles as ‘good’, which is its top metric, although neither car received the rare Top Safety Pick rating.
Reliability
J.D Power is among the most trusted sources in the automotive sphere. It rates vehicles out of 100 for various metrics. Here are the ratings for the 2025 Model Y and 2024 EV6, as the 2025 model has not yet been rated.
Tesla Model Y
- Overall – 76/100
- Quality and reliability 69/100 – fair
- Driving experience 81/100 – great
- Resale 85/100 – great
Kia EV6
- Overall – 78
- Quality and reliability – 76 – average
- Driving experience – 89/100 – great
- Resale 75/100 – average
Charging
Any EV range of 300 miles is more than enough most of the time, and will take you five and a half hours to do at the highway speed limit. Home or at work charging is best because it happens in the background, and the energy cost is about a quarter of a similar tank of gas. The issue is when you have to recharge on the fly if you need to go further than your battery can handle at that time.
The Tesla Model Y can charge up to 250 kW max, giving it up to 169 miles of range in 15 minutes. Tesla does not give the usual 10 to 80% charge time. However, the Model Y is obviously optimized for the extensive Tesla Supercharger network.
The Kia EV6 can charge up to 350 kW max, giving it a 10 to 80% charge time of 20 minutes. It can charge at most public charging facilities, including the Tesla Supercharger network.
Warranty
Electric vehicles are far mechanically far simpler than corresponding internal combustion engine vehicles. So while there are fewer things to go wrong, the biggest concern with an EV is the battery pack, as this is still by far the most expensive part of the car.
Tesla Model Y warranty
- Basic vehicle 4 years / 50,000 miles
- Battery and drive unit 8 years / 120,000 miles
Kia EV6 warranty
- Basic vehicle 5 years / 60,000 miles
- Battery 10 years / 100,000 miles
- EV system 10 years /100,000 miles
- Roadside assistance 5 years / 60,000 miles
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Features
Kia
The Tesla Model Y has been around since 2020 and is the bestselling Tesla model, and was the fourth best-selling vehicle in the US last year. It offers all the quality features you would expect from a premium EV, including ventilated and heated seats, touch screens in the front and the back, and great sound.
The model Y has more cargo space than the EV6, both behind the rear seats and with the seats folded flat. The EV6 has two 12.3-inch displays for infotainment and instruments, and these are joined to form a large screen on the fascia. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard across the range, while the Model Y doesn’t offer this, infotainment options like Spotify and Audible fill the gap a bit.
Driver assist
The Tesla Full Self Driving package, while not quite entirely actually self-driving, is a seriously advanced driving assist feature. The Kia EV6 offers a comprehensive suite of driver assist, ranging from collision warning to highway assist that uses radar and cameras to help the driver navigate the highway, change lanes, and maintain following distance. Some features are standard, while others are optional or dependent on trim level.
The EV6 as a viable alternative to the Model Y
The Kia EV6 is an excellent car and stacks up very well against the brilliant Model Y. For those who thought Tesla was the only EV option, the EV6 is one of many worthy contenders. If you are looking for an EV right now, but maybe not a Tesla, test drive the EV6 and see if it works for you.
