The Tesla Model Y Not only was the Toyota Corolla the best-selling electric vehicle (EV) in Australia last year, it was the best-selling car in the world. No, not just an EV – a car, period.
It outsells other popular SUVs like the Toyota RAV4as well as powerful passenger cars like Toyota Corolla.
The Model Y certainly doesn’t make it easy for rivals in Australia.
First, Tesla has the first-mover advantage when it comes to electric vehicles, and although the Model Y took a long time to arrive in other markets, it still beats out competitors from Toyota, Ford, etc.
Second, the starting price is just $55,990 before on-road costs, which is a pretty good deal. Tesla doesn’t hold back, constantly slashing prices to undercut its competitors before they have a chance to threaten it.
So, the best-selling, affordable electric car… The Tesla Model Y seems like an easy choice if you’re looking for an electric car, right? Well, it’s a good car, but probably not for you.
Maybe you don’t like the bland interior or the clunky exterior, or you don’t like the brand’s controversial CEO, or you just don’t want such a popular EV. Maybe you’re not even ready for an EV.
Below are the members of Car expert The group shared what they would get instead.
Alborz Fallah: Walking
I would rather walk than buy another Tesla Model Y. I bought one and kept it for exactly 8 days, about 8 days longer than I expected to own it.
I won’t explain why owning a Tesla is like keeping a box of tissues in the back of your Camry hybrid in the modern age, but what was once the only realistic option for electric vehicles is now pretty much at the bottom of the list of options (unless public charging infrastructure is your number one priority).
If I had less money, I might consider buying a BYD Atto 3 or if I had more money, I might buy a Hyundai Ioniq 5 or BMW iX1.
All three are better options, and the great thing is you won’t have to own the Model Y, which is due to be replaced with an updated version next year.
THAN: Buy BYD Atto 3
THAN: Buy Hyundai Ioniq 5
THAN: Buy BMW iX1
Paul Maric: Ford Mustang Mach-E
We canceled our order for another Model Y after Tesla jacked up the resale price…and just wanted to explore what else was on the market.
I spent more time in the Mustang Mach-E and found it to be superior to the Model Y in terms of interior design and driving feel.
The app isn’t quite as good as the Model Y, but you’ll never realize how much you miss the basic features of a modern non-Tesla car—like parking sensors, Apple CarPlay, and a head-up display—when you finally step out of the Model Y.
So while the Model Y is a cheap and cheerful option in this segment, it has become too common and boring. I’m glad we were able to spend more time with other electric vehicles to see what we’ve been missing.
THAN: Buy Ford Mustang Mach-E
Scott Collie: Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Tesla Model Y is a fantastic electric SUV, but its aggressively minimalist styling is a bit… jarring.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 takes a softer, more approachable approach to the future of motoring. The pre-update car is comfortable, pleasant on the road, and one of the few electric cars that can match the Tesla in terms of fuel efficiency.
The upcoming update also improves the interior tech, finally giving this future flagship the infotainment system it deserves. I wouldn’t use that silly digital rearview mirror.
THAN: Buy Hyundai Ioniq 5
James Wong: Cupra Formentor e-Hybrid 2025
I’m not ready to go all-electric yet and the $60,000-$70,000 price point doesn’t leave me with many options to choose from.
So I’ll go to the waiting room and say I’ll wait for the updated Cupra Formentor PHEV to arrive in Australia early next year.
In addition to an enhanced suite of technologies and improved cabin finishes that help justify the premium price tag, the new e-Hybrid PHEV also bumps battery capacity to 19.7kWh (net), extending the electric vehicle’s range to over 100km per charge.
And that’s just the EV part of the PHEV. The new powertrain brings a new 1.5-litre turbocharged plug-in hybrid system with 200kW (up from 180kW) for increased efficiency, and the battery can now be DC fast-charged at up to 50kW.
With the improved battery system, the Formentor can be operated almost entirely as an electric vehicle until you travel long distances or drive aggressively and want to use the turbocharged internal combustion engine.
THAN: Buy Cupra Formentor
William Stopford: Hyundai Ioniq 5
There are a lot of good mid-size electric SUVs out there, but when I think about what I’d actually want to live with, there’s one that stands out.
I’d argue the Hyundai Ioniq 5 isn’t an SUV, even by today’s liberal definition, but it is practical (though not as spacious as the Model Y).
The tech is great, especially the vehicle-to-cargo (V2L) capability. The interior is comfortable and full of smart details, like the sliding center console and glove compartment.
This car also has a retro futuristic design that really stands out and makes it look as fresh as when it first came out.
Is it significantly more expensive, spec-wise, than the Model Y? Sadly, yes, but it’s still a desirable product. And even at the premium price, if we’re looking at the high end, I’d take the Ioniq 5 N over the Model Y Performance any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
THAN: Buy Hyundai Ioniq 5
Jack Quick: Mini Countryman E
I know on paper there’s a big price difference between the Tesla Model Y RWD and the Mini Countryman E, and it’s not as efficient and spacious after all, but I think the latter has more character and appeal.
This German-made crossover has grown significantly over the previous generation and has many unique features. It is now produced in the same factory as the BMW X1 and X2, both of which are significantly more expensive than the Countryman.
Like the Model Y, the Countryman’s interior is touchscreen-centric, but the latter has a circular OLED display with bright colors and eye-catching graphics. It’s fun to play with the different ‘Experience’ modes.
I also really like the fabric trim inside the Countryman, although I know they hide some of the harder plastics.
THAN: Buy a Mini Countryman
Josh Nevett: BYD Sealion 6
While EVs fit my use case, PHEVs offer more versatility for a wider range of new car buyers. With that in mind, it’s hard to ignore the new BYD Sealion 6.
Like other models in the BYD line, the Sealion 6 will certainly make some suitors wary just because of its looks, but if you’re a fan of the car’s design, there’s still a lot to like.
At $52,990 before on-road costs, the flagship Premium trim is almost $3,000 cheaper than the base Model Y, and you don’t miss out on any extra kit. The top-spec Sealion 6 trim comes standard with all-wheel drive and 238kW of power, plus a large interior display, faux-leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, full-featured seats and plenty of legroom.
It’s also very efficient, especially if you spend most of your driving time in EV mode.
THAN: Buy a BYD Sealion 6
Max Davies: Mini Countryman SE All4
If you’re someone who absolutely must have a pure electric car, why not make it something a little more special?
My perfect candidate for that would be the new all-electric Mini Countryman. Mini has really come a long way in recent years, and the latest Countryman is a prime example of exactly what the brand has to offer.
You’ll find quirky but cute retro styling on the outside, unique shapes and materials on the inside, and underneath the skin is the BMW iX1’s chassis, which is already a great EV.
Where the Countryman differentiates itself is in its affordability, as its $75,990 price tag sits between the long-range and high-performance segments of the Model Y, while still being cheaper than even the base iX1.
It’s still a few thousand dollars cheaper than the base iX1, but it offers a bit of personality that you don’t get in most cars. You even still get 230kW of power and 494Nm of torque, all sent to the ground through four-wheel drive.
Better yet, there’s a more attractive JCW version coming soon if you want a little more power. What could be better?
THAN: Buy a Mini Countryman
Tyra Lawler-Cass: Hyundai Kona Electric
When it comes to electric vehicles, driving range can be a deciding factor. If you’re looking for an electric vehicle with a driving range close to that of the Tesla Model Y, consider the Hyundai Kona Electric Premium Extended Range.
The Kona Electric combines the futuristic electrified experience you expect from an electric vehicle with practicality and comfort.
One of the standout features of the Model Y is its driving range, which is a maximum of 370 miles (NEDC). The Kona Electric is close, boasting a claimed range of 340 miles, also on the NEDC cycle. However, keep in mind that it takes twice as long to reach 80 percent charge (from 10 percent) as the Tesla.
More importantly, the Kona Electric has a proper instrument cluster – I think that says it all.
