► Not sure about the Tesla Model Y?
► These are the cars you need to check out too
► From Polestar to Xpeng
There’s a reason the Tesla Model Y is the UK’s best-selling electric car. Based on the impressive Model 3, it delivers Tesla’s tech-forward driving experience with more room, and styling that’s inoffensive enough to blend in with everything else. Its Juniper facelift takes things further, adding a futuristic look that sits somewhere between the Cybercab concept and a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica.
But is the best-selling EV the best electric car to buy? Not necessarily. It may be the most popular EV around but even in its updated form the Model Y faces stiff competition from the Chinese, South Koreans and the legacy brands too. Tesla doesn’t automatically win on tech now, and thanks to ever more affordable products from the East, it won’t win on price either.
So, what do you need to be test driving before you sign up for a Model Y? Keep reading for our favourite Tesla Model Y alternatives. Find our alternatives for the Model 3 here.
The best Tesla Model Y alternatives in 2025
Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric
The best car for those who want style and comfort
Pros: Clever interior packaging, Google-powered UI, 379 mile range
Cons: Slower than rivals, boot smaller than expected
All the buzz is understandably around the Renault 5, but the Scenic is arguably even more significant. Renault has reinvented the Scenic, making it a pure electric family car with an emphasis on clever design and efficiency. It’s built on the same CMF-EV platform as the Nissan Ariya, so it benefits from an airy, spacious interior – and there’s smart storage solutions, and a user-friendly infotainment system too. Tech fans will find its dashboard intuitive and modern, though it still includes physical.
Being large and French, the Scenic doesn’t have the same nippy focus of the Tesla Model Y and is instead tuned for comfort and predictability rather than thrills. That’s all you need in this car, though, and when combined with WLTP range of up to 379 miles, it’s extremely practical too.
Read our Renault Scenic E-Tech review here.
Skoda Enyaq iV
The best car for understated all-round excellence
Pros: Huge boot, roomy cabin, comfortable ride
Cons: Base models feel sluggish, interior lacks wow factor
The Skoda Enyaq is based the same platform as the second-best selling EV in the UK, the Q4 e-Tron, but it does things very differently. Being a Skoda it’s a little more understated and pragmatic. The boot is huge, the rear seats spacious and there’s a thoughtful mix of storage compartments and practical design touches throughout the cabin.
The driving experience is similarly utilitarian, with the Enyaq prioritising comfort and ease of use. The ride is smooth, the steering light and it quietly soaks up daily driving duties. Of course, it doesn’t deliver the sharp handling or instant punch of the Tesla Model Y, but it’s more relaxing and secure on the road.
Higher trims and the dual-motor vRS add more power, but the sweet spot remains the 85 model with its claimed 348-mile range. It’s not a head-turner, but if you want your EV experience to be serene, spacious and sensible, this should be high on your list.
Read our Skoda Enyaq iV review here.
Kia EV6
The best car for dynamic driving and punchy design
Pros: Eye-catching design, engaging handling, fast charging
Cons: Rear space is limited, visibility not always great
The Kia EV6 felt like a watershed for electric cars, and this new facelifted version feels like a watershed moment for the brand specifically. It’s sporty, high-tech and premium, now confidently competing with the established players. On the road, it sits low and wide with striking proportions, and inside, there’s a driver-focused cockpit with a twin-screen layout and slim centre console. Even the entry-level models feel well equipped, while GT-Line trims bring more visual and dynamic punch.
Underneath that dazzling bodywork, the new EV6 uses Hyundai-Kia’s E-GMP architecture which comes with a range of benefits: 800V charging capability is baked in, meaning charging from 10 to 80 per cent in under 20 minutes on a suitable charger.
Get back on the road and you’ll find its swift and composed, especially in dual-motor guise. If you’re after a Model Y rival that has a more interesting design an similarly impressive tech, this is one to check out.
Read our full review of the Kia EV6 here.
Polestar 4
The best car for tech-forward performance
Pros: Concept-car looks, cutting-edge interior, strong range
Cons: No rear window takes getting used to, as does the tech
Is there a car that sums up the 2020s more than the Polestar 4? It’s the first mainstream car to ditch the rear window entirely, opting instead for a roof-mounted camera feeding a digital mirror. Inside it’s powered by Google’s HMI software, and almost every single function – even opening the glove box – requires you to use the massive touchscreen in the middle of the interior. In tech alone, the Polestar 4 makes the Model Y look positively old-school.
Unlike the Polestar 3 which uses the same tech as the Volvo’s EX90 and ES90, the 4 is based on Geely’s SEA platform and engineered for comfort and performance. Dual-motor versions are alarmingly fast off the line but offer a supple ride around town. Single-motor models are a little more sensible but push the range to nearly 380 miles. The 4 may not be as versatile as the Model Y, but it’s cooler, sleeker and feels distinctly more upmarket.
Read our full review of the Polestar 4 here.
Xpeng G6
The best car for those who want Tesla tech on the cheap
Pros: Quick charging, minimalist interior, neat styling
Cons: Servicing and dealership network untested so far
Xpeng is one of the most interesting Chinese newcomers in the EV space, and the G6 is its key European model. Designed to rival the Model Y head-on, the G6 sits on an 800V architecture and combines it with bold styling and coupe-SUV silhouette for a sporty, futuristic feel. Inside, the cabin is clean and tech-centric with features like a cooled wireless phone charger for improved efficiency. Like many of the cars on this list, its interior is dominated by a massive touchscreen and Tesla-style minimalism.
Two power variants of the G6 are available in the UK, and both are rear-wheel drive. The Standard Range features a 254bhp e-motor and a range of 270 miles. The Long Range model features a larger 87kWh battery pack and a modest boost in power to 282bhp, dropping the 0-62mph time down to 6.2 seconds and the range up to a claimed 354 miles.
It’s the price you’ll care about though: it’s properly packed with kit and starts from £39,990 for the Standard Range – a full £5,000 less than the entry price of a Model Y. The Long Range comes in at £44,990 and is the one to go for.
Read our Xpeng G6 review here.
For the best electric SUVs overall, read this list.