This stunning-looking, highly effective EV, is a superb various to the Tesla Mannequin Y.

The automobile market is in turmoil, however the headline is that Tesla gross sales are dropping and profits are down, whereas EV gross sales generally are up in 2025 thus far. Whereas Tesla continues to be the 800-pound gorilla within the EV market with 43% of all gross sales, the Mannequin Y US gross sales dropped by 33% in Q1 this 12 months. That is vital as a result of the Mannequin Y just isn’t solely the best-selling Tesla, it was the fourth-best-selling car within the US in ’24.

For a lot of consumers, this creates a quandary. If not a Tesla, then what? Tesla equates to electrical automobile. If not a Tesla, then there’s nothing, proper? For the primary 10-12 years of the corporate’s existence, there was no various. Certain, there was the Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi MiEV, and varied Renault fashions, however they had been small, unassuming, lacked energy, and above all, did not look nice.

Tesla guidelines the roost as a result of different EVs are usually not eye-catching, they lack energy, have quick vary, take a very long time to cost, and are bland packing containers with no options. However there are actually a number of wonderful alternate options to every of the 5 Tesla fashions in the marketplace.

This is one which particularly takes on the Mannequin Y in a wide range of methods.

The Kia EV6 challenges the Mannequin Y

The Kia EV6 and Tesla Mannequin Y are very comparable in that they are feature-rich compact electrical crossover/SUVs. Each seat 5 comfortably, though the Tesla could be configured to seat seven somewhat extra snugly. The Mode Y launched in 2020, whereas the EV6 released in 2022.

The Mannequin Y is at the moment obtainable in two trims on its US web site — RWD and AWD, with the latter in all probability the Launch model that is a lot mentioned, however that little or no is thought about. The EV6 is available in 5 variations, with RWD and AWD choices in three of them. Each vehicles at the moment qualify for the $7,500 tax credit score, however will almost definitely lose this if US legislation changes as planned.

The Kia EV6’s vary

Kia and Hyundai each favor this vary unfold, with a less expensive, much less highly effective trim, just a few RWD/FWD choices, and ending with a little bit of an influence monster. The inexpensive Mild mannequin is good for drivers who need the advantages of an EV in a bundle with good options, however that do not want large energy or lengthy vary. The center three trims in all probability compete most carefully with the Mannequin Y.

Mannequin Y

The Tesla Mannequin Y is within the strategy of switching its 2025 vary to 2026, so a number of particulars are usually not obtainable. However Tesla tends to launch a mannequin and replace it over time. For instance, the Mannequin S launched approach again in 2012 and continues to be obtainable. The Mannequin Y launched 2020, so we are able to choose Tesla’s claims in opposition to identified information from the 2025 mannequin.

Associated

The Tesla Model Y gets a Cybertruck-inspired facelift

The brand new Mannequin Y includes a notable lightbar on its rear and an general extra streamlined design.

Security, reliability, charging, and guarantee

Kia

I am evaluating the identified amount of the Mannequin Y with the comparatively unknown attributes of the Kia EV6, and earlier than I come to options, know-how, and cargo area, we’ve got to set the parameters of security, reliability, the place and how briskly every automobile can cost, and guarantee.

Security

The Mannequin Y and EV 6 each rating a most of five-stars in crash assessments with the NHTSA. The 2025 Mannequin Y had two remembers, whereas the EV6 had none. The IIHS scored each automobiles as ‘good’, which is its high metric, though neither automobile obtained the uncommon Prime Security Decide ranking.

Reliability

J.D Energy is among the many most trusted sources within the automotive sphere. It charges automobiles out of 100 for varied metrics. Listed below are the scores for the 2025 Mannequin Y and 2024 EV6, because the 2025 mannequin has not but been rated.

Tesla Mannequin Y

• Total – 76/100
• High quality and reliability 69/100 – honest
• Driving expertise 81/100 – nice
• Resale 85/100 – nice

Kia EV6

• Total – 78
• High quality and reliability – 76 – common
• Driving expertise – 89/100 – nice
• Resale 75/100 – common

Charging

Any EV vary of 300 miles is greater than sufficient more often than not, and can take you 5 and a half hours to do on the freeway pace restrict. Dwelling or at work charging is finest as a result of it occurs within the background, and the vitality price is a few quarter of an identical tank of fuel. The problem is when it’s important to recharge on the fly if it’s essential to go additional than your battery can deal with at the moment.

The Tesla Mannequin Y can cost as much as 250 kW max, giving it as much as 169 miles of vary in quarter-hour. Tesla doesn’t give the standard 10 to 80% cost time. Nonetheless, the Mannequin Y is clearly optimized for the intensive Tesla Supercharger community.

The Kia EV6 can cost as much as 350 kW max, giving it a ten to 80% cost time of 20 minutes. It will probably cost at most public charging services, together with the Tesla Supercharger community.

Guarantee

Electrical automobiles are far mechanically far easier than corresponding inner combustion engine automobiles. So whereas there are fewer issues to go fallacious, the largest concern with an EV is the battery pack, as that is nonetheless by far the most costly a part of the automobile.

Tesla Mannequin Y guarantee

• Primary car 4 years / 50,000 miles
• Battery and drive unit 8 years / 120,000 miles

Kia EV6 guarantee

• Primary car 5 years / 60,000 miles
• Battery 10 years / 100,000 miles
• EV system 10 years /100,000 miles
• Roadside help 5 years / 60,000 miles

Associated

Kia joins growing list of automakers with Tesla Supercharger access

Kia EVs can now lastly cost at Tesla Superchargers, becoming a member of different automakers like Ford and Hyundai.

Options

Kia

The Tesla Mannequin Y has been round since 2020 and is the bestselling Tesla mannequin, and was the fourth best-selling car within the US final 12 months. It provides all the standard options you’ll anticipate from a premium EV, together with ventilated and heated seats, contact screens within the entrance and the again, and nice sound.

The mannequin Y has extra cargo area than the EV6, each behind the rear seats and with the seats folded flat. The EV6 has two 12.3-inch shows for infotainment and devices, and these are joined to type a big display screen on the fascia. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is normal throughout the vary, whereas the Mannequin Y does not provide this, infotainment choices like Spotify and Audible fill the hole a bit.

Driver help

The Tesla Full Self Driving bundle, whereas not fairly solely really self-driving, is a severely superior driving help function. The Kia EV6 provides a complete suite of driver help, starting from collision warning to freeway help that makes use of radar and cameras to assist the motive force navigate the freeway, change lanes, and preserve following distance. Some options are normal, whereas others are elective or depending on trim stage.

The EV6 as a viable various to the Mannequin Y

The Kia EV6 is a superb automobile and stacks up very nicely in opposition to the good Mannequin Y. For many who thought Tesla was the one EV possibility, the EV6 is certainly one of many worthy contenders. In case you are on the lookout for an EV proper now, however possibly not a Tesla, check drive the EV6 and see if it really works for you.