The Tesla Model 3 is the best electric car money can buy, but it has some serious competition. These are some of its toughest rivals.

Matthew DeBordApr 22, 2020, 19:30 IST

Business Insider

The Tesla Model 3 is definitely the best electric car I've ever driven.
But the Model 3 has rivals, from Jaguar, Chevy, MINI, Nissan, and BMW — and I've also driven all those cars.
Some of the competition has been around longer than the Model 3, while other vehicles are more luxurious.
My ranking could offer a few surprises.
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The Tesla Model 3 is, as far as I'm concerned, the best electric car money can buy.

But it isn't the only electric car money can buy. A good thing, as the more EVs on the market, the more robust and sustainable that market is likely to be. Currently, the entire global electric-vehicle market amounts to just 2% of total sales.

I've driven every version of the Model 3 Tesla has produced, but I've also driven a number of other EVs (I have a few I haven't gotten to, as well, so this rundown isn't comprehensive). The interesting thing is that all of these EVs do something well — and in many cases, they do it better than the Model 3.

Here's a ranking of the field:

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The i3 has been discontinued, but like the Leaf, it filled a market gap when it was on sale and gave owners the option of a full-EV platform and an extended-range choice, both with futuristic styling.

BMW i3. Matthew DeBord/Business Insider

The i3 has been discontinued, but like the Leaf, it filled a market gap when it was on sale and gave owners the option of a full-EV platform and an extended-range choice, both with futuristic styling.

It's best to think of the i3 as an EV that bridged that gap between the mid-2010s electric market and the early 2020s.

BMW i3. Matthew DeBord/Business Insider

The design of the i3 combined decent interior space with hatchback cargo-carrying versatility.

BMW i3. Matthew DeBord/Business Insider

My fill-ups were hilarious. The tiny gas tank required top-offs to get me home. OK, so maybe the i3 isn't the best road-trip mobile, but it did cover over 240 miles.

BMW i3. Matthew DeBord/Business Insider

My i3 tester car had a range-extender option that paired a small gas motor with the EV drivetrain. When the battery was drained, the motor kicked on to generate more electricity.

BMW i3. Matthew DeBord/Business Insider

My i3 tester car had a range-extender option that paired a small gas motor with the EV drivetrain. When the battery was drained, the motor kicked on to generate more electricity.

... to a Level 2 charger. Both were rather slow, although Level 2 could rejuice the modest battery in seven hours, while a household outlet would need a long, overnight charge session.

BMW i3. Matthew DeBord/Business Insider

... to a Level 2 charger. Both were rather slow, although Level 2 could rejuice the modest battery in seven hours, while a household outlet would need a long, overnight charge session.

I explored several options for charging the i3, ranging from a simple wall outlet ...

BMW i3. Matthew DeBord/Business Insider

6.) And in sixth place, another veteran — the BMW i3. For a short time several years ago, there was a rumor that the i3 could become the Apple Car. As-tested in 2015, the vehicle was $46,000.

BMW i3. Matthew DeBord/Business Insider

6.) And in sixth place, another veteran — the BMW i3. For a short time several years ago, there was a rumor that the i3 could become the Apple Car. As-tested in 2015, the vehicle was $46,000.

The Leaf Plus improves on what was the only affordable EV available, before the Chevy Bolt arrived. the Leaf also earns points for longevity — it was available in 2010, before even the Tesla Model S first showed up. A pioneer!

Nissan Leaf. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

The Leaf Plus improves on what was the only affordable EV available, before the Chevy Bolt arrived. the Leaf also earns points for longevity — it was available in 2010, before even the Tesla Model S first showed up. A pioneer!

The Leaf's eight-inch color infotainment display looks good, but we aren't the biggest fans of the system's layout. It is easy to use, and Bluetooth device-pairing is a snap. You also have available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Nissan Leaf. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

The Leaf's eight-inch color infotainment display looks good, but we aren't the biggest fans of the system's layout. It is easy to use, and Bluetooth device-pairing is a snap. You also have available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Leaf Plus' interior was a bit shy of premium, but the seats were comfy, and there was a reasonable amount of space to stow small items. The Leaf has always received criticism for its "tweener" nature. It's not a luxury car, but it's also not barebones. I've always thought it hits a sweet-spot for customers who aren't wealthy but who have the means to invest in an EV.

Nissan Leaf. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

The Leaf Plus' interior was a bit shy of premium, but the seats were comfy, and there was a reasonable amount of space to stow small items. The Leaf has always received criticism for its "tweener" nature. It's not a luxury car, but it's also not barebones. I've always thought it hits a sweet-spot for customers who aren't wealthy but who have the means to invest in an EV.

The Leaf Plus serves up 214 miles on a single charge and has a more powerful motor that previous versions of the vehicle. A 62 kilowatt-hour battery added roughly 70 miles of range compared to the standard Leaf's 151-mile battery.

Nissan Leaf. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

The Leaf Plus serves up 214 miles on a single charge and has a more powerful motor that previous versions of the vehicle. A 62 kilowatt-hour battery added roughly 70 miles of range compared to the standard Leaf's 151-mile battery.

The Leaf's cargo area is an excellent 24 cubic feet, expandable to 30 with the rear seats dropped. The hatch's opening is a tad awkward, with a sort of oval shape.

Nissan Leaf. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

The back seat was about average, space-wise, for the segment.

Nissan Leaf. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

The Leaf's "Light Gray" interior was pleasant.

Nissan Leaf. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

5.) In fifth, we have the stalwart Nissan Leaf — a true veteran. I've driven the car half a dozen times, most recently in Leaf SL Plus trim. Price? $44,000.

Nissan Leaf. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

The Bolt remains one of the more affordable EVs on the market — and is about to see its second-generation hit the market. Before the Model 3 landed, it was the only true mass-market EV, and that mission continues to guide it.

Chevy Bolt. Hollis Johnson

The Bolt remains one of the more affordable EVs on the market — and is about to see its second-generation hit the market. Before the Model 3 landed, it was the only true mass-market EV, and that mission continues to guide it.

The infotainment system is a snazzy version of GM's excellent setup. The touchscreen interface is intuitive and responsive. It also provides lots of EV-geek-out opportunities.

Chevy Bolt. Hollis Johnson

The infotainment system is a snazzy version of GM's excellent setup. The touchscreen interface is intuitive and responsive. It also provides lots of EV-geek-out opportunities.

Level 2 charging gets you about 25 miles of charge per hour, so you can get back to fully juiced overnight. This was the variety of charging that we used, plugging the Bolt into a Level 2 ChargePoint station near my house. This worked well, but we had to leave the Bolt parked for long stretches, so many potential owners will want to explore the home setup. The 2020 version of the Bolt gets 259 miles per charge. The 2017-2019 Bolt maxes out at 238 miles per charge.

Hollis Johnson

Level 2 charging gets you about 25 miles of charge per hour, so you can get back to fully juiced overnight. This was the variety of charging that we used, plugging the Bolt into a Level 2 ChargePoint station near my house. This worked well, but we had to leave the Bolt parked for long stretches, so many potential owners will want to explore the home setup. The 2020 version of the Bolt gets 259 miles per charge. The 2017-2019 Bolt maxes out at 238 miles per charge.

Because there's no engine, gas tank, or conventional drivetrain, the Bolt's interior, front and back, is quite roomy.

Chevy Bolt. Hollis Johnson

Our tester's interior was "Dark Galvanized Gray," two-tone. Nice, but not exactly premium.

Chevy Bolt. Hollis Johnson

The hatch can swallow a decent amount of cargo, enough for a weekend jaunt and is more than adequate for suburban grocery shopping duty. A family of four would stretch the Bolt's capabilities.

Chevy Bolt. Hollis Johnson

The hatch can swallow a decent amount of cargo, enough for a weekend jaunt and is more than adequate for suburban grocery shopping duty. A family of four would stretch the Bolt's capabilities.

The Bolt was envisioned by the carmaker's Korean studio, a lab for the company's small-car platforms. Because it was engineered around its 60 kWh LG battery pack — which provides actual structural integrity to the car — the Bolt is distinctive within GM's global lineup. That said, it does have that compact-crossover-hatchback look.

Chevy Bolt. Hollis Johnson

The Bolt was envisioned by the carmaker's Korean studio, a lab for the company's small-car platforms. Because it was engineered around its 60 kWh LG battery pack — which provides actual structural integrity to the car — the Bolt is distinctive within GM's global lineup. That said, it does have that compact-crossover-hatchback look.

4.) Fourth place goes to the Chevy Bolt. My tester in 2017 was the Premier trim, which starts at $40,905. Once some options were added, we were looking at about $43,000.

Chevy Bolt. Hollis Johnson

4.) Fourth place goes to the Chevy Bolt. My tester in 2017 was the Premier trim, which starts at $40,905. Once some options were added, we were looking at about $43,000.