Top 10 Non-Tesla EVs Worth Buying in 2025

Tesla may dominate the EV spotlight, but 2025 brings fierce competition from automakers that are redefining electric performance, range, and design. From luxury cruisers to budget-friendly innovators, these are the top 10 electric vehicles worth considering beyond Tesla this year.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Man, I just love looking at this thing. It’s so retro-futuristic, like a DeLorean and a VW Golf had a baby. But it’s not just a pretty face, you know? The ride is super smooth, it’s incredibly quiet inside, and the tech is brilliant. That vehicle-to-load feature where you can plug in, like, a coffee maker or your laptop? Genius. And it charges insanely fast. Uhm, price-wise, you’re probably looking at starting around $42,000 or so. It just feels special, you know? Not like every other car on the road.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

I know, I know, the name is controversial but… not gonna lie, it’s a seriously good car. It’s fun to drive, it’s got some real pep, and it’s actually practical. The interior is way nicer than I expected from a Ford, honestly. It just feels solid. And they’ve got the whole BlueCruise hands-free driving thing on certain roads which is kinda wild. I think it starts in the high $40,000s? It’s a proper, no-excuses electric SUV that happens to be fun.

Kia EV6

This is like the Ioniq 5’s slightly sportier, sleeker cousin. They share a lot of the same tech, so you get that crazy-fast charging too. But the EV6 feels a bit more… driver-focused? The GT version is a straight-up rocket ship. The interior design is really cool, very modern and airy. It’s probably also in that mid-$40,000 to start, maybe a touch more. It’s one of those cars that just feels really well thought-out.

Rivian R1S

Okay, so if you need to, like, conquer a mountain and pick up the kids from soccer, this is your thing. It’s a proper, rugged, adventure SUV but it’s also stupid luxurious inside. The ride is so smooth, it just glides over everything. And it’s hilariously quick for something so big. The tank turn thing is a party trick, but a cool one. It’s not cheap, though, uhm, you’re looking at around $78,000 to start. But for what it is? It’s almost a bargain.

Chevrolet Equinox EV

Now this… this feels like the one for the masses. Honestly. It looks normal, which is good! It’s a compact SUV, so it’s a familiar shape, and they’re saying it’ll start around, like, $35,000? Which is just a great price. For that, you get legit 300 miles of range, plenty of space, and it’s just a sensible, smart choice. It’s not trying to be a spaceship, it’s just trying to be your next car, and I think that’s brilliant.

Volvo EX30

Oh, I have a soft spot for this little guy. It’s tiny, it’s efficient, and it’s so smartly designed. The interior is minimalist but in a really clever, Swedish way—they use like, one speaker for the whole sound system? It’s wild. And it’s quick! 0-60 in like 3.4 seconds in the dual-motor, which is just silly. Starting around $36,000 for a Volvo? With that safety and style? It’s a killer deal for a city car.

Polestar 2

This car is just so… cool. It’s understated, it’s Swedish-designed, and it feels incredibly well-built. The driving experience is great, it’s sort of firm and sporty but still comfortable. It’s like they took the idea of a premium compact sedan and just made a really, really good electric version. The 2025 model has more range too, which was its only weak spot. Starts in the high $40,000s. It’s for people who want something a bit more design-conscious than a Tesla.

BMW i4

If you’re a BMW person, you’ll feel right at home. It drives like a proper BMW—the steering is sharp, the handling is tight, it’s just so engaging. And it’s a Gran Coupe, so it’s got that sleek look but a practical hatchback. The interior is gorgeous, all curved screens and nice materials. It’s definitely pricier, starting in the mid-$50,000s, but… uhm, you feel it. You feel the quality. It’s a driver’s car, first and foremost.

Nissan Ariya

This car is the quiet, confident one. It doesn’t shout, it just… delivers. The interior is lovely, so comfortable and quiet, and it just glides down the road. It feels more like a luxury car than a Nissan, honestly. The front is so open because of the flat floor, it feels really spacious. Pricing is kinda in the middle, starting around $44,000. It’s not the flashiest, but it might be one of the most pleasant to live with every single day.

Fisker Ocean

Okay, this one’s a bit of a wildcard. The design is super distinctive, love it or hate it. But the features are cool that rotating screen, the solar roof that can actually add a few miles, the California Mode that rolls down, like, all the windows at once. It’s a bit more of a risk than an established brand, I guess, but it starts around $39,000 and it’s just… different. It’s for someone who wants to stand out.