10 Electric Vehicles With Longer Range Than Tesla, Model by Model
Tesla sales lost steam in the past quarter, and one explanation is that the company no longer has the best EVs in the market. When it comes to range, one of the most important buying criteria, Tesla models are losing the battle in all market segments.
Carmakers have tried to improve efficiency at every level to enable a longer range at a given battery capacity. This includes optimizing aerodynamics and minimizing losses at every level, from the drivetrain to the HVAC system. That’s because the Li-ion battery is the most expensive and heavy part of an EV, and opting for a bigger capacity always ends up with a more expensive and heavier EV.
Electric vehicles are already heavier than their ICE counterparts. Increasing the weight also tanks efficiency, because the electric motors need to work harder to overcome inertia and friction at the tire level. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, offered the same explanation when asked why Tesla doesn’t want to compete on range with Lucid. At the time, Lucid had just got the Air Grand Touring sedan certified for 521 miles of range, leaving the best of Tesla in the dust.
Photo: Tesla
However, as other carmakers stepped up their EV programs, they correctly identified range as the metric to improve to compete with Tesla. The Li-ion battery technology advanced, allowing more carmakers to offer longer-range models without affecting the price or weight. On the other hand, Tesla bet everything on the 4680 cells, which proved a hard nut to crack. This proved a bad strategy, even though Elon Musk was mostly right about the efficiency of a longer-range EV. That’s because customers still want as much range as possible.
Tesla fans may argue that Tesla is still the undisputed leader of the EV market. However, Tesla investors and analysts point to plummeting stock prices and disappointing sales as a counterargument. The fact is that Tesla is no longer the range champion, and none of its models are segment-leading based on range. We’ve found ten EVs that Tesla models need to surpass in range, and it’s telling that most of them are in Tesla’s highest-margin segments.
Tesla Cybertruck’s (340 miles) competition
The Cybertruck is the latest addition to the Tesla’s lineup and one of the hottest vehicles on the US market right now. However, the range was its biggest disappointment, with the tri-motor Cyberbeast only going 320 miles instead of the 500 miles Tesla promised in 2019. The EV maker somehow saved face with the AWD variant, which boasts 340 miles versus the 300 miles announced at launch. However, people wanted options closer to 500 miles, and the battery range extender was not an acceptable solution. Here are the pickup trucks that stole the Cybertruck’s crown.
Chevrolet Silverado EV RST (440 miles)
Chevrolet recently released the final specifications for the passenger version of its electric pickup truck. The surprise was that the Silverado EV had more range than previously promised. Chevrolet states 440 miles of range (instead of the initial 400-mile range), but tests show that the Silverado EV can easily go further in real life. In a recent test, the Out of Spec Studios could reach 460 miles with the work truck variant (WT). The Silverado EV RST is tailored for private buyers with more comfort features but has similar specifications.
Photo: Chevrolet
Chevrolet offered another surprise, offering the Silverado EV RST at a lower price than initially announced. Instead of $105,000, the Silverado EV RST First Edition starts at $94,500. Tesla sold the Cybertruck AWD Foundation Series at $99,990, with the Cyberbeast at $109,990. The Foundation Series no longer appears on the Tesla website, but this doesn’t mean much for people wanting to get one. As announced earlier, the Cybertruck production is sold out for the entire 2024 year. The earliest delivery timeline is now 2025, although Tesla has a huge backlog to fill.
Chevrolet will start deliveries of the Silverado EV RST First Edition this summer, although it’s unclear how many will be produced this year. Judging by the slow ramp-up of other models based on GM’s Ultium platform, I’d be cautious about the Silverado EV RST’s volumes. That market-leading range is possible thanks to a 200-kWh battery pack. Chevrolet needs to increase its battery production significantly to produce the Silverado EV in meaningful numbers.
GMC Sierra EV Denali (440 miles)
The GMC Sierra EV Denali is the twin brother of the Silverado EV RST, and it offers similar specifications and performance. Expect the same 440 miles of range, with nicer goodies thrown in to justify GMC’s claims of being the more premium brand in the GM’s portfolio.
Photo: GMC
Like its twin Silverado EV RST, it boasts 754 horsepower from a dual-motor configuration. Thanks to the Ultium architecture, the two pickup trucks can charge at 350 kW, with 10 minutes of charging enough to add 100 miles of range to the battery. The GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 also offers the exclusive CrabWalk mode with 4-Wheel Steer.
The Edition One will be the first variant to hit the dealerships this summer, with a starting price of $99,495. While this is higher than the Chevy, as it should, it’s also lower than previously announced. GMC Sierra EV was initially announced with a $107,000 starting price. The price drop is smaller than with the Chevy Silverado EV, but still worth mentioning.
Rivian R1T Dual Motor AWD Max Pack (410 miles)
While the Rivian R1T is not in the same segment as the Tesla Cybertruck, it’s arguably its fiercest competitor. The mid-size pickup may be smaller, but it’s a giant in off-road capabilities. Tesla Cybertruck has a high ground clearance, but its non-functional locking differentials make it a liability during hardcore off-road adventures.
Photo: Rivian
Rivian has only recently started delivering the R1T with the biggest battery option, the Max pack. This ensures a maximum range of 410 miles, 58 miles more than the original Large pack. You must opt for a Dual-Motor configuration if you want the longest range, although the Performance trim is almost as fast as the Quad-Motor, at 3.5 seconds for the 0-60 time instead of 3.5 seconds.
Even with the Large pack, the Rivian leaves the Cybertruck behind in terms of range, with 352 miles. This makes it $10,000 cheaper, at $79,000. Even at this price, the Rivian R1T is a worthy competitor to the Cybertruck. The most important advantage, though, is that you can buy one right now instead of waiting more than a year or paying a fortune to get a Cybertruck.
GMC Hummer EV 3X (381 miles)
The GMC Hummer EV was the first model built on the Ultium platform. Its weight (over 9,600 lbs.) makes it a true heir to the original Hummer discontinued in 2010. The GMC Hummer EV was impressive not only by its size and weight but also by its relative performance. The battery pack (246 kWh nominal, 212 kWh usable) is the biggest on a passenger vehicle.
Photo: GMC
This allows the top trim EV 3X to go as far as 381 miles (613 km) before it needs recharging. This is truly impressive for a pickup truck that weighs that much and delivers 1,000 horsepower from a tri-motor configuration. Not less impressive is the 3.0 seconds it needs to reach 60 mph from a standstill.
Probably because of the huge battery capacity and the limited production of Ultium cells, GM has not been able to ramp up production as fast as it wanted. This is why the GMC Hummer EV registered a record sales growth in the year’s first quarter (83,300 percent). Compared to the two (!) units sold in Q1 2023, the 1,668 Hummer EVs sold this year are nothing short of extraordinary.
Tesla Model Y LR AWD’s (310 miles) competition
This is Tesla’s best-selling model and the world market leader in 2023, regardless of the propulsion system. It’s also the model that faces the fiercest competition. This might explain why the Model Y recorded a slowing demand in the first quarter, with the inventory reaching an all-time high. Another explanation is that the Model Y is the oldest model in Tesla’s lineup, with no meaningful update since its launch in 2020. The Juniper update won’t come this year, so Tesla needs to find other ways to make the Model Y more attractive. These are the models that benefit the most from the situation.
Chevrolet Blazer EV RS RWD (324 miles)
Chevrolet hasn’t started on the right foot with the Blazer EV, which experienced severe software problems that culminated in December 2023 with a stop-sales order. Owners have complained about intermittent issues with in-vehicle screens and problems using DC fast charging. Chevrolet resumed the Blazer EV sales in March after comprehensive software changes and a nice price drop.
Photo: Chevrolet
The 324-mile range is only possible with the RWD variants, and the cheapest available to order now is the RS trim. That’s a feature-packed version that starts at $48,670. Although 324 miles seem like a decent figure, the Tesla Model Y LR AWD offers more bang for the buck at $47,990.
The Model Y also has the advantage of a dual-motor configuration, offering better traction in slippery conditions, not to mention better efficiency. The Tesla crossover may have grown a little long in the tooth, but it comes with solid software and a polished ownership experience that no competitor can match.
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD 2LT (319 miles)
The Chevrolet Equinox EV is GM’s most affordable EV at the moment and is set to become even more affordable once the basic 1LT trim becomes available later this year. Although the Equinox EV is far from being the cheap EV GM wanted, it is still among the most affordable you can buy in the US. The 1LT trim will start sales at $34,995, compared to the promised $30,000 price.
Photo: Chevrolet
The cheapest you can buy now is 2LT, which starts at $43,295. All variants are available with front-wheel drive, which allows the Equinox EV to travel up to 319 miles (513 km) between charges. A quick comparison with the Model Y RWD, which is priced at $42,990, makes the Chevy look superior, considering that the Tesla has 260 miles of range. The range-topping LR AWD starts at $47,990, which is a little more expensive than the similar Equinox EV AWD 2LT ($45,595).
While the Chevy Equinox looks compelling on paper, it also has the disadvantage of less polished software. GM likely ironed out many issues with the Blazer EV’s software, which should be similar to the one in the Equinox EV. However, it’s still not on par with Tesla, which makes the lack of support for Android Auto/Apple CarPlay even more painful.
Cadillac Lyriq (314 miles)
The second Ultium-based EV in GM’s portfolio, the Cadillac Lyriq, is among the segment’s best offers. It offers impressive cabin space and plenty of comfort and safety features. Its luxury status means that Cadillac crammed a lot of goodies, and the price reflects that.
Photo: Cadillac
The Cadillac Lyriq starts at $58,590 for the Tech trim with rear-wheel drive, which is also the variant with the longest range, at 314 miles. I admit, that’s not much over the Tesla Model Y’s range, and the Tesla crossover also has the price advantage.
Considering the base price for the RWD variant (similar to the Cadillac Lyriq), the Tesla starts at $42,990, albeit for only 260 miles of range. The range-topping variant Model Y Long Range AWD costs $47,990 but offers a dual motor configuration and better specifications.
Tesla Model 3 LR AWD (341 miles) versus Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE LR RWD (361 miles)
The recently refreshed Model 3 is still among the longest-range EVs in its class, although one model spoiled the show: the Hyundai Ioniq 6. The bizarrely-shaped electric sedan leverages the aerodynamic advantages to squeeze every last drop of efficiency out of the E-GMP platform. This allows it to go up to 361 miles on a charge.
Photo: Chase Bierenkoven/autoevolution
To put things into perspective, the boxier-shaped Ioniq 5, which has a similar battery and drivetrain, barely inches above the 300-mile mark. The Ioniq 6 may be ugly by many accounts, but it can take you further than all other EVs in its class. This includes the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD, although choosing between the two might not come down to only range.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is not only the longest-range mid-size sedan, but it’s also cheaper than the Tesla Model 3. The SE Long Range RWD variant, which offers the longest range, starts at $42,450. This compares favorably with the Model 3 LR AWD, which sells for $47,740. Tesla Model 3 RWD, on the other hand, starts at $38,990, but its range is limited to only 272 miles.
Tesla Model S (402 miles) versus Lucid Air Grand Touring (516 miles)
Although no longer as popular as it once was, the Tesla Model S is still a benchmark of its segment. Not so much in the range department, though, considering that Lucid Air Grand Touring snatched the crown. Of course, there are other executive sedans powered by electricity, but only the Lucid Air has enough stamina to surpass the Tesla Model S.
Photo: Lucid
To be fair, all Lucid Air variants offer a better range than Tesla’s longest-range model. This allows Lucid Air to compete not only on range but also on price with the Tesla Model S. Not everyone is willing to pay $109,900 for the 512-mile Grand Touring trim. It’s good that Lucid offers the Air Pure with 419 miles of range for $69,900. Or, if you prefer an AWD variant, you can have the Air Touring for $77,900. This still has a better range than Tesla, at 411 miles.
Tesla Model X (335 miles) versus Rivian R1S (400 miles)
The atmosphere is even more rarefied in the Tesla Model X’s segment, with few options for people looking to buy a three-row SUV. The existing ones rarely offer a range comparable to the Model X, making Tesla still the range champion in the mid-size SUV segment.
Photo: Rivian
However, many considering a Tesla Model X also look at the Rivian R1S. Even though the R1S is classified as a full-size SUV, it’s only 2.5 inches (63.5 mm) longer than the Tesla Model X. Thanks to the recently launched Max battery pack, the Rivian R1S can go up to 400 miles on a range.
However, the R1S has a much higher price than the Model X, at $94,000 versus $77,990. If you can settle for only 352 miles of range, the R1S Dual-Motor Large pack is $10,000 cheaper, at $84,000. Besides the more spacious cabin, the R1S also has the advantage of a more rugged platform, offering genuine off-road capabilities.
