2019 Tesla Model 3 vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

The Tesla Model 3 was originally pitched as Tesla’s mass-market offering, and it stays true to that only if your definition of the mass-market mostly includes models with a luxury badge.

The Model 3 starts at $36,200, and its top-of-the-line price approaches $70,000.

So at the base level that makes the Model 3 an alternative to the Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro EV, Chevrolet Bolt EV, or Nissan Leaf Plus.

All of those offer a driving range of more than 200 miles, but they fall more in the appliance category than the Model 3.

The Leaf Plus is a dedicated electric vehicle and more widely available, but the Niro EV and Kona Electric are limited to states observing California’s electric-vehicle mandate (and a few other places).

Tesla has a different kind of issue in that franchise law makes its vehicles difficult to sell (and occasionally service) in some states.

The Jaguar I-Pace starts at $70,495 and has a disappointing real-world driving range and an underwhelming interface—although its driving dynamics are great and its cabin is very luxurious and well-detailed.

The closest rival we foresee to the Model 3, Volvo’s Polestar 2, won’t arrive until sometime in 2020.