One of the most hyped-up cars coming in 2022, the new Tesla Roadster has several advantages compared to other sports cars, especially EV sports cars which still have a minimal presence on the market. There's the zero-60 mph time of fewer than 2 seconds, and a top speed of 250 mph—much faster than any other Tesla, including the S Plaid model that failed to deliver on its 200-mph promise. Take note, however, these numbers are based on the prototype tests when the car was unveiled in 2017, and several important details about the car, like its engine specs, remain unknown.
The car also has incredible range. Tesla advertises that the Roadster can last over 600 miles before needing a recharge, which is phenomenal because the average EV usually only lasts 300 miles. But as the EV market grows, Tesla’s dominance continues to slip, especially as other companies have begun to make EVs that are more affordable than Teslas. The base reservation for a Roadster so far is $50,000, and that is only for the reservation, after modifications and upgrades one is easily going to pay over $200,000. Some cars are more desirable than the Tesla Roadster.
8 Rivian R1T
While Rivian’s R1T might seem more fitting competition for an EV like Ford’s F-150 Lightning, it can provide ample competition for the Roadster and most other Tesla Models. For one thing, it is already available for purchase and selling respectably well.
Also, the car is impressively fast for a truck thanks to its electric powertrain. With 835 horsepower on tap, this EV truck has quite a power unit, and although still pricey it is unquestionably more affordable than the Roadster, the starting sticker price for an R1T is around $67,000. The battery range however is still far less than Tesla’s, like most EVs it comes to between 300 and 350 miles.
7 Porsche Taycan
Porsche entered the EV market with this sleek model, and it has plenty going for it. The Taycan has horsepower that can hit over 610 hp and a zero-60 time of 5 seconds. Its battery range is less than the Tesla Roadsters, only coming to 212 miles as its maximum range, but it does get the equivalent of 79 MPG combined fuel economy compared to a gas-burning sports car.
When it comes to price it is relatively close to the Tesla’s, yet it is still less. The Taycan base model starts at around $83,000, and its top-of-the-line Trim, the Turbo S, can cost over $185,000.
6 Lotus Evora GT
While it is not an EV, the Lotus Evora GT is a practical alternative to the Tesla Roadster when it comes to price range, base models start at $96,000 and an advantage this car has over others is the options between a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. It has a V6 engine capable of 416 hp.
This car made it to the list over Lotus’s EV sports car, the Evija, for one simple reason, cost. Although the Tesla Roadster is expensive, the Lotus Evija costs over $2 million! This is because the company is limiting production to a couple of hundred units.
5 Ford Mustang Mach E
Although the Roadster looks more like a classic sports car than the Mach-E, which has a sort of crossover sedan style exterior, the Mach-E is reliable, affordable, well-reviewed, and has already outperformed one other Tesla according to Consumer Reports.
The Mach-E has up to 480 horsepower, a 300-mile battery range, a starting price of $43,000, and a 0-60 MPH time of only 3 seconds, making it one of the fastest on this list. It replaced the Tesla S Plaid as Consumer Reports EV pick of 2022.
4 Audi E-Tron GT
This car could easily outdo the Tesla Roadster on the market because it is one of the closest matches to the cars promised specs on this list. The engine’s 469 horsepower help push the car to its 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds.
Also, the E-Tron GT is closely matched to the Roadster in price, starting at $102,000. The GT comes in 3 different trim levels, Platinum Plus, Prestige, and RS. The GT has also gotten some great reviews, Forbes called it “sexier than a Tesla.” However, its battery range only comes to 238 miles.
3 BMW I8
BMW has promised all their cars will be either EVs or plug-in hybrids by 2030. With a nearly century-long record of combining both luxury, performance, and endurance, Tesla should be scared of this one. The hybrid I8 starts at around $150,000 and its battery range can be pushed to 300 miles, though it is not recommended.
It also has 349 horsepower and a zero - 60 time of 4.2 seconds. Buyers have their choice of either a hardtop coupe or convertible trim and they all come with the plush leather interior that BMWs are famous for.
2 Acura NSX
Another plug-in hybrid sports car that might be a smarter alternative to the all-electric Tesla Roadster is the Acura NSX. 600 horsepower, a nine-speed transmission make it a formidable opponent to Tesla.
The Acura NSX is close in price, although slightly more expensive. The sticker price starts at $169,500. It can hit 60 MPH in less than 3 seconds and has a top speed of 190 mph. It may not be electric, but it seems to be the design that inspired Tesla's Roadster in the first place, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
1 Porsche 918 Spyder
Concluding the list is yet another Porsche and another plug-in hybrid. It is also the most expensive car to make it to this list. The 918 Spyder has 887 hp and a zero - 60 time of 2.2 seconds, making it the closest to the Roadster on this list.
However, the car is incredibly expensive, even compared to the cars on this list. Porsche 918’s start at over $800,000. So the car is a close competitor to Tesla when it comes to performance, but not when it comes to price. However, this starting price is still much cheaper than several electric sports cars like the previously mentioned Lotus Evija.