Electric cars are becoming more and more affordable as battery technology improves and is also cheaper to research and build. Tesla and other leading EV automakers have designed ‘cheaper’ electric cars, which are more readily available to the common person. One of these is the Tesla Model 3.

Updated April 2023: As the popularity of electric cars continues to rise, many car enthusiasts are looking beyond the Tesla Model 3 for alternative options. This updated list explores the six best electric vehicles and hybrids offering impressive features and performance that may entice buyers.

Tesla wanted the Model 3 to be a BMW 3-Series rival offering the same level of performance, comfort, and technology. While this was mostly true, the 3-Series still beat the Tesla in terms of build quality, reliability, and overall status. This does not mean that the Model 3 is a bad car – quite the contrary. With the world moving ever closer to producing fully electric vehicles, the Model 3 has a large amount of competition to keep at bay. Unfortunately for Tesla, many automakers have built cars that are better than the Model 3 in various aspects, whether range, performance, or practicality.

RELATED: 5 Reasons Why Plug-In Hybrids Are Better Than EVs (5 Reasons They Aren’t)

So, while the Model 3 is still a great option for anyone in the market for affordable 2023 electric cars, there are other eco-friendly alternatives available from trusted manufacturers which will get the job done just as well. Here are 5 of the best electric cars and 5 of the best hybrids to buy instead of the Tesla Model 3.

15 Electric – Kia EV6

2022 Kia EV6 GT
Kia

The EV6 is the Kia version of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and even though they look nothing alike, they're both some of the best electric cars in 2023. The EV6 has a sportier design and looks sleeker than the Ioniq 5. Being the same car underneath, the EV6 features mostly the same drivetrain options as the Hyundai, but with a noticeable difference.

The Kia EV6 has a top-of-the-line GT trim, which boosts the output from the top-tier Hyundai’s 320 hp and 446 lb-ft to a whopping 577 hp and 564 lb-ft of torque. This is all in a primarily family-orientated electric crossover hatchback! Unsurprisingly, many think the EV6 is already one of the best Korean cars ever.

14 Electric – Polestar 2

Polestar 2
Polestar

The Polestar 2 is the second – and more affordable – car from the Swedish manufacturer. It uses the Volvo XC40’s platform but with various modifications to make it stand out as a Polestar. The 2 is available in three trims: Standard Single, Long Single, and Long Dual. The first two trims have a single electric motor on the front axle, producing 230 hp and 240 lb-ft.

The top-tier trim has an electric motor on each axle, which produces a combined 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. The base model has a range of around 290 miles, while the mid-tier trim boasts 330 miles. Thanks to the extra motor and increased power in the dual-motor version, the range stands at only 299 miles.

Related: Here's How Polestar Became What They Are Today

13 Electric - Ford F-150 Lightning

2022 Ford-F-150 Lightning action shot
Ford

In 2021, Ford showed its commitment to EV production by introducing an electric version of its best-selling vehicle. The result was the F-150 Lightning, and it's already one of the best electric pickup trucks on the market.

The F-150 Lightning has the durability, capability, and productivity gearheads love in the regular F-150 but comes with a dual-motor system making up to 580 hp instead of an ICE.

12 Electric – BMW i3 Sedan

2023-BMW-i3-2
BMW Blog

Even though the new BMW i3 – now using the platform of the 3-Series sedan instead of being a dedicated electric hatchback – is only available in China, for the time being, it will no doubt become available all over the world. The new i3 is currently only available in eDrive35L trim and produces 280 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque from a single motor mounted on the rear axle.

The only battery option is a 70.3 KWh one, with a claimed range of around 327 miles. Like most of BMW’s electric cars, the i3 retains most of the internal combustion car’s styling – bar the blanked-off grille and aerodynamic wheels. Hopefully, the i3 will drive just as well as the normal 3-Series.

Related: This Is Why You Should Buy A 2018 BMW i3s

11 Electric – Ford Mustang Mach-E

2022 ford mustang mach-e
Ford

Despite the ill-fitting name (chosen purely for marketing purposes), the Mustang Mach-E has turned out to be quite a good electric car. The Mach-E is available with either rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive and has approximate ranges of between 250 and 380 miles – depending on trim level.

The Mustang Mach-E is also available in GT trim, which gives it 480 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque (634 lb-ft on the GT Performance Edition). The Mach-E won the 2021 EV of the Year award from Car and Driver, as opposed to the Tesla Model 3, as it had superior handling and road feel. While it is a great rival, it still has a stupid name.

10 Electric – Hyundai Ioniq 5

2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 EV Blue
Hyundai

The Ioniq 5 is the first car Hyundai marketed under the dedicated Ioniq sub-brand and was the first car they built using the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). The car is available as rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive and has three different battery capacity choices – 58KWh, 72.6KWh, and 77.4 kWh.

Power ranges from 170 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque in the base trim all the way to 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque in the Extra Long Range trim. The Ioniq 5 has so far proven itself to be a fantastic electric car and a brilliant Tesla rival. It has even won both the 2022 World Car of the Year and 2022 World Electric Car of the Year awards.

Related: 10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

9 Electric – Audi Q4 e-tron

Audi-Q4_e-tron-2022
Audi

Audi is among the German manufacturers with an early lead in the luxury EV segment. The Q4 e-tron is the latest model that hopes to keep the momentum going. It’s a smaller alternative to the e-tron SUV, measuring a foot shorter in length and boasting a lower price tag.

The Q4 e-tron shares its architecture with the Volkswagen ID.4, with the base model getting a rear-wheel-drive setup and a 265-mile range estimate. There are two versions of the Q4 e-tron, a 201 hp single motor Q4 40 e-tron, and a 295 hp dual motor Q4 50 e-tron.

8 Hybrid – Toyota Camry Hybrid

Front 3/4 view of a silver Camry XSE Hybrid on the move
Toyota

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is a fantastic car. It comes with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated i4, mated to an electric motor producing a combined 208 hp. The fuel economy for the Camry Hybrid is a claimed 52 MPG, a 30 percent increase over the previous Camry Hybrid.

The Camry Hybrid uses an eCVT transmission to blend the combustion engine and electric motor seamlessly. For anyone who thinks the Camry may be a bit too cheap, the Lexus ES is the same car, with better styling and a more premium interior.

Related: 2022 Toyota Camry: Costs, Facts, And Figures

7 Hybrid – Honda Accord Hybrid

2021 Honda Accord Hybrid
Honda

While sedans can't offer a high rider height or the practicality of an SUV, they make up for it with better fuel economy, lower purchase price, and improved handling. The Accord has been one of the best sedans for decades, with the 2023 model year marking the arrival of the new generation.

For the 2023 model year, the Honda Accord has a fresh style, inside and out. It also boasts new features and a choice of efficient powertrains. The hybrid versions of the Honda Accord have a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and two electric motors with a combined output of 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque.

6 Hybrid – VW Golf GTE

VW-Golf-8-GTE-Header
Volkswagen

The Volkswagen Golf GTE is the plug-in hybrid version of the extremely popular GTI and GTD. The GTI and GTD have 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engines (turbodiesel for the GTD), so the GTE draws its power from a 1.4-liter turbocharged i4, mated to an electric motor and a 13 kWh battery pack.

The GTE produces the same 241 hp as the GTI but more torque – all while returning excellent fuel economy. The GTE is slightly slower to 60 mph than the GTI, thanks to the added weight of the batteries. In addition, the Golf GTE can cover 37 miles in electric-only mode, making it perfect for town or city use.

Related: Why The Highly-Popular Volkswagen Golf Is Being Discontinued

5 Hybrid – BMW 330e

bmw 330e
BMW

The BMW 330e debuted in 2019 and has the same engine as the normal 320i but with an added electric motor. This results in a power figure of 248 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. While it has slightly less power than the 330i, it achieves a claimed fuel economy rating of 75 MPGe.

The 3-Series is the best sedan in its class, and adding the 330e was a great improvement. The 330e still has the same 8-speed automatic transmission as the normal 3-Series, unlike many other hybrids which get CVTs. In addition to the great economy, the 330e can cover around 41 miles in electric-only mode.

4 Hybrid - 2023 Toyota Prius

2023-toyota-prius-exterior-front-top-angle
Toyota

The Toyota Prius has always been on the list of the ugliest Japanese cars ever since its debut about two decades ago. Not anymore. The new Prius generation debuted a few months ago and shocked everyone with its new sporty design.

Toyota has also made huge improvements in the 2023 Toyota Prius performance, as the top trim makes up to 220 hp. The days of gearheads calling the Prius boring are clearly over!

Related: This Is How The Toyota Prius Remains A Formidable Contender In 2023

3 Hybrid – Lexus UX

2022 Lexus UX front third quarter arial view
Lexus

Like the Volvo XC40, the Lexus UX is a statement in style. Where the Volvo takes the minimalist approach, the Lexus is all angles and creases – yet it still looks stylish. The UX is the smallest crossover/SUV in Lexus’ line-up and has received plenty of praise for its low center of gravity and body rigidity.

The UX comes with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-4, which on its own produces 143 hp. Luckily, Lexus added an electric motor into the mix. The UX250h available in the US produced a combined 181 hp, going to either the front wheels only or all four via an eCVT transmission.

Related: 10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2022 Lexus UX250h

2 Hybrid – Toyota Crown

2023_Toyota-Crown_Platinum
Toyota

For the 2023 model year, Toyota reintroduces the Crown into the U.S. market as a replacement for the Toyota Avalon sedan. The Crown is almost the same size as the Volkswagen Arteon and Honda Accord but boasts a high seating position and a tall roofline.

Besides its unique design, the Crown has an eye-catching design, especially in the optional two-tone color scheme. The Crown also uses Toyota’s hybrid drive system, with the base model featuring a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and a motor on the rear axle for a combined 236 hp. Toyota also offers a punchier option with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and two electric motors for a combined 340 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.

1 Hybrid – Volvo XC40 T5 Recharge

2023 Volvo XC40 
Volvo

Volvo has updated its XC40 range with various hybrid Recharge trims – not to be mistaken with the electric Recharge trims. It’s all a bit confusing. The hybrid models all feature a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-3 engine mated to an electric motor. There are three hybrid versions – T4, T5, and T5 AWD.

The base T4 produces 210 hp, the T5 makes 260 hp, and the T5 AWD tops at 305 hp. The XC40 Recharge is a great car with excellently minimalist Scandinavian styling – much in the proper Volvo manner. The XC40 may be a bit on the expensive side, but it is definitely a car worth the money.