Before anyone knew electric cars would explode in popularity, Tesla took a gamble on them which has paid off a thousand-fold. First, they released the Roadster—which wasn’t all that successful, to be honest. Then came the Model S, Model X, Model 3, and finally, the Model Y.

Updated November 2022: Even though Tesla wasn't the first company to produce a fully electric car, but it was the first to bring one to market successfully. Over the years, Tesla has made many breakthroughs within the EV industry. Despite this, the Model X is among the most expensive versions on the market. Below is an updated list of better electric and hybrid options to consider over the Model X.

The largest of the Tesla range, the Model X, didn’t have the easiest time coming into this world. Delayed for 18 months, Tesla eventually launched it in 2015. The reason for the delay was safety—particularly relating to the rear Falcon doors. They are intuitive and cool but require many systems to work together smoothly to operate safely. When the Model X finally went on sale, it was a relative success—even with the high starting price. Recently, the Model X has gotten slight updates and now comes available with the same powertrain as the Model S Plaid—meaning 1,020 hp and triple electric motors.

While the Model X is a fantastic choice of electric SUV—any type of SUV, for that matter — there are alternatives, especially ones which cost less than the $112,590 starting price. With that, here are five electric and five hybrid SUVs we’d rather have over a Tesla Model X.

10 Electric – BMW iX xDrive50

2022BMW_iXM60
via: BMW

The BMW iX is the first and so far, only bespoke electric car the German marque has produced. Where most other companies build their electric cars from the ground up, BMW uses its ICE-platformed cars and converts them. This creates design and ergonomic constraints but is less expensive in the long run. The iX in North America starts from around $84,100.

2022 BMW iX 50 gets slim LED taillamps
Via: Press.bmwgroup.com

It is available in three different trim levels—xDrive40, xDrive50, and M60. The xDrive40 has dual motors, which produce a combined 322 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, and thanks to the 76.6 kWh battery, has a range of about 250 miles. The xDrive50 has an upgraded 111.5 kWh battery, produces 516 hp and 564 lb-ft of torque, and has a range of around 370 miles. Finally, the recently launched M60 is the most powerful version, producing 610 hp and 811 lb-ft of torque. This is nowhere near the Model X’s 670 hp, but it is still cheaper to buy.

Related: 10 Coolest Features Of The 2022 BMW iX

9 Electric – Mercedes-Benz EQC

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQC
Via Mercedes-BenzWorldWide

The Mercedes-Benz EQC was the marque’s first electric vehicle and showed that an electric car didn’t have to look bland. Based on a fully bespoke electric platform, the EQC comes as standard with dual motors and introduced the electric version of Mercedes-Benz’s 4Matic system.

Mercedes-Benz EQC
Via Mercedes-Benz

The EQC, like many normal all-wheel-drive cars, primarily runs in front-drive mode, and the rear motor kicks in when there's slip. It uses an 80 kWh battery, good for around 250 miles of range. The EQC has a maximum power output of 400 hp and a starting price of around $87,500 in Europe.

8 Electric – Kia EV6

Kia EV6, Silver
Via Kia 

The Kia EV6 is a crossover-type SUV, mixed with a sporty hatchback design. While it cannot quite decide in which segment it must be in, there is no doubt that it is a good car. The EV6 starts at around $48,500 for a 321 hp version, rising to $57,400 for the GT-Line with most options ticked.

Kia EV6
VIA: KIA Motors

The EV6 has a range of around 274 miles for the all-wheel-drive versions, with the single motor trims extending the range to about 310 miles. Kia has also announced the EV6 GT, which will have 570 hp – making it the most powerful car Kia has ever made.

Related: Why We Would Buy The Kia EV6 Over A Tesla Model 3

7 Electric – Audi e-tron S

Front 3/4 view of the e-tron S
Audi

The Audi e-tron was the first of the e-tron sub-brand to be released to the public. The original version had dual motors and produced up to 400 hp. The new e-tron S is currently the most powerful electric SUV Audi makes—producing nearly 500 hp and 720 lb-ft from its three electric motors.

Audi e-tron S 2
Via Audi

The e-tron S has a starting price of $88,200—$24,000 less than the Model X—and offers many options as standard. The only unfortunate aspect of the vehicle is that because of the increased power, the range is only good for around 208 miles. This is from a 95 kWh battery. Luckily, the battery can charge from 5% to 80% in just 30 minutes.

6 Electric – Rivian R1S

Front 3/4 view of the R1S
Rivian

Rivian has begun deliveries on their new R1S SUV—based on the R1T pickup truck. The R1S shares most of the design, however, it unfortunately gets rid of the exceptional ‘Gear Tunnel’ aft of the rear seats. The drivetrain of the R1S is like the R1T, with the top-spec model having the same quad-motor setup.

The rear of the R1S
Via Rivian

While the Launch Edition has already sold out, the dual-motor versions are still available. The R1S, even in top-spec trim, is cheaper than the Model S, costing $92,000 for the same ridiculous 835 hp. The lower trims still boast 600 hp and start from around the $78,000 mark. All the versions on sale have a claimed range of over 300 miles.

5 Hybrid – Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
Via Jeep

Jeep recently launched the new Grand Cherokee, and with it, Stellantis launched a new hybrid version. Called the 4xe—like the Wrangler hybrid—the drivetrain features a new 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine mated to an electric motor, producing a combined 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque.

2022-Jeep-Grand-Cherokee-4xe-PHEV-front-three-quarters-via-stellantis
Via Stellantis

The Grand Cherokee 4xe has a claimed fuel economy of 55 MPGe and an electric-only range of 26 miles. The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is a great alternative to the V6 and V8 powertrains, still available with all the off-roading features and equipment, all while using less fuel.

Related: Here's Why The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Could Be A Game Changer

4 Hybrid – Volvo XC90 Recharge

2022-volvo-xc90
Via: Volvo

The Volvo XC90 Recharge is the new name for the T8 TwinEngine. With the renaming, Volvo also updated the vehicle to produce more power, have better efficiency, and improved infotainment. The new XC90 Recharge produces 455 hp instead of the previous 400 hp, does a claimed 180 MPGe, and can run on electricity alone for over 60 miles.

Rear 3/4 view of the Volvo XC90
Volvo

While this sounds impressive, we must take it with a grain of salt, as claimed figures are usually nowhere near real-world numbers. What isn’t to be questioned though, is the styling of the XC90—or any Volvo for that matter—as they are beautifully minimalist and have excellent build quality. This is all for $71,900 as opposed to well over the $100,000 for the Tesla.

3 Hybrid – Range Rover Sport P400e

2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Via-Edmunds

The Range Rover Sport is famous for its great, big 5.0-liter supercharged V8 and terrible fuel consumption. What some consumers may not know is that JLR has one of the best luxury hybrid SUV versions with 400 hp ready to go.

Range Rover Sport 2
Via Land Rover

The Range Rover Sport P400e has a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine mated to an electric motor, which results in a real-world rating of around 50 MPGe. The upcoming Range Rover Sport P400e ditches the 4-cylinder for a 6-cylinder and promises to be better in every way.

Related: 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport: Costs, Facts, And Figures

2 Hybrid – BMW X5 xDrive45e

BMW X5 xDrive45e PHEV Via Top Gear
Via Top Gear

The BMW X5 is the mid-tier SUV offering from the sporty German marque and their hybrid X5 xDrive45e is pretty good. The 45e starts from around $65,700 and comes fitted with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6, mated to an electric motor to produce 389 hp.

2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e
Via BMW

The xDrive45e has an electric-only range of around 30 miles and can drive up to 84 mph without using the gasoline engine at all. The 45e has a 24 kWh battery pack and when combined with the gasoline engine in full hybrid mode, achieves an economy rating of 46 MPGe.

1 Hybrid – Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring

Lincoln Aviator 2022
Via Lincoln

The Lincoln Aviator is a superb-looking SUV. Not quite as large as the Navigator, but not small either. The Aviator is fitted as standard with a 400 hp 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, mated to Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission.

Rear 3/4 view of the Aviator
Via Lincoln

The Grand Touring trim adds a hybrid drivetrain, complementing the EcoBoost V6 with an electric motor, boosting power to nearly 500 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. While it's among the best 2023 luxury hybrid SUVs, the drivetrain is not as smooth as the German counterparts and thanks to the relatively small 13.6 kWh battery pack only offers an electric-only range of 15 miles. Still, with the $69,190 starting price, the Aviator is an excellent alternative to the wildly expensive Tesla Model X.