originated with a dedication to electric vehicles, and they have maintained their commitment, dominating all corners of the EV market with models like the

Model 3

and

Model X

It’s no secret that Tesla’s electric vehicles have managed to dominate the global market, specifically because all other car manufacturers have simply failed to deliver products that match the performance and allure of a Tesla. Tesla has established a robust supply chain—in part, courtesy of its ability to monopolize raw materials used to make the highly sought-after computer chips that have been in such short supply in recent years.

But is buying a Tesla really worth it? Realistically, it depends onhow much money you can spend and how long you’re willing to wait. For more details on Tesla’s EV lineup,

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Does Tesla have electric cars?

Asking whether Tesla has electric cars is like asking if Cinnabon has cinnamon buns. Yes. That’s what they make! In fact, Tesla only makes battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which run on state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries to power their peppy engines with zero emissions.

2022 Tesla Model 3

Starting price: $48,490

Powertrain: Standard Range Plus (single motor, RWD, 340 hp/330 lb-ft torque), Long Range (dual-motor, AWD, 447 hp/376 lb-ft torque), or Performance (dual-motor, AWD, 580 hp/481 lb-ft torque)

Driving range: 272 miles (Standard Range Plus) to 358 miles (Long Range)

Charging time: 36 to 50h at 110V, 8.5 at 220V

The Model 3 is Tesla’s entry-level model, a sedan that has yet to achieve fair affordability for average U.S. citizens. And since Tesla has refused to cooperate with third-party dealerships, there are a good number of states where you simply can’t buy a Tesla.

There’s no question that the Model 3 is a great car, so why do so few people seem to have one?. Tesla Model 3s are currently in a production crisis—they simply can’t make them fast enough to meet demand. In fact, it’s slightly more expensiveto buy a 2019 Model 3 than a new model because people are willing to pay extra to get their car sooner. Ridiculously long wait times are a frustrating symptom that specifically plagues Tesla’s more affordable models.

But if you are lucky enough to get your hands on a Model 3, you’ll certainly be treated to an incredible driving experience—these things can go, with the Performance model reaching 60 mph from a stop in just 3.1 seconds. Tesla’s standard Autopilot system is also a huge game-changer in terms of

accident prevention

MORE:

Tesla Model 3 towing capacity

2022 Tesla Model Y

Starting price: $64,990

Powertrain: Long Range (dual-motor, AWD, 447 hp/376 lb-ft torque), or Performance (dual-motor, AWD, 580 hp/481 lb-ft torque)

Driving range: 303 miles (Performance) to 330 miles (Long Range)

Charging time: 8.5 hours at 220 volts

The

Tesla Model Y

—which is basically just an SUV-ified Model 3—immediately takes the remainder of Tesla’s models and sends them into luxury territory, with price tags that can surpass $80K if you’re not careful in choosing options wisely.

While the Model 3 is still standard as a single motor RWD, the Model Y only comes with the Long Range or Performance drivetrains, the exact same drivetrain setups for the upper-level Model 3s. Both versions are available with some optional cramped 3-row seating, but it’s the best we’re going to get for now, given the size of the batteries.

While Autopilot is standard, Model Y owners can opt for Full Self-Driving Capability for an additional $12,000. This feature uses the Tesla Navigate system to take you to your destination, employing automatic lane changingand parking.

MORE: Consumer Reports gave the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E the recognition it deserved

2022 Tesla Model S

Starting price: $104,490

Powertrain: Dual AC motors w/670 hp or triple AC motors w/1,020 hp

Driving range: 348 miles (Plaid w/21-inch wheels) to 405 (Long Range w/19-inch wheels)

Charging time: 89h at 110V, 8.5h at 220V

The Tesla Model S must stand for spicy because this is where Tesla’s vehicle lineup really heats up. S aims to rival the most impressive modern premium sedans coming out of Europe, and it does so in part by placing two or threeelectric motors in it—and cleverly using them to aid in handling and responsiveness.

The Model 3 Plaid fetches an extra $36K. It boasts a 2 second 0-60 mph time—but this is measured without rollout, a different method than what was used for the fastest gas combustion speedsters. But don’t get us wrong, the Model S Plaid is fast and undeniably fun to drive, especially with its futuristic torque-vectoring AWD and intuitive adaptive suspension that rivals even Audi’s.

2022 Tesla Model X

Starting price: $104,490

Powertrain: Dual AC motors w/670 hp or triple AC motors w/1,020 hp

Driving range: 311 miles (Plaid w/22-inch wheels) to 348 miles (Long Range)

Charging time: 89h at 110V, 8.5h at 220V

If you took the time to look at the Powertrain specs, you’ll notice that the Tesla Model X is to the Model S what the Model Y is to the Model 3. Remember that word we used earlier? SUV-ified.

Model X families don’t even need to worry about the kids getting bored during long car rides, because these SUVs come equipped with a gaming computer with processing power equivalent to a Playstation 5.

How do Tesla’s electric cars compare to competitors?

Tesla’s EVs are the best on the market if you’re looking for high-tech features and incredible range—but if you’re on a budget, you’ll likely be frustrated by Tesla’s immediately luxury-level price tags.

By monopolizing raw materials and cornering the market—textbook business moves in the automotive industry—Tesla has managed to make the best EVs available. The downside of Tesla isn’t the cars themselves, but the fact that the company hasn’t followed through with manufacturing enough affordable single-motor BEVs to meet demand in a market they intentionally bottlenecked.

Any Tesla is an impressive feat of engineering, but the company’s dedication to excess rather than affordability is proof that Tesla is more interested in turning profits than actually helping solve the emissions crisis.

Ultimately, choosing a Tesla comes down to a question of how many AC motors you’re willing to pay for—and whether you want a sedan or SUV. Even a car with a single Tesla motor is beyond sufficiently equipped for great performance.

If you’re not interested in driving a Tesla—maybe you just don’t like the weird “yoke” steering wheels—there are other luxury brands still doing what they do best and coming very close to what Tesla has been able to achieve in their engineering over the past few years.

While Tesla receives top marks overall for the quality of its product, there are certainly areas where it could be better. Here’s how Tesla’s specs measure up to other competing EVs.

Driving range and charging time

It tends to seem like the first stat anyone is concerned with when judging the quality of an electric vehicle is range, but charging time figures right alongside this concern. People don’t want to wait around for their car to charge, and they don’t want to have to charge often.

We already know that Teslas have an unbeatable range—and given that range, their charging times are more than fair. Tesla claims “up to 320 miles”of range after 15 minutes of fast charging.

Let’s compare ranges and charge times between Tesla’s EV lineup and some of their top competitors.

Model	Driving range	Charging time at 220v	Charging time w DC fast charger
2022 Tesla Model Y	303-330 miles	8.5 hrs	10-80% in under 30 min
2022 Tesla Model X	311-348 miles	8.5 hrs	10-80% in under 30 min
2022 Tesla Model 3	272-358 miles	8.5 hrs	10-80% in under 30 min
2022 Tesla Model S	348-405 miles	8.5 hrs	10-80% in under 30 min
2022 Ford E-Transit	126 miles	8 hrs	15-80% in 34 min
2022 Kia EV6	310 miles	7 hrs	10-80% in 18 mins
2022 Kia Niro EV	239 miles	9 hrs	10-80% in 1 hr
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5	220-303 miles	6 hrs	10-80% in 18 min
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric	258 miles	10 hrs	10-80% in 75 min
2022 Volkswagen ID.4	280 miles	7.5 hrs	0-80% in 38 min

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Performance

We’ve touched on performance a bit already, and it should go without saying at this point that if you can get over the getting-used-to that electric vehicles require, Teslas can be incredibly fun to drive. If you don’t want to have to worry about delivering great driving skills for great performance, you can always opt for all of Tesla’s incredible driver-assistance features.

Battery-powered drivetrains like Tesla’s have major advantages in pumping out record levels of horsepower and torque, allowing Teslas to post some of the most impressive 0-to-60 mph times we’ve ever seen:

Model	Maximum horsepower	Maximum torque	0 to 60 time
2022 Tesla Model Y	est. 480 hp	375 lb-ft	4.8 seconds
2022 Tesla Model X	1,020 hp	713 lb-ft	3.8 seconds
2022 Tesla Model 3	340 hp	330 lb-ft	4.2 seconds
2022 Tesla Model S	1,020 hp	713 lb-ft	3.1 seconds
2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E	480 hp	634 lb-ft	5.1 seconds
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning	563 hp	775 lb-ft	est. 4.5 seconds
2022 Ford E-Transit	266 hp	317 lb-ft	N/A
2022 Kia EV6	576 hp	446 lb-ft	4.5 seconds
2022 Kia Niro EV	201 hp	291 lb-ft	6.2 seconds
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5	320 hp	446 lb-ft	4.5 seconds
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric	201 hp	290 lb-ft	6.4 seconds
2022 Volkswagen ID.4	295 hp	339 lb-ft	5.4 seconds

Reliability

Unfortunately, reliability is where Tesla has consistently had a near-failing track record. According to a recent U.K. survey, 39 percent of Teslas had at least one mechanical issue in its first four years, with half of those being no-start/immobile breakdowns.

Consumer Reports gives Tesla the 27th spot out of 28 for overall reliability ratings, with the Model Y making their list of the “10 most unreliable cars.” The Model 3 gets average ratings, but unless you wanna slap an extra motor or two in that bad boy, it’s going to be a long wait to get one.

Cost of ownership

If you’re thinking of buying a Tesla EV and you’ve made it this far through this article, you’re probably aware already that Tesla doesn’t score very high on the affordability scale, either. Even worse news is that they’re no longer eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit.

You will definitely save on gas and look good doing it in a new Tesla, but just how much do common costs add up to when owning one?

Let’s imagine that you manage to get a new 220 Standard Range Tesla Model 3 sometime this year. Here’s how the cost of ownership will likely shape up over 5 years of that vehicle’s life using

Edmunds' True Cost to Own tool

Insurance: $10,985

Maintenance: $2,734

Repairs: $5,775

Taxes and fees: $5,208

Financing: $4,328

Depreciation: $22,305

Fuel: $4,384

Tax credit: N/A

All this brings the overall cost of ownership to $55,719, more than $5K more than the original MSRP of $49,091.

For some perspective, let’s compare to a BMW 330i base model, one of the Model 3’s top gas-burning competitors. A base model BMW 3 Series will cost you about $9K more to fuel up over the course of 5 years—and while its MSRP is $51,165, its cost of ownership amounts to $63,897, nearly $8,000 more than the Model 3.

So again, if you have the money to burn initially, you will save money in the long run—especially as gas prices continue to rise to astronomical levels.

MORE: Are there hidden costs of owning an electric vehicle?

How to decide if going electric is right for you

Tesla has been changing the automotive industry with their standard-setting electric vehicles, but they are certainly not for everyone—especially if you live in one of the many states where they still aren’t even sold yet. Here are some other questions to ask yourself before getting a Tesla:

Do you have access to public charging stations? Tesla’s home chargers are great, but if you like long trips, you’ll want to make sure there are charging stations installed along the highways you take.

How many miles do you drive each day? Gas-powered vehicles still have the advantage of not making you wait very long to get back on the road after you’ve emptied the tank, so if you need to drive around the city all day without stopping for longer than 5 minutes for some reason, get something you can pump full of gasoline.

How often do you go on trips over 200-300 miles? Most people driving lots of miles in the city will be fine with a charging breaking every 300 miles or so, but if you want to go on long road trips, you’re at a disadvantage.

Do you have a garage at home? You need a safe, sheltered place to charge your Tesla.

Do you need a vehicle with towing capacity?

Tesla’s SUVs do have a degree of towing capacity

, but towing could reduce range by about half.

Tesla’s electric future

While we continue to wait for the long-heralded Cybertruck, we can be sure that Tesla’s future will of course continue to be all-electric. It may be a while before the company has the resources to pour into developing a new model to add to their current four, given the challenges they currently face in overcoming the current global supply chain crisis (that they may have had a hand in creating).

MORE:

Car insurance for green vehicle

Plan for the future with affordable car insurance

Although Teslas are equipped with brilliant robot brains that are designed to prevent you from running into things—like the invisible bumpers in Mario Kart—people still somehow manage to crash them. No matter what Tesla you drive, make sure you insure it with a plan that will have your luxury investment protected.

And luckily, while Tesla has been innovating with their electric cars,

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