After years of having to get them through grey Markey dealers, Tesla is now officially in the country. For its local debut, it’s offering two models for local consumers, the Model 3 and Model Y.
These EVs have been around for quite some time already. Both have had their fans and detractors, but have proven popular over the years. In fact, the Model Y was the world’s best-selling car of 2023.
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The thing is, Tesla arrived in the country in a time where there’s loads of competition. It’s facing stiff competition from the Japanese, Germans, Koreans, and the Chinese. So, what are Tesla’s main competitors here? Let’s take a look at them
Tesla Model 3: The competition
Perhaps the most obvious one here recently launched BYD Seal. It’s a good match for the top-spec model, the Model 3 Performance. Both do the 0 to 100kph sprint under four seconds, and both are touted at performance EV sedans. Mind you, the Seal costs much less than the Performance at P2,548,000 versus P3,099,000.
From the European front, going toe to toe against the Model 3 is the BMW i4. The i4 has two variants that can match the Tesla, namely the eDrive35, and the sportier M50. In terms of power output and range, both variants of the i4 are close to the Model 3.
Mind you, you’ll have to pay a premium for the BMW roundel. The i4 starts at P4,490,000 for the eDrive35, over P2,000,000 more than the comparable Model 3 Long Range. The price difference is even greater when you compare the i4 M50 and Model 3 Performance. The M50 retails for P5,990,000, nearly double the Tesla.
So, in terms of size, positioning, and performance, the Model 3 only has two true competitors here. Mind you, it’s worth pointing out that there are some honorable mentions here.
The BYD Han, a far larger model, can be had for about the same price as the Model 3 Performance, although it doesn’t go quite as fast as the Tesla. There’s also the MG4 XPower, but that’s more a hot hatch than sport sedan.
Tesla Model Y: The main rivals
So, the list of Model 3 competitors is relatively short. However, the same couldn’t be said for the Model Y. Locally, there are far more EV crossovers than sedans offered here, so the Model Y does have a lot of work to do.
We’ll kick things off with the BMW iX3. It’s about the same size as the Model Y and has the same on-paper performance as the entry-level Tesla crossover. Again, the BMW is more expensive with an SRP of P4,990,000, over twice as much as the base Model Y (P2,369,000) and nearly double the mid-spec dual-motor Long Range (P2,689,000). That said, there will be an all-new iX3 coming down the line.
Sticking to the German theme, the Mercedes-Benz EQB is an interesting Teutonic alternative. While smaller than the iX3 and Model Y, it is less expensive compared to its German rival at P4,290,000. The Tesla does hit back at the Mercedes by offering its top-spec high-performance Model Y at P3,299,000.
What about the Chinese manufacturers, you’re probably asking. There’s the BYD Han, but it’s one whole size class larger than the Model Y. However, it does offer more space and practicality for around the same price as the Model Y Performance at P3,321,000.
However, it’s the Seres 5 SF that’s more similar on paper, at least when comparing size and performance of their respective range-toppers. The Seres 5 SF does offer more power with 577hp on tap versus the Model Y Performance’s 456hp. Because of that, you’ll have to pay for a bit of a premium for the Seres which retails for P3,880,000.
But we’re saving what could be the most significant rival of the Model Y for last. We are, of course, talking about the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and yes, it’s classified as a crossover. Like the Tesla, the Ioniq 5 is offered in standard and long-range versions, as well as a high-performance model.
Yes, there’s still a bit of a price difference. The Hyundais start at over P3,000,000 (P3,068,000 for the standard and P3,698,000 for the Long Range), but the Ioniq 5 in general has impressed us a lot during the times we had it around the office. We’re not even at the hot Ioniq 5 N yet. We think the Model Y can put up a decent fight against what is, so far, our favorite EV crossover.
