I just rented a Polestar for an upcoming trip. It was by far the cheapest vehicle across every category. I’m only paying $36.11 for a day.
I’m hoping they’ll be using both a nut and bolt, but then, I’m not an engineer repairing the Tesla CyberDumpster.
I had the …(mis?)fortune to come across a Macan 4s electric over the weekend. It is beautiful. It also has a high price tag… which whether intentional or otherwise , is almost identical to the Tesla model x price tag. I know which one I’d go for at that cost!
I picture Rosie the Riveter riveting the trim to the body of one of these jalopies…
We have met a 2025 Lexus RZ today. I think my husband is sold on its features! No “frunk” - that is where the motor and the other “guts” are housed. We are going back to do a test drive next weekend.
For the people that may not know, the Lexus RZ shares the same platform and some components as the Toyota bZ4X. More power and higher price point, of course. It’s the 2nd year of the platform, since the bZ4X was introduced in 2024.
It’s very nice, of course. Lexus is awesome.
I checked local used Tesla prices today to see how cheap they are selling for. You can buy a 2020 Model 3 long range AWD with around 65k miles on it, and excellent remaining battery range for about $19,000. I have no idea if that’s lower than in the past, or not.
What I found really interesting, though, was the cost comparison between the estimated EV cost vs. ICE vehicles. I was surprised that the difference was so low.
The Subaru Solterra is another related vehicle.
The Lexus RZ has a much more luxurious interior, with the usual Lexus feel (versus some other brand feel) to it, as to be expected with the Lexus versus Toyota brand related vehicles.
In terms of the EV aspects, the RZ300e (2WD) with 18" wheels is the most efficient with the highest range of all of these related vehicles, beating out the bZ4X 2WD in the EPA ratings. RZ450e (AWD) or 20" wheels will take significant penalties in efficiency and range. Note that the RZ300e also has a slightly larger battery capacity than the RZ450e, in addition to being more efficient.
The fast charging speed curve is not that great compared to some other EVs, so that may be a something to look into if you intend to use the vehicle on road trips.
The comparison depends a lot on:
- The price of electricity that you will use for an EV. Note that fast charging is commonly more expensive than off-peak home charging.
- The price of gasoline or diesel that you will use for an ICEV.
- The electricity efficiency of the EV. This can be affected by your driving habits.
- The fuel efficiency of the ICEV. This can be affected by your driving habits.
Comparisons of this nature depend a lot on the above assumptions.
Graphs comparing how 2020 Model 3 and 2020 Prius prices have changed over time are below and summarized in table below. While prices of used EVs often rapidly decline during the first few years of ownership (partially relates to EV credits), there does not seem to be a decline in used Tesla prices corresponding to the decline in reputation.
Given the current political climate, I’d require a much steeper discount than this to buy one. In my area, there have been recent posts on my Nextdoor involving Tesla owners having car keyed (with video); nearly being run off road and had accident while being told to “die” by another driver; had foods, drinks, and other items thrown at cars; regularly being flipped off while driving; swastikas drawn on cars + protests at showroom/dealership; etc.
Past 30 Days (median of 2018-2022) – Model 3 down 1%, Prius down 1%
Past 90 Days (median of 2018-2022) – Model 3 down 5%, Prius down 5%
The Lexus has two features that the Toyota version does not offer, and my husband is hell bent on getting them! 
I’d be fine with a Toyota… have extensive experience making used Corollas for the kids. 
Our office has a parking lot with EV chargers provided at no cost to employees. I wonder how many of them do most of their charging at work!
When we bought our Tesla back in 2014 H’s company had one free EV charger in the parking lot. H was the only EV driver at the time, so that was almost exclusively where he charged the car. Over the years more employees bought them so they started a scheduling system.
My comment was only meant to let folks know that this would be the 2nd model year of that platform.
I personally avoid buying the 1st model year of a brand new model.
I’m not read up, what are those two features that your husband wants?
Stupid ones! Rain sensing wipers and headlights that automatically turn with the vehicle! Amazingly, these worked great on our old Lexus RXs. He still likes the X despite the stuff that’s going on but misses these features. A man has gotta have what the man wants…
I have both on my Volvo…and I particularly like the rain sensing wipers. And we live in a rural area down some roads that twist and turn. Those headlights are terrific.
I also have a setting to auto off my high beams when an oncoming car is coming…and I love that too.
I love those two features.
I was just moaning to myself a week ago when the sprinkles were to light to turn the wipers off, but not heavy enough to keep the wipers going. 
I was just joking about these being stupid reasons. 
They are very handy, for sure! Here, drizzle is a typical situation, and Tesla’s beta version of rain sensing wipers failed miserably. Not sure what they were using; Toyota patented a sensor that registers the sound of rain drops hitting it. That tech must be off patent now, but it does require a physical part, not just a software update.
The headlights are awesome, too. Every time Mr. narrowly misses a curb in the dark, he keeps telling me how great those Lexus headlights were!