Similar price tags buy very different interpretations of the electric luxury sedan.
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Recently, much of the buzz in the EV world has centered on the upcoming wave of 400-mile electric luxury SUVs—specifically the new Volvo EX60, BMW iX3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC—starting around $60,000. However, just as significant, if not more, has been the recent introduction of a couple of all-new electric cars priced thousands less.
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All of a sudden, the Tesla Model 3 faces genuine competition from the new Mercedes-Benz CLA and Lexus ES EV, both hitting the market this year with starting prices near $50,000 but sharing almost nothing else. Here’s why these new models are important and why this unlikely trio of luxury cars deserves consideration despite their major differences.
Why This Matters
Whether dining at a top-tier restaurant or shopping for a new vehicle, having options helps you focus on what truly matters. For years, Tesla has been the go-to choice in the loosely defined category of accessible all-electric luxury cars. Now, the landscape is shifting, and we haven’t missed that fact.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is no longer available for the American market.
Lately, it seems there have been more departures than arrivals in this segment. The Kia EV4 nearly made it to the U.S. before Kia changed its mind. The sleek Hyundai Ioniq 6—which came close to winning Car of the Year—has been discontinued, and the Polestar 2 isn’t offered in its updated form right now.
So when we point out that the long-standing Model 3 now has two ambitious new rivals, it’s worth paying attention. In the $50,000 to $60,000 range, buyers now have three intriguing options in the premium electric car segment.
Are They Really That Different?
The Lexus
In our First Drive review, we concluded that the 2026 Lexus ES is best in its electric version. The ES does what ES luxury sedans have always done well: deliver sensible luxury without much emphasis on sportiness. We’re talking about comfort and, with the new EV, a level of quietness never before experienced in an ES.
Compared to the Model 3 and the electric Mercedes CLA, the Lexus offers more space in the back seat to stretch out. That’s partly why Lexus provides a $3,635 Executive package focused on rear-seat luxury. A softer headrest joins power-reclining outboard rear seats with heating, ventilation, and the all-important massage function.