Couldn't agree with you more. I've already jumped off the train and am now checking to see if the grass is greener on the other side. I won't say it's greener, but it's certainly not brown.
For those that want the same type of company experience, LUCID is offering a very nice alternative right now. More luxurious. More functional frunk. Better range. More power. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I was never impressed with it in photos, but saw and drove one and the Lucid definitely looks much better in person than in photos.
The Mercedes EQS isn't the greatest looking car on the outside. The new SUV however, appears to look much better proportioned. But, I was never in love with the looks of a Tesla. I bought several of them for what they were, not because of how it looked. The EQS blows Tesla out of the water in terms of interior quality and actual luxury. Not even in the same category. Beautiful, luxurious interior. And, it too has more range than a Tesla.
The Cadillac due out very soon seems like a no brainer when comparing to a Model 3 or Model Y. Certainly FAR more luxurious. Now, cheaper in price. Competitive range. Supercruise in some respects is superior to Tesla's autopilot, at least on the freeways.
Personally, I was ready for a Truck. I bought both, the F-150 Lightning and the Rivian. The Ford was a great work truck and if I truly needed a functional work truck, absolutely hands down is the better of the two options. The Rivian is more of an adventure vehicle, intended for a different user.
The Ford is more driver friendly in terms of function as it has usable buttons to go along with extensive tech. The Rivian, like Lucid, puts you back in a Tesla like company. Both feel very familiar for those coming from a Tesla. The rest require the dealer experience. Which I don't miss. But, for the most part, it's just one time, so once you get past the purchase phase, it doesn't have much of an impact other than, there are usually a million of them close by.
Tesla, certainly still blows everyone out of the water with its charging network. So, if you're one that travels over 300 miles on a very regular basis, it will make a difference. For those like me, where such trips are limited to 1-3 times per year. the Public Charging networks available do get the job done. The rest of the time, I plug it in at home every night and don't notice any difference from the Tesla.
I like the party tricks the Tesla offers. But have realized since, now that I don't have them, I don't really miss them either. I didn't buy my car to watch movies or play video games. Never used those features. The FSD was cool to experience, but it's so far from being ready for regular use that I hardly ever used it if anyone was behind me, out of respect for my fellow motorists. Living in L.A., there's not many times where someone isn't close by, thus hardly got to use it. Did use it regularly on the freeway for simple lane keeping, which most cars today offer something similar.
So yes, the Tesla offers more, but most of it's "more" are things that aren't really necessary with a good number of them simply being cool party tricks to show off to your friends.
As noted, I purchased the Rivian and Ford F-150 Lightning. Had an extended test day with the Lucid (all three have key fobs and portable chargers by the way, included in the sale).
All three have far superior FRUNKS that are automatic and large enough to actually use. Versus the Tesla's delicate hood that you have to be so careful to close with two hands in the right spot to avoid bending it.
I do miss the GPS based homelink. Assuming that can be added on the others via software updates.
Only on the very rare occasions when I do a long distance trip, do I miss the supercharger network. But, the other options do get the job done and accomplish the same thing.
The rest of what the Tesla offers, which is quite a bit, but are things I have found that I really don't miss and didn't need. I will miss the "summon" feature as it did come in handy on occasion. But haven't yet.
The Audi, Porsche, Jaguar aren't up to par yet with ranges under 250 miles. But, they're coming too. As are many others. Point being. Even with the limited options available today, I've learned that I CAN LIVE WITHOUT A TESLA after having been in several of them for 9 years. Others are offering enough now to make them viable competitors. I also now have cooled seats. Could have massaging seats. Along with many other features that the competitors offer and Tesla doesn't.
For now, Tesla still has more orders than what they can produce. So they couldn't car less. But, eventually, things will catch up. By then, there will also be at least another 10 alternatives that hit the market. Tesla WILL have to come back down to earth and be competitive.
I really wanted a truck and I feel right at home with the Rivian. A similar experience. Its a truck that could have had Tesla's name on it as they did a very good job with it. The interior is far nicer than a Tesla though. Aside from the key fob and charger issue, Tesla drove me away with the direction they chose on the Model S. I had a new one for a couple of weeks to try and adapt to. Absolutely not for me. I work out of my car. Am in and out of it 10 times a day. Lots of 3-point turns. L.A. traffic, where horns are needed to prevent you from getting hit. I hated the Model 3 I had and kept for only 2 months. The Model S doubled down on all the reasons I hated the Model 3. Tesla still builds a great car, but their direction unfortunately, just doesn't work for my needs anymore. I use the hell out of the top of my steering wheel on a daily basis. Hated "looking" over to the center screen to simply shift from D to R and back to D again, Was previously a no thought instinctive action I could do by feel without having to distract myself to the screen. Constantly was turning on blinkers by accident. I really miss having the vertical screen in the pre-refresh Model S. Was so easy to see and reach everything. These big horizontal screens put things too far from the driver when on the far right of the screen. One of the reasons the Ford was attractive. Lucid, Mercedes and Cadillac all have tons of screen space and in closer reach to the driver.
As much as I love the Tesla and all the great things about it, there's now just too much for me to sacrifice in my personal use needs. I realize I'm sacrificing very little with the Rivian (of the features I actually use) and benefit from the things it offers (that Tesla didn't) far more on a daily basis to offset the 1-3 times I don't get to use superchargers. I appreciate that Rivian takes my calls to answer simple questions. I find I really benefit from having 110 outlets. I use the frunk like a regular trunk (never used Tesla's frunk). The air suspension is incredible. Rides nothing like a "truck".
If I wanted a car, I came very close to purchasing the Lucid and Mercedes. Loved what both had to offer. But ultimately, wanted the truck instead. If I were in the market for a small SUV, for $63,000, I would absolutely 1,000% choose the Cadillac over the Model Y. I love the luxury it offers. Has true hands-free driver assist on freeways. It's a love it or hate it style. Personally, I love its looks. As noted, I bought Tesla's because of what they were, not because of their "luxury", which was very little nor for their looks. Was never in love with the look of the Model S. For my personal tastes, simply did not like the looks of the Model 3 or Y or even the X. Especially the front ends of the 3 & Y.
For my use needs, the alternatives all satisfy them and they all return phone calls and they all have great attitudes towards their customers. Tesla's customer service has become atrocious over the past 5 to 6 years. They were INCREDIBLE at the start. But now, have the attitude of "don't like it, tough". I'm one that never kept cars more than 3 years. Was always ready for something fresh and new within that time frame. The fact that Tesla kept me in basically the same looking cars for 9 years is saying something.
But, now that the alternatives available are actually viable alternatives, thus far, I have zero regrets for having switched over to other side. Actually enjoying having something different and new. Great thing is, I can always go back to a Tesla if I choose to. But, with the directions they've gone, primarily with the interior and minimalism, and what's now available as alternatives for much more reasonable pricing, I don't see it happing anytime soon unless they do a complete 180 on several things.
I loved my years in the Tesla, am very appreciative that Elon Musk almost single-handedly created this category and will never regret that ride. I am also very thankful for now having a choice of competitive offerings that allow me to finally chose a vehicle that I am actually excited about how it looks and has driver friendly functions that suit my needs. Tesla will still be the first choice for many, and rightfully so. But, there are now alternatives available that equally allow families to choose an EV as their only vehicle.
