Browse
Log in / Register
Share
April 2, 2025 — Actor Mark Ruffalo is the latest high-profile voice to publicly prefer a Kia electric vehicle over a Tesla, reigniting the debate over which automaker builds a better EV.
“I have to say the Kia is hands down a better car and feels luxury compared to a Tesla,” Ruffalo wrote on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this week, responding to a report about a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation into Tesla Model 3 and Model Y suspension failures. He added bluntly: “They are not well made cars.”
The comment, which has since gone viral, marks a stark reversal for the “Avengers” star, who once stood in line to buy a Tesla Model S and even defended the company’s direct-sales model in 2014.
Ruffalo’s first EV was a Tesla. In 2012, he announced he had put down a deposit on a Model S, proudly noting he was No. 6,345 on the waiting list. He later tweeted support for Tesla when New York State attempted to ban the automaker’s direct-to-consumer sales model.
But his enthusiasm for the brand cooled as Tesla CEO Elon Musk became increasingly polarizing. The two clashed in 2022 after Musk’s Twitter takeover, when Ruffalo said Musk was “destroying his credibility.” By 2024, Ruffalo was actively campaigning for Kamala Harris, while Musk poured at least $270 million into supporting Donald Trump and other Republican candidates.
“The political divide finally pushed me to test other EVs,” Ruffalo told a fan in a follow-up post. “Kia wasn’t even on my radar until a friend lent me their EV6. I was shocked.”
The NHTSA investigation cited by Ruffalo covers nearly 1.2 million Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The agency received 156 complaints alleging that a front suspension component can detach, potentially causing “loss of vehicle directional control.” No crashes, injuries, or deaths have been reported, and no recall has been issued, but the probe is ongoing.
Tesla has faced similar suspension issues in the past — including a 2023 recall in China — and the NHTSA has previously investigated other Tesla components, such as steering and braking systems. The latest investigation adds to a growing list of quality concerns that have dogged the EV leader.
Ruffalo’s switch from Tesla to Kia is not an isolated case. According to a 2024 survey by S&P Global Mobility, Tesla’s brand loyalty among EV owners has dropped from 72% in 2021 to 64% in 2024, with many citing build quality, interior materials, and service experience as reasons for leaving.
Meanwhile, Kia — long known for affordable, budget-friendly cars — has reinvented itself with the EV6 and EV9 models. The EV6 was named European Car of the Year 2023 and won the 2023 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year award, while the three-row EV9 took home the 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year title. Both models offer a starting price below $50,000, with generous standard equipment and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty — a strong selling point for buyers worried about long-term reliability.
“The Kia EV6 is often compared to the Tesla Model Y in terms of size and range, but reviewers consistently note that the Kia’s cabin is quieter, better laid out, and uses higher-quality materials,” said John McElroy, a veteran automotive analyst. “Kia has also invested heavily in its charging infrastructure partnership with Electrify America, which helps reduce range anxiety.”
While Tesla has slashed prices multiple times to stay competitive, Kia’s EVs have held their value better. According to data from iSeeCars, the Kia EV6 depreciated only 38% after three years, compared to 49% for the Tesla Model Y. Federal tax credits (up to $7,500 for eligible buyers) and state incentives further narrow the price gap.
Kia also benefits from its established dealer network, which offers in-person service and repairs — something Tesla’s direct-to-consumer model has struggled with, especially in rural areas. A 2024 J.D. Power Customer Service Index study ranked Kia above the industry average, while Tesla scored below average.
Ruffalo’s public endorsement of Kia over Tesla is unlikely to change market dynamics overnight, but it adds to a growing narrative that legacy automakers — once dismissed as “boring” — are now producing EVs that match or exceed Tesla in quality, luxury, and value.
“The era of Tesla being the default luxury EV is over,” said Jessica Caldwell, executive director of insights at Edmunds. “We now have serious competition from Hyundai, Kia, and even GM and Ford. Buyers have choices, and they’re voting with
