EV enthusiast puts Tesla Model 3 against its Chinese equivalent and there are some big surprises

  • One EV lover compared the Tesla Model 3 to the Chinese IML6
  • Tesla’s most popular build is renowned for power, speed, and reliability
  • But the IML6 appears to be quite the competitor – if not better…

Published on Dec 31, 2024 at 8:32 PM (UTC+4)
by Jack Marsh

Last updated on Jan 02, 2025 at 3:13 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones

As the Tesla Model 3 has been championed in the electric vehicle world, one EV enthusiast has thrown a spanner in the works by running a comparison with its Chinese equivalent.

The IML6 is China’s answer to the Tesla, being the best of many EVs that have begun populating the streets.

But with the Chinese equivalent market growing rapidly, is Tesla in trouble?

One EV enthusiast has now put both cars to the test

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Tesla Model 3 versus Chinese equivalent IML6

The Chinese IML6 has already made quite the name for itself after videos emerged of the car parking sideways and crab-walking like the famed GMC Sierra EV.

But can it really hold a candle to the best-selling EV in America, the Tesla Model 3, despite being 20% cheaper ($42,000 vs. $54,000)?

Well, the YouTube account Out of Spec Reviews has now put both cars through their paces and it is clear that China is rapidly catching up.

We all know the Model 3 Performance is a pretty awesome car. It boasts a 352-mile electric range, 510hp, and has an impressive top speed of 162.8mph. Speed aside, it is also a clean sedan that comes as one of the best cars available for families.

But the IML6 is no joke either. In fact, for $12,00 less, the Chinese equivalent offers over 750 horsepower while looking nearly identical.

Not only is it quicker, but the IML6 even has some incredible features such as its crab walk, track mode, and rear steer, which even allows for completely sideways parking. No need for those parallel park heart palpitations.

However, the IML6 does sacrifice some comfort for performance, having a less luxurious interior and entertainment system.

There are also issues with the ‘hatchback’ qualities as the IML6 shoehorned itself into this category but at the expense of visibility – the YouTuber claims the rear is poorly designed and the rear window is very difficult to see out of.

In the end, it’s clear to see that the Chinese equivalent has many qualities that better the Tesla Model 3, but for all of the bells and whistles, the American EV is much more comfortable and suitable for everyday life.

Still, with ‘5% extra fine-tuning,’ according to the YouTube account, the IML6 could soon be just as good while staying quite a lot cheaper.

This isn’t the first time a Chinese equivalent has proven to be a worthy competitor, as the ‘fake’ Rolls-Royce fairs interestingly against the real deal.

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Jack Marsh is a journalist who started his media career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from the University of Chester. With five years of experience in gaming, and entertainment, he also has a passion for fantasy novels and sports.