29 Sep 2024, 20:52 UTC • By: -only lifestyle is very easy with that car. You don't need apps like PlugShare or to do much research about the car. Everything's on that center touchscreen, including the useful Trip Planner that simplifies longer journeys. The fact that it has native access to the Supercharger network also helps a lot. But for Americans who can only afford one battery-electric vehicle or want a car (and not a conventional minivan) that can do it all, a sedan isn't the ideal pick. A three-row eSUV makes a lot more sense. Tesla, believe it or not, has you covered yet again. When writing, the cheapest Model Y costs $44,990. But if you want space for seven people, you'll need the dual-motor version that has an MSRP of $47,990. The upgrade to three rows of seats costs $2,000, but the EV is eligible for the full federal EV tax credit of $7,500. If you qualify for the perk, the three-row EV costs $42,490 sans tax and fees. Photo: Mercedes-Benz Sounds pretty nice, doesn't it? It's not for nothing that this quirky little thing managed to become the world's best-selling vehicle last year. Do note that we didn't say the world's best-selling EV. Tesla's Model Y was more popular globally than even Toyota's RAV4. Maximum value The Model Y is forced under the $25,000 threshold on the used car market because dealers want to access the used EV tax credit, equivalent to 30 percent of the sale price ($4,000 maximum). However, be aware that you need to qualify for this one, too. It's also true that middlemen aren't so keen on keeping too many EVs in their inventory. Even if it's a Tesla, the tech in this automotive sector advances quite rapidly. Progress in the battery sector alone can diminish the value of relatively new EVs very quickly. Model Y prices are also in a downtrend because prospective Tesla customers and existing brand loyalists are eagerly awaiting the Juniper refresh, which should come with a novel exterior design and the Model 3 Highland upgrades (better aero and suspension, colorful ambient lighting, and ventilated seats). Having a very controversial and outspoken person sitting at the top also does not do the brand any favors, but we'll presume that doesn't mean much when you want a reliable and budget-friendly commuting appliance. Photo: YouTube However, it's a bit unfair to talk so much about the Model Y when the point of this article is to show how much cheaper the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has gotten. Moreover, the German all-electric three-row SUV, which, like its competitors, can also be bought as a two-row EV, is a true rival to the Model X, not the Model Y. A brand-new Model X will set you back $79,990, which is just $10 off the EV tax credit MSRP limit. Again, if you can access it, that means the EV with falcon-wing doors will cost $72,490. Choose the seven-seat layout ($3,500), and the EV tax credit is gone because the price climbs above the $80,000 MSRP limit. If you want captain chairs for the second row (the six-seat interior), you'll have to scoop up $6,500. On the secondary market, a dual-motor Model X costs between $20,000 and $70,000+. Given that EV batteries degrade over time and the falcon-wing doors have been kind of iffy, you'd be better off with a more recent unit. For your peace of mind, it's recommended that you seriously consider only low-mileage post-2021 Model X EVs. The three-pointed star strategy