Actor Mark Ruffalo stated on X (formerly Twitter) that his Kia EV is 'hands down a better car' than a Tesla, describing it as feeling more luxurious. His remarks came as he shared an Autoblog article about a preliminary NHTSA investigation into potential suspension issues in Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.
Ruffalo’s post, published on August 5, 2026, directly criticized Tesla’s build quality, saying: 'I mean… they are not well made cars.' He added that the Kia EV provides a more premium experience compared to his prior experience with Tesla vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened the investigation after receiving 156 complaints alleging that a front suspension component could detach, potentially causing a loss of vehicle directional control. The probe covers nearly 1.2 million Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, though no crashes, injuries, or deaths had been reported at the time of the investigation’s launch. The NHTSA has not issued a recall as of this report.
Ruffalo’s shift in preference for electric vehicles (EVs) marks a notable change from his past support for Tesla. In 2012, he placed a deposit for a Tesla Model S, calling himself number 6,345 on the waiting list. He also publicly defended Tesla in 2014 when New York State considered banning direct-to-consumer sales. However, his relationship with Tesla CEO Elon Musk has since deteriorated.
In 2022, Ruffalo criticized Musk’s leadership after the latter took over Twitter (now X), accusing him of damaging his credibility. The actor’s political alignment has also diverged from Musk’s: Ruffalo campaigned for Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, while Musk contributed at least $270 million to support Donald Trump and other Republican candidates.
Representatives for Ruffalo, Kia, and Tesla did not respond to requests for comment.