Mark Ruffalo took a shot at Tesla.
"I mean… they are not well made cars," he wrote on X on Wednesday while sharing an Autoblog article about a preliminary NHTSA investigation into Tesla.
Instead, the actor, best-known for playing Bruce Banner in "The Avengers," said he prefers an EV from a Korean automaker that built its name on budget-friendly vehicles.
"Having tucked into a KIA EV now and having driven a Tesla," Ruffalo said. "I have to say the Kia is hands down a better car and feels luxury compared to a Tesla."
I mean… they are not well made cars. Having tucked into a KIA EV now and having driven a Tesla. I have to say the Kia is hands down a better car and feels luxury compared to a Tesla. https://t.co/v10NorXy1Q
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) August 5, 2026Ruffalo has a long history with electric vehicles and Tesla. In 2012, he said he had placed a deposit on a Model S and described himself as number 6,345 on the car's waiting list. He also tweeted in support of the automaker in 2014 when New York State considered banning Tesla because it sold directly to consumers.
The actor's views of Tesla CEO Elon Musk have since soured.
Tensions between Musk and Ruffalo surfaced in 2022, when the actor said Musk was destroying his credibility after taking over Twitter.
Ruffalo also campaigned for Kamala Harris in 2024, while Musk spent at least $270 million supporting Donald Trump and other Republicans during that election cycle.
NHTSA's preliminary investigation covers nearly 1.2 million Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The agency said it received 156 complaints alleging that a front suspension component detached, and said the alleged failures could cause a "loss of vehicle directional control."
No related crashes, injuries, or deaths were known when the investigation was opened, and the probe has not resulted in a recall.
Representatives for Ruffalo, Kia, and Tesla didn't respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
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Ben Shimkus is a reporter for the Business News desk. He writes about cars, transportation, retail, and jobs. Ben's reporting has appeared in Rolling Stone, The Verge, Automotive News, USA Today, AutoBody News, LGBTQ Nation, TopSpeed, and Out Magazine. He's also held staff writing positions at The U.S. Sun and the Daily Mail. He graduated from NYU with a Master's in journalism in 2024. Email Ben at [email protected] or message him privately on Signal at bshimkus.41.
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