Comparison
Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model S
Premium RWD vs Model S: range, price, charging, running costs and road-trip stops.
Best range Tesla Model S 410 mi vs 363 mi
Best value Tesla Model 3 $42,490 vs $109,990
Faster charging Tesla Model S 31 min vs 36 min
5-yr energy Tesla Model 3 $3,850 vs $4,200
Winner by category
6 categories comparedRange winner
Tesla Model S
410 mi vs 363 mi
Value winner
Tesla Model 3
$117/mi vs $268/mi
Charging winner
Tesla Model S
31 min vs 36 min
Efficiency winner
Tesla Model 3
250 Wh/mi vs 270 Wh/mi
Utility/family winner
Tesla Model S
Ahead on seats, cargo, and tow capacity
Performance winner
Tesla Model S
3.1 s vs 4.9 s
Side-by-side comparison
Featured trims| Spec | Tesla Model 3 | Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| Trim used | Premium RWD | Model S |
| MSRP (USD) | $42,490 (better) | $109,990 |
| Range | 363 mi | 410 mi (better) |
| Efficiency | 250 Wh/mi • 4 mi/kWh (better) | 270 Wh/mi • 3.7 mi/kWh |
| Battery (usable) | 82 kWh | 96 kWh (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Drivetrain | RWD | AWD |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| DC max | 208 kW | 250 kW (better) |
| AC max | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| 10–80% (DC) | 36 min | 31 min (better) |
| Roadtrip score | 79.1 | 88.7 (better) |
| Miles added (15 min est.) | 96 mi | 120 mi (better) |
| USD per mile of range | 117 $/mi (better) | 268 $/mi |
| 0–60 mph | 4.9 s | 3.1 s (better) |
| Top speed | 125 mph | 155 mph (better) |
| Cargo | 21 cu ft | 25 cu ft (better) |
| Tow rating | 2,205 lb | 3,527 lb (better) |
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if…
- You want the lower price: $42,490 vs $109,990 to start, $67,500 less.
- You want lower running costs: about $3,850 vs $4,200 in energy over 5 years.
Pick the Tesla Model S if…
- You drive long days: 410 vs 363 miles of rated range.
- You tow: rated for 3,527 lb vs 2,205 lb.
- You care about acceleration: 0-60 mph in 3.1 vs 4.9 seconds.
Availability: Tesla Model S production has ended, so you'd be buying leftover or used stock.
5-year energy cost: Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model S
| Charging mix | Tesla Model 3 | Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | 250 Wh/mi | 270 Wh/mi |
| All home charging | $2,850 | $3,050 |
| 80% home, 20% public DC | $3,850 | $4,200 |
| All public DC fast charging | $8,000 | $8,650 |
60,000 miles (12,000 a year) at rated efficiency, $0.17/kWh at home, $0.48/kWh at public fast chargers, plus 10% charging loss. A 30 mpg gas car at $3.20/gal would spend about $6,400 on fuel over the same miles. Use your own rates.
500-mile road trip: charging stops
| Tesla Model 3 | Tesla Model S | |
|---|---|---|
| First leg (90% to 10%) | 247 mi | 279 mi |
| Each leg after a 10-80% stop | 216 mi | 244 mi |
| Fast-charge stops | 2 | 1 |
| Time spent charging | about 70 min | about 30 min |
| DC port | NACS | NACS |
Highway range taken as 85% of rated range. Each stop is counted as a full 10-80% session at the listed time, so the last stop is often shorter in practice. Cold weather and high speeds add stops. Charging time calculator.
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