Tesla Model 3 vs Mercedes 300, Mercedes 350e, Mercedes AMG C43

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The Tesla Model 3 is sure to scare the headlights out of many a premium-class contender. I’ve already rolled through the knee shaking that certain BMW, Audi, and Lexus models must be feeling, but looming in the background all this time is the granddaddy of premium-class sedans — Mercedes-Benz.

The Tesla Model S has already booted the bigger Mercedes-Benz boys off of the MVP podium, but the real concern for the star-studded Hollywood glamor brand is that Tesla Model 3 will be the Steph Curry that embarrases and silences some of the top-selling smaller Mercedes models. (Full disclosure: I’m actually too out of touch with the NBA these days to have a strong attachment to Steph Curry or anyone else, but my understanding is that he’s one heck of a player.)

For Mercedes, the models I figured would make the most sense to compare the Tesla Model 3 to were the Mercedes 300, Mercedes 350e, and Mercedes AMG C43.

As before, it’s worth highlighting at the start that different humans prioritize different things. Some will prioritize the Model 3’s zero emissions while others will prioritize certain elements of a Mercedes sedan’s interior elements. Some will prioritize Tesla’s Autopilot while others will prefer having a brand name that is one of the most iconic status symbols of the past 100 years.

For this article, though, I’m exploring a handful of practical matters/specs and how they compare across these various cars … even though I personally have a couple of reservations in for a Model 3 due to the zero emissions, instant torque, Autopilot, Supercharging, and our need to not turn this special blue marble into an elf-frying ball of cotton candy that caught fire in the midst of Armageddon.

Anyway, to kick the comparisons off, let’s just jump into the numbers:

Mercedes 300 Mercedes 350e Mercedes AMG C43 Tesla Model 3
Base Price $39,500 $46,050 $52,000 $35,000
Base Price After $7500 Tax Credit $39,500 $35,000 $52,000 $27,750
0–60 mph 6 5.8 4.6 5.6
Trunk+Frunk Space 13 12 13 14
Length 184.5 184.5 185 185
Width 71 72 71 74

Moola: So, yeah, in terms of cash money, the Model 3 heftily outcompetes these Mercedes models (unless your goal is to spend as much money as possible). In fact, with the US federal tax credit, the base Model 3 is practically half the price of the Mercedes AMG C43. If this doesn’t tell you where we’re headed, well, stay tuned for a wild ride over the next few years.

How many necks can you snap? That $52,000 AMG C43 does beat the base Model 3 to 60 mph. We’ll have to see how quick a more spinach-packed Model 3 ends up being, and if that extra power puts the car in the $52,000 territory. Due to Tesla’s sensible “start with the basic options first” manufacturing strategy, it seems we still have a bit to wait for that (insane? ludicrous? demented? batshit crazified?) Model 3 to hit the streets. In any case, though, it appears that the base Model 3 narrowly beats the Mercedes 350e and Mercedes 300 in a race to 60 mph.

All of that said, due to the instant torque of a fully electric car and the fact that Tesla knows how to maximize the endorphin rush that comes from that unique feature of EVs, my guess is that a Model 3 will still be much more fun to drive than a Mercedes 300, 350e, or even AMG C43. Though, I’m definitely curious to test them all out with an appropriately objective and open mind.

Strollers & stuff: In terms of space, I’m happy to see that the Model 3 beats these three Mercedes competitors, but we still need to test out the actual practicality of the provided space. The 14 cu. ft. in the Model 3 is the trunk and frunk space combined, which I assume I’ll like in certain situations but may also make trying to get a stroller into the trunk harder than with a Mercedes 300, which is tight enough as it is. We’ll see, and I’ll be sure to test out the competitors for you.

Fat vs stocky: Living in Europe, I can’t deny that size matters … and even the Nissan LEAF has a broader stance than I sometimes like. The Tesla Model S has eaten too many potato chips for my personal parking space in the parking garage in our neighborhood, and I’m nervous its younger sibling has been a bit too American in its munching habits as well. I’m hopeful the Model 3 will make the cut, but the European fitness of these Mercedes models is certainly something I wish the Model 3 could offer. (Note: I’m fully aware that the Model 3’s width has more to do with the need to stick a large battery under it than it has to do with the number of potato chips Mr. 3 and Mr. Sir Elon eat, but it’s still a practical consideration that will land some pluses — presumably, a bit more comfort inside — and minuses — me struggling to get out of the car after parking in some tight spots.)

Those are my thoughts for now. Again, though, here are a few additional matters that are of critical importance to some of us and go beyond the “1st world dilemmas” Mercedes- and Tesla-buying humans often “struggle” with:

◊ Zero emissions: The value of a zero-emissions vehicle is priceless for many people. The existential threat global heating poses for humanity isn’t worth gambling on. The trillions of dollars in health costs and hundreds of thousands of premature deaths from air pollution are not moral or sensible options when we have alternatives like electric cars and solar power. I am leaving the climate and health benefits of the Model 3 out of the equation in the comparisons above, but I could never leave them out in my own personal purchasing decisions.

◊ National security: The societal benefit of buying a national security bulldog is priceless as well. There’s again no point in fueling oil wars and funding dictatorships when we can avoid doing so.

◊ Self-driving tech & perhaps my own robotaxi: The Tesla Model 3 will come with hardware that could one day allow for fully autonomous transport. It’s unclear when the software will arrive, what it will cost, or what the default semi-autonomous features will do, but the self-driving tech is still a highly compelling attraction for me. I assume the Tesla Autopilot features will outperform what any competitors offer for a long time to come, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has clearly indicated that we should expect our Model 3s will get invites into a Tesla robotaxi service down the road, allowing us to easily make money on our cars if we choose to go that route.

Related:

  1. Tesla Model 3 vs BMW 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, & i3
  2. Tesla Model 3 vs Audi A3, Audi A4, Audi A5, Audi S3
  3. Tesla Model 3 vs Lexus ES (& ES Hybrid), Lexus IS, Lexus GS (& GS Hybrid), & Lexus CT Hybrid
  4. Tesla Model 3 Review From EV Annex (Exclusive Video Interview & Review)
  5. BMW USA Sales Down Dramatically — Tesla Model 3 Hitting Already?
  6. 30 Reasons Your Next Car Should Be Electric
  7. 20 Minutes of Tesla Model 3 & Tesla Model X External Video Footage, & 5 Things I Love About The Model 3 (Exclusive Video)
  8. Tesla Model 3 Test Track Video (#CleanTechnica Exclusive From Unveiling Night, Abridged)
  9. Tesla Model 3 — Exclusive Test Track Photos
  10. National Security Bulldogs — Electric Cars

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Zachary Shahan

Zach is tryin' to help society help itself one word at a time. He spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as its director, chief editor, and CEO. Zach is recognized globally as an electric vehicle, solar energy, and energy storage expert. He has presented about cleantech at conferences in India, the UAE, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA, Canada, and Curaçao. Zach has long-term investments in Tesla [TSLA], NIO [NIO], Xpeng [XPEV], Ford [F], ChargePoint [CHPT], Amazon [AMZN], Piedmont Lithium [PLL], Lithium Americas [LAC], Albemarle Corporation [ALB], Nouveau Monde Graphite [NMGRF], Talon Metals [TLOFF], Arclight Clean Transition Corp [ACTC], and Starbucks [SBUX]. But he does not offer (explicitly or implicitly) investment advice of any sort.

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