There are several cost of ownership calculations out there between the Tesla Model 3 and the Toyota Camry, but there’s always room for more. In fact, as more and more Model 3s pop up around me week after week, I’m feeling like the Model 3 is the new Camry. Let’s … [continued]
Following up on my 5 year cost of ownership comparisons between the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (SR+), the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (C300 and C300 4MATIC), and the Audi A4 (Premium and Premium Plus trims), it’s time to run an updated comparison between the Model 3 SR+, the BMW 3 Series, and the BMW 4 Series. It seems like this is the most relevant comparison you can make with the Model 3 SR+, since we already know the Model 3 beats sporty BMW driving at sporty, beats “the ultimate driving machine” at driving, and is stealing the title of Most Loved Car Brand Among Boys. What does BMW have left? Lower cost?
I wrote earlier this week that I would conduct some new 5 year cost of ownership comparisons between the Tesla Model 3 and its top luxury car competitors. I’ve actually never before conducted an analysis comparing the Model 3’s cost of ownership to the cost of ownership of the Mercedes C-Class or Audi A4. I think the main reason is that it was just clear from the Model 3 comparison with the BMW 3 Series and 4 Series that the Model 3 would embarrass these other cars on a cost of ownership basis. Nonetheless, now seemed like a good time for a new round of comparisons.
Tesla just officially launched its highly anticipated Tesla Insurance offering for Tesla owners in California. It promises to save owners up to 30% on their premiums compared to traditional automotive insurance companies. Tesla Insurance also sets the company up to provide the end-to-end vehicle purchase, service, fueling, and insurance services in a buildup to the launch of the Tesla Network. Talk about integrated.
The owner of a long range, rear wheel drive Tesla Model 3 recently took to Reddit to unpack the actual cost of charging at his home charger and at each Supercharger visited in over 13 months of ownership. He graciously shared the data for each session in a single Google spreadsheet that has all the fun details, for the data curious. Thanks to his eMotorwerks/EnelX JuiceBox 40, he was able to pull down data from each charging session that puts everything into scale.
This story is inspired by a friend from my day job who is a successful Technical Project Manager. I’m known at work as the “Tesla Guy” since I rave about the car if given the slightest opportunity, so when my friend Raquel Aluisy approached me for information on the car, I was more than happy to give her a test ride and explain what makes the Model 3 so special.
To satisfy my own curiosity (and, apparently, that of millions of other people), I’ve been running 5-year cost comparisons of the Tesla Model 3 and other top selling cars on the US market. This round of comparisons pits the Tesla Model 3 versus the Nissan Altima and Nissan Maxima.
Let’s start out by being very clear — in no universe should a Tesla Model 3 be competing with a Toyota Corolla on cost. The Model 3 is, objectively, a vastly superior vehicle. It is far safer, tremendously quicker, has much higher tech, is larger, and is considerably more prestigious. The only reason we’re running this comparison is because, shockingly, the Tesla Model 3 does compete with the Toyota Corolla on cost.
I’ve owned the Model 3 for exactly one year now. What I like most about the car is that it’s 100% electric, burns no gas, and has zero emissions. There’s so much to the car that I love, and I mean it when I say that the car has changed my life. I realize that’s a big statement to make so I’d like to explain what I mean by that.
When I got started on this analysis, I thought, “Well, looks like we finally have a car that is going to come out with a lower 5 year cost than a Tesla Model 3.” Nonetheless, I was super curious to see the results and see how close the Model 3 came to different Civic trims. I did not expect that the Model 3 would beat the Civic on cost in several scenarios. Does it? Does it, really?
