Sedan comparison
Tesla Model 3 vs Acura MDX
Which costs less to own over 5 years? Compare purchase price, fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation — then customize with your own numbers.
Tesla Model 3 vs Acura MDX: Quick Verdict
Based on average driving (12,000 miles/year), the Tesla Model 3 saves approximately $20,304 over 5 years compared to the Acura MDX. Lower charging costs and reduced maintenance offset the EV's higher purchase price.
Tesla Model 3
$38,630
purchase price
Acura MDX
$55,350
purchase price
EV saves
$20,304
over 5 years
Customize your mileage, gas price, and electricity rate below to get a personalized comparison.
Your Numbers
Adjust the inputs to match your situation. Results update instantly.
Average American drives ~13,500 miles/year
Charge at home overnight — cheapest option
Enter what you actually pay to charge. On a time-of-use or EV plan (cheap overnight rates) or with solar, your rate may be well below the state average, e.g. 8¢ overnight vs 12¢ standard.
Tesla Model 3 Saves You Money
EV saves you
$20,304
over 5 years
EV saves per month
$202
fuel + maintenance + insurance
The Tesla Model 3 saves you $20,304 over 5 years compared to the Acura MDX.
These vehicles are in different classes. The comparison is still valid but keep the size/class difference in mind.
EV saves you
$20,304
over 5 years (all-in)
EV saves per month
$202
fuel + maintenance + insurance
Operating cost payback
Immediate
EV is cheaper upfront and to run
Vehicles compared
Model 3 · Acura MDX · Camry Hybrid
EV · Gas · Hybrid
Full Cost Breakdown
| Tesla Model 3Standard RWDElectric | Acura MDXSH-AWD (2026 MY proxy)Gas | Toyota Camry HybridLE hybrid FWDBestHybrid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $38,630 | $55,350 | $30,995 |
| Monthly Fuel | $32 | $167 | $69 |
| Annual Fuel | $379 | $2,000 | $824 |
| Total Fuel | $1,895 | $10,000 | $4,118 |
| Total Maintenance | $2,750 | $6,000 | $4,750 |
| Total Insurance | $10,000 | $10,750 | $8,500 |
| Resale Value | $17,384 | $25,904 | $21,697 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | $35,892 | $56,196 | $26,666 |
Tesla Model 3
Standard RWD
Electric
Acura MDX
SH-AWD (2026 MY proxy)
Gas
Toyota Camry Hybrid
LE hybrid FWD
Hybrid
Cost Over 5 Years
Why This Result
The EV costs less from the start when factoring in all ownership costs. Lower charging costs and reduced maintenance give the EV a clear cost advantage at your mileage. The Toyota Camry Hybrid falls in between at $26,666 total.
Fuel vs Charging
Charging the Model 3 costs about $379/year vs $2000/year for gas in the Acura MDX. That's $1621/year in fuel savings alone.
Your electricity rate matters
Home charging is the EV's biggest lever. Every 1¢/kWh lower saves about $29/year ($146 over 5 years) for the Model 3. Charging from rooftop solar can lower it further. Enter your actual overnight or solar rate above to see your own numbers.
Maintenance
EVs have fewer moving parts — no oil changes, less brake wear, no transmission fluid. The Model 3 saves roughly $3250 in maintenance over the ownership period.
Depreciation & Resale
The Acura MDX holds 47% of its value vs 45% for the Model 3. Purchase price and resale value are often the largest factors in total cost of ownership.
Insurance
EV insurance tends to run higher due to specialized repair costs. We've included $2,000/year for the Model 3 vs $2,150/year for the Acura MDX in the total comparison.
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I'd save $20,304 over 5 years with a Tesla Model 3 vs Acura MDX. Check yours → isevworthit.com
About the Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is a fully electric sedan with an efficiency of 0.243 kWh per mile. Priced at $38,630, it costs around $550/year to maintain and $2,000/year to insure. It's widely regarded as the Best Value EV option in its class.
About the Acura MDX
The Acura MDX is a gas-powered sedan achieving 21 MPG. Priced at $55,350, it costs around $1,200/year to maintain and $2,150/year to insure. Note that these vehicles are in different classes — keep size and use-case differences in mind.
How We Calculate Total Cost
Total cost of ownership includes purchase price, fuel or charging costs over your ownership period, annual maintenance, annual insurance, minus estimated resale value based on depreciation. This gives you the true all-in cost of each vehicle — not just the sticker price.