Sedan comparison
Tesla Model 3 vs Honda Accord
Which costs less to own over 5 years? Compare purchase price, fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation — then customize with your own numbers.
Both vehicles are in the sedan class — a fair apples-to-apples comparison.
Tesla Model 3 vs Honda Accord: Quick Verdict
Based on average driving (12,000 miles/year), the Honda Accord costs approximately $586 less over 5 years compared to the Tesla Model 3. The gas vehicle's lower purchase price outweighs the EV's fuel savings at this mileage.
Tesla Model 3
$38,990
purchase price
Honda Accord
$29,610
purchase price
Gas saves
$586
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
Too Close to Call
Gas saves you
$586
over 5 years
EV saves per month
$102
fuel + maintenance
Operating cost payback
4.6 years
within ownership
The difference between the Tesla Model 3 and Honda Accord is small — only $586 over 5 years.
Gas saves you
$586
over 5 years (all-in)
EV saves per month
$102
fuel + maintenance
Operating cost payback
4.6 years
achievable within ownership
Vehicles compared
Model 3 · Accord · Camry Hybrid
EV · Gas · Hybrid
Full Cost Breakdown
| Tesla Model 3Electric | Honda AccordGas | Toyota Camry HybridBestHybrid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $38,990 | $29,610 | $30,450 |
| Monthly Fuel | $33 | $109 | $67 |
| Annual Fuel | $390 | $1,313 | $808 |
| Total Fuel | $1,950 | $6,563 | $4,038 |
| Total Maintenance | $2,750 | $5,500 | $4,750 |
| Total Insurance | $10,000 | $8,750 | $8,500 |
| Resale Value | $22,224 | $19,543 | $21,315 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | $31,466 | $30,880 | $26,423 |
Tesla Model 3
Electric
Honda Accord
Gas
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Hybrid
Cost Over 5 Years
Why This Result
At your inputs, neither option has a decisive cost advantage. Small changes in gas prices, electricity rates, or driving habits could tip the balance either way. The Toyota Camry Hybrid may offer a good compromise between cost and efficiency.
Fuel vs Charging
Charging the Model 3 costs about $390/year vs $1313/year for gas in the Accord. That's $923/year in fuel savings alone.
Maintenance
EVs have fewer moving parts — no oil changes, less brake wear, no transmission fluid. The Model 3 saves roughly $2750 in maintenance over the ownership period.
Depreciation & Resale
The Accord holds 66% of its value vs 57% 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 $1,750/year for the Accord in the total comparison.
Share Your Result
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EV vs Gas is a close call for me — only $586 difference over 5 years. Check yours → isevworthit.com
About the Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is a fully electric sedan with an efficiency of 0.25 kWh per mile. Priced at $38,990, 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 Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a gas-powered sedan achieving 32 MPG. Priced at $29,610, it costs around $1,100/year to maintain and $1,750/year to insure. This is a direct apples-to-apples comparison within the same vehicle class.
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.