Sedan comparison
Tesla Model 3 vs Subaru Forester
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 Subaru Forester: Quick Verdict
Based on average driving (12,000 miles/year), the Tesla Model 3 saves approximately $1,232 over 5 years compared to the Subaru Forester. Lower charging costs and reduced maintenance offset the EV's higher purchase price.
Tesla Model 3
$38,990
purchase price
Subaru Forester
$33,695
purchase price
EV saves
$1,232
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
EV saves you
$1,232
over 5 years
EV saves per month
$109
fuel + maintenance
Operating cost payback
3.4 years
within ownership
The difference between the Tesla Model 3 and Subaru Forester is small — only $1,232 over 5 years.
These vehicles are in different classes. The comparison is still valid but keep the size/class difference in mind.
EV saves you
$1,232
over 5 years (all-in)
EV saves per month
$109
fuel + maintenance
Operating cost payback
3.4 years
achievable within ownership
Vehicles compared
Model 3 · Forester · RAV4 Hybrid
EV · Gas · Hybrid
Full Cost Breakdown
| Tesla Model 3Electric | Subaru ForesterGas | Toyota RAV4 HybridBestHybrid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $38,990 | $33,695 | $35,385 |
| Monthly Fuel | $33 | $121 | $88 |
| Annual Fuel | $390 | $1,448 | $1,050 |
| Total Fuel | $1,950 | $7,241 | $5,250 |
| Total Maintenance | $2,750 | $5,250 | $5,000 |
| Total Insurance | $10,000 | $8,750 | $9,250 |
| Resale Value | $22,224 | $22,239 | $24,062 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | $31,466 | $32,698 | $30,823 |
Tesla Model 3
Electric
Subaru Forester
Gas
Toyota RAV4 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 RAV4 Hybrid may offer a good compromise between cost and efficiency.
Fuel vs Charging
Charging the Model 3 costs about $390/year vs $1448/year for gas in the Forester. That's $1058/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 $2500 in maintenance over the ownership period.
Depreciation & Resale
The Forester 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 Forester in the total comparison.
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EV vs Gas is a close call for me — only $1,232 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 Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is a gas-powered sedan achieving 29 MPG. Priced at $33,695, it costs around $1,050/year to maintain and $1,750/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.