SUV comparison
Tesla Model Y vs BMW 3 Series
Which costs less to own over 5 years? Compare purchase price, fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation — then customize with your own numbers.
Tesla Model Y vs BMW 3 Series: Quick Verdict
Based on average driving (12,000 miles/year), the Tesla Model Y saves approximately $7,818 over 5 years compared to the BMW 3 Series. Lower charging costs and reduced maintenance offset the EV's higher purchase price.
Tesla Model Y
$44,990
purchase price
BMW 3 Series
$44,450
purchase price
EV saves
$7,818
over 5 years
Customize your mileage, gas price, and electricity rate below to get a personalized comparison.
Your Numbers
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Average American drives ~13,500 miles/year
Charge at home overnight — cheapest option
Tesla Model Y Saves You Money
EV saves you
$7,818
over 5 years
EV saves per month
$157
fuel + maintenance
Operating cost payback
1 year
within ownership
The Tesla Model Y saves you $7,818 over 5 years compared to the BMW 3 Series.
These vehicles are in different classes. The comparison is still valid but keep the size/class difference in mind.
EV saves you
$7,818
over 5 years (all-in)
EV saves per month
$157
fuel + maintenance
Operating cost payback
1 year
achievable within ownership
Vehicles compared
Model Y · BMW 3 Series · RAV4 Hybrid
EV · Gas · Hybrid
Full Cost Breakdown
| Tesla Model YElectric | BMW 3 SeriesGas | Toyota RAV4 HybridBestHybrid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $44,990 | $44,450 | $35,385 |
| Monthly Fuel | $35 | $117 | $88 |
| Annual Fuel | $421 | $1,400 | $1,050 |
| Total Fuel | $2,106 | $7,000 | $5,250 |
| Total Maintenance | $3,000 | $6,500 | $5,000 |
| Total Insurance | $10,500 | $11,500 | $9,250 |
| Resale Value | $24,745 | $25,781 | $24,062 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | $35,852 | $43,669 | $30,823 |
Tesla Model Y
Electric
BMW 3 Series
Gas
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Hybrid
Cost Over 5 Years
Why This Result
You break even in about 1.0 years. Lower charging costs and reduced maintenance give the EV a clear cost advantage at your mileage. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid falls in between at $30,823 total.
Fuel vs Charging
Charging the Model Y costs about $421/year vs $1400/year for gas in the BMW 3 Series. That's $979/year in fuel savings alone.
Maintenance
EVs have fewer moving parts — no oil changes, less brake wear, no transmission fluid. The Model Y saves roughly $3500 in maintenance over the ownership period.
Depreciation & Resale
The BMW 3 Series holds 58% of its value vs 55% for the Model Y. 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 $2,100/year for the Model Y vs $2,300/year for the BMW 3 Series in the total comparison.
Share Your Result
Let others see how the numbers compare.
I'd save $7,818 over 5 years with a Tesla Model Y vs BMW 3 Series. Break-even in 1.0 years. Check yours → isevworthit.com
About the Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is a fully electric suv with an efficiency of 0.27 kWh per mile. Priced at $44,990, it costs around $600/year to maintain and $2,100/year to insure. It's widely regarded as the Most Popular EV option in its class.
About the BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series is a gas-powered suv achieving 30 MPG. Priced at $44,450, it costs around $1,300/year to maintain and $2,300/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.