2021 Ford Mustang vs. 2021 Tesla Model 3
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2021 Ford Mustang and 2021 Tesla Model 3 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2021 Ford Mustang and the 2021 Tesla Model 3.
When we compare the 2021 Ford Mustang's and the 2021 Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Ford Mustang has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, reliability, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. The 2021 Tesla Model 3 has the advantage in the area of interior volume. Based on this comparison of the 2021 Ford Mustang's and the 2021 Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Ford Mustang is a better car than the 2021 Tesla Model 3.
Pricing: A used 2021 Ford Mustang ranges from $23,343 to $83,255 while a used 2021 Tesla Model 3 is priced between $23,989 to $37,536.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2021 Ford Mustang loses 26.2 percent of its value and the 2021 Tesla Model 3 loses 46.7 percent of its value. This means the 2021 Ford Mustang retains 20.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2021 Tesla Model 3.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Ford Mustang is 8.5 out of 10 while the Tesla Model 3's quality rating is 8.3 out of 10. This results in the Ford Mustang being ranked 1 out of 15 Best Sports Cars and the Tesla Model 3 being ranked 1 out of 26 Best Electric Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Ford Mustang is 8.2 out of 10. For the Tesla Model 3 the reliability rating is 7.2 out of 10. This gives the Ford Mustang a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Tesla Model 3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2021 Ford Mustang’s base engine makes 310 horsepower, and the 2021 Tesla Model 3 base engine makes 201 horsepower. The Mustang is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 450 miles. The Model 3 is rated to deliver an average of 127 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 267 miles.This gives the 2021 Tesla Model 3 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the 2021 Ford Mustang the advantage in maximum range. The Mustang uses regular unleaded, and the Model 3 uses electricity.
Passenger Space Comparison: The 2021 Tesla Model 3, a electric compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The 2021 Ford Mustang, a sports car, has the advantage in the area of front leg room. The 2021 Ford Mustang and 2021 Tesla Model 3 are comparable in regards to front shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the 2021 Ford Mustang and the 2021 Tesla Model 3 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$27,205
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
$29,748
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
$25,000 - $33,045
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$37,990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$47,447
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$37,990 - $59,900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$37,360
Price Range:
$23,343 - $83,255
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
$30,700
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
$25,191 - $37,360
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
712
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
34,716
# Good or Great Deals:
259
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$29,870
Price Range:
$23,989 - $37,536
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$30,521
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$24,808 - $36,884
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
734
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
45,693
# Good or Great Deals:
348
Ford Mustang Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
8.9 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Tesla Model 3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Ford Mustang
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
8.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Sports Cars)
8.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Sports Cars)
5.9 - 12.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
4.8%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Tesla Model 3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
2.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
1.6 - 4.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
566.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
1.7 - 566.7
Ford Mustang Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 14Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 15Ranking
5 out of / 10Ranking
8 out of / 15Ranking
9 out of / 15Tesla Model 3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 14Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 26Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 26Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 15Ranking
11 out of / 26Ranking
11 out of / 26Ranking
11 out of / 15Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
2021 Ford Mustang Trim Levels
Not yet available
2021 Tesla Model 3 Trim Levels
Long Range, Performance, Standard Range Plus
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
310 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
350 foot-lbs @ 3000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.089 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
201 hp
Torque:
258 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 29 / 24
MPGe:
Not applicable
Range (city/hwy):
326 / 450 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Battery Size/Capacity :
Not applicable
Maximum Charging Rate:
Not applicable
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
Not Applicable
Engine Configuration:
Not Applicable
Number of Cylinders:
Not Applicable
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not applicable
MPGe:
127 / 127 / 127
Range (city/hwy):
267 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity:
50 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
10 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Satellite radio:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
45.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
34.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
29 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.2 inches
Cargo Space:
13.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
82.8 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Cargo Space:
15 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
97.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3491 lbs
Width:
81.9 inches
Height:
54.3 inches
Length:
188.5 inches
Wheelbase:
107.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3648 lbs
Width:
82.2 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
184.8 inches
Wheelbase:
113.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P235/55R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Shadow Black
Blue
Antimatter Blue / Velocity Blue
Gray
Carbonized Grey
Orange
Twister Orange Tri-Coat
Red
Race Red / Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
Silver
Iconic Silver
White
Oxford White
Yellow
Grabber Yellow
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Gray
Not available
Orange
Not available
Red
Red Multi-Coat
Silver
Midnight Silver Metallic
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Yellow
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Ebony
Gray
Dark Ceramic
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
White
Black and White
