Audi S3 vs. Tesla Model 3
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi S3 and 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 Audi S3 and the Tesla Model 3.
In comparing the Audi S3's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the Audi S3 has the advantage in the area of resale value. The Tesla Model 3 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Audi S3's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi S3 loses 48.3 percent of its value and the Tesla Model 3 loses 57 percent of its value. This means the Audi S3 retains 8.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Tesla Model 3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi S3’s base engine makes 328 horsepower, and the Tesla Model 3 base engine makes 425 horsepower.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Audi S3 and the Tesla Model 3 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
52000
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
60930
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
41700 - 102100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
42490
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
53363
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
42490 - 64800
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
38037
Price Range:
34489 - 42997
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
49176
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
38037 - 60314
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
25354
Depreciation %:
0.48756813
Resale Value $:
26646
Residual Value %:
0.51243187
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
0.47202712
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
0.43382734 - 0.48756813
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
24507
Depreciation %:
0.57676273
Resale Value $:
17983
Residual Value %:
0.42323727
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
0.57677703
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
0.57676273 - 0.68367001
Audi S3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Tesla Model 3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi S3
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
13.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
13.4 - 13.9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Tesla Model 3
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
167.42938742975846
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
6.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
6.4 - 167.4
Audi S3 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
3 out of / 9Ranking
6 out of / 30Ranking
8 out of / 35Ranking
8 out of / 35Ranking
9 out of / 35Ranking
15 out of / 35Ranking
18 out of / 35Ranking
20 out of / 35Ranking
20 out of / 30Ranking
33 out of / 35Ranking
33 out of / 35Tesla Model 3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 22Ranking
2 out of / 25Ranking
3 out of / 34Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 25Ranking
4 out of / 25Ranking
4 out of / 25Ranking
5 out of / 25Ranking
6 out of / 34Ranking
8 out of / 34Ranking
8 out of / 34Ranking
13 out of / 25Ranking
17 out of / 25Ranking
18 out of / 34Ranking
19 out of / 34Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Audi S3 Trim Levels
2.0T quattro Premium
Tesla Model 3 Trim Levels
Long Range, Performance
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years / 120000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
328 hp @ 5850 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.092 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
425 hp
Torque:
475 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.105 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
MPGe:
Not applicable
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
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):
363 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity:
82 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
11.7 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
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
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
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
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
36.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53 inches
Cargo Space:
8.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
87.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.2 inches
Cargo Space:
24.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3549 lbs
Width:
78.1 inches
Height:
55.7 inches
Length:
177.4 inches
Wheelbase:
103.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4030 lbs
Width:
82.2 inches
Height:
56.7 inches
Length:
185.8 inches
Wheelbase:
113.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/40R18XL
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Ascari Blue Metallic / Navarra Blue Metallic
Gray
Daytona Gray Pearl Effect
Green
District Green Metallic
Red
Progressive Red Metallic
White
Arkona White / Glacier White Metallic
Yellow
Python Yellow Metallic
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Gray
Stealth Gray
Green
Not available
Red
Ultra Red
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Yellow
Not available
Silver
Quicksilver
Interior Colors
Black
Black w/ Express Red Stitching / Black w/ Rock Gray Stitching
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
Black and White
