BMW M5 vs. Tesla Model 3
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW M5 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 BMW M5 and the Tesla Model 3.
When we compare the BMW M5's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the BMW M5 has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume and base engine power. The Tesla Model 3 has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, resale value and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the BMW M5's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2023 BMW M5 ranges from $96,169 to $120,129 while a used 2023 Tesla Model 3 is priced between $25,605 to $41,197.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW M5 loses 54.1 percent of its value and the Tesla Model 3 loses 46.7 percent of its value. This means the Tesla Model 3 retains 7.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW M5.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW M5 is 7.3 out of 10 while the Tesla Model 3's quality rating is 8.3 out of 10. This results in the BMW M5 being ranked 15 out of 29 Best Luxury Midsize Cars and the Tesla Model 3 being ranked 1 out of 26 Best Electric Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW M5 is 7.6 out of 10. For the Tesla Model 3 the reliability rating is 7.2 out of 10. This gives the BMW M5 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Tesla Model 3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW M5’s base engine makes 600 horsepower, and the Tesla Model 3 base engine makes 271 horsepower. The M5 is rated to deliver an average of 17 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 422 miles. The Model 3 is rated to deliver an average of 127 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 272 miles.This gives the Tesla Model 3 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the BMW M5 the advantage in maximum range. The M5 uses premium unleaded, and the Model 3 uses electricity.
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW M5, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Tesla Model 3, a electric compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front leg room cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Tesla Model 3 has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$120,080 - $152,523
Starting MSRP:
$109,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$71,383
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$38,195 - $134,100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$40,240
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$46,880
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$40,240 - $52,000
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$107,306
Price Range:
$96,169 - $120,129
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$71,027
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$39,610 - $126,923
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
17
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
16,347
# Good or Great Deals:
7
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$31,092
Price Range:
$25,605 - $41,197
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$42,526
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$31,092 - $51,416
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
391
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
24,657
# Good or Great Deals:
223
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$59,969
Depreciation %:
54.6%
Resale Value $:
$49,931
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
48.5%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
45.7% - 54.6%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
Typical Category Depreciation %:
N/A
Category Depreciation Range:
N/A
BMW M5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.1 / 10
Safety:
Not available
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 BMW M5
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
10
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
7 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
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:
4.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
2.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.6 - 28.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
293.9
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
25.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
2.2 - 293.9
BMW M5 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 9Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
15 out of / 29Ranking
17 out of / 29Ranking
19 out of / 20Tesla 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
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
BMW M5 Trim Levels
Base
Tesla Model 3 Trim Levels
Base, 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 / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 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
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
600 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
553 foot-lbs @ 1800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.138 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
271 hp
Torque:
310 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.070 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
4.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
8
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
15 / 21 / 17
MPGe:
Not applicable
Range (city/hwy):
302 / 422 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium 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 / 126 / 127
Range (city/hwy):
272 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity:
50 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
10.4 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
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
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
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
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Cargo Space:
14 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
103.0 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:
22.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
97.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4345 lbs
Width:
83.7 inches
Height:
58 inches
Length:
196.4 inches
Wheelbase:
117.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.2 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3862 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:
19.0 x 9.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/40R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic
Blue
Marina Bay Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Alvite Grey Metallic / Dark Graphite Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Green
San Remo Green Metallic
Red
Aventurin Red Metallic
White
Alpine White
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Gray
Not available
Green
Not available
Red
Red Multi-Coat
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Silver
Midnight Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black/Midrand Beige
Brown
Aragon Brown / Tartufo
Gray
Silverstone
White
Smoke White/Black
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
White
Black and White
