Lexus ES 350 vs. Tesla Model 3
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Lexus ES 350 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 Lexus ES 350 and the Tesla Model 3.
When we compare the Lexus ES 350's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the Lexus ES 350 has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Lexus ES 350's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the Lexus ES 350 is a better car than the Tesla Model 3.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Lexus ES 350 loses 41.1 percent of its value and the Tesla Model 3 loses 46.7 percent of its value. This means the Lexus ES 350 retains 5.6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Tesla Model 3.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Lexus ES 350 is 8.7 out of 10 while the Tesla Model 3's quality rating is 8.3 out of 10. This results in the Lexus ES 350 being ranked 2 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 Lexus ES 350 is 9.0 out of 10. For the Tesla Model 3 the reliability rating is 7.2 out of 10. This gives the Lexus ES 350 an advantage in reliability compared to the Tesla Model 3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Lexus ES 350’s base engine makes 302 horsepower, and the Tesla Model 3 base engine makes 271 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Lexus ES 350 and Tesla Model 3 are comparable in regards to rear head room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Lexus ES 350 and the Tesla Model 3 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Lexus ES 350 has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$44,902 - $56,496
Starting MSRP:
$42,040
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$73,001
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$38,395 - $138,800
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$38,990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$47,030
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$38,990 - $52,200
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$47,885
Price Range:
$41,664 - $55,146
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$78,175
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$44,925 - $144,288
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
145
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
10,015
# Good or Great Deals:
26
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$60,093
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$58,090 - $62,096
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Lexus ES 350 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
9.0 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 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 Lexus ES 350
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
14.6
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
10.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
8.5 - 14.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
54.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 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:
1.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.8 - 16.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
127.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
9.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
1.5 - 127.5
Lexus ES 350 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
24 out of / 29Ranking
25 out of / 29Tesla 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
Lexus ES 350 Trim Levels
Base, F SPORT Design, F SPORT Handling, Luxury, Ultra Luxury
Tesla Model 3 Trim Levels
Base, Long Range, Performance
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 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):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
302 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque:
267 foot-lbs @ 4700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.082 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:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 32 / 26
MPGe:
Not applicable
Range (city/hwy):
350 / 509 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:
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
272 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Battery Size/Capacity:
50 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
10.4 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
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
360-Degree Camera:
Available
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:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.3 inches
Cargo Space:
13.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
99.9 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:
3690 lbs
Width:
73.4 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
195.9 inches
Wheelbase:
113 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3891 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:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/55R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Exterior Colors
Beige
Moonbeam Beige Metallic
Black
Caviar / Obsidian
Blue
Nightfall Mica
Gray
Cloudburst Gray
Green
Sunlit Green
Red
Matador Red Mica
Silver
Iridium
White
Eminent White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Gray
Stealth Gray
Green
Not available
Red
Ultra Red
Silver
Not available
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Interior Colors
Black
Black w/ Open-Pore Black Wood Trim / Black w/ Striated Black Film Trim
Brown
Acorn w/ Open-Pore Black Wood Trim / Acorn w/ Striated Black Film Trim / Palomino w/ Open-Pore Brown Walnut Trim / Palomino w/ Striated Black Film Trim
White
Macadamia w/ Ash Bamboo Trim
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
White
Black and White
