Mazda Mazda6 vs. Tesla Model 3
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda Mazda6 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 Mazda Mazda6 and the Tesla Model 3.
When comparing the Mazda Mazda6's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the Mazda Mazda6 has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. The Tesla Model 3 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mazda Mazda6's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the Mazda Mazda6 is a better car than the Tesla Model 3.
Pricing: A used 2021 Mazda Mazda6 ranges from $18,276 to $28,457 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 Mazda Mazda6 loses 37.9 percent of its value and the Tesla Model 3 loses 46.7 percent of its value. This means the Mazda Mazda6 retains 8.8 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 Mazda Mazda6 is 8.8 out of 10 while the Tesla Model 3's quality rating is 8.3 out of 10.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Mazda Mazda6 is 8.3 out of 10. For the Tesla Model 3 the reliability rating is 7.2 out of 10. This gives the Mazda Mazda6 an advantage in reliability compared to the Tesla Model 3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda Mazda6’s base engine makes 187 horsepower, and the Tesla Model 3 base engine makes 201 horsepower. The Mazda6 is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 574 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 Tesla Model 3 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Mazda Mazda6 the advantage in maximum range. The Mazda6 uses regular unleaded, and the Model 3 uses electricity.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mazda Mazda6, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Tesla Model 3, a electric compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Mazda Mazda6 and the Tesla Model 3 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
24475
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
25984
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
22270 - 36995
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
37990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
47447
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
37990 - 59900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
22750
Price Range:
18276 - 28457
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
23413
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
19265 - 31049
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
83
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
55413
# Good or Great Deals:
23
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
29870
Price Range:
23989 - 37536
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
30521
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
24808 - 36884
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
568
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
55976
# Good or Great Deals:
195
Mazda Mazda6 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.805614 / 10
Reliability:
8.273358 / 10
Retained Value:
8.143485 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Tesla Model 3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.263727 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.591183 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda Mazda6
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
6.5 - 10.0
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.106
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:
1.5245719114858711
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
4.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.5 - 13.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
566.6998758396176
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
1.7 - 566.7
Mazda Mazda6 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Tesla Model 3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
3 out of / 30Ranking
3 out of / 22Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
5 out of / 27Ranking
6 out of / 30Ranking
6 out of / 30Ranking
7 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 22Ranking
16 out of / 30Ranking
17 out of / 22Ranking
18 out of / 30Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Mazda Mazda6 Trim Levels
Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, Signature, Sport, Touring
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:
3 years / 36000 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:
4 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:
4 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:
187 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
186 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.054 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:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 35 / 29
MPGe:
Not applicable
Range (city/hwy):
426 / 574 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
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
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
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
Sunroof/Moonroof:
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
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
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
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
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
Sunroof/Moonroof:
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
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
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:
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:
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:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
14.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
99.8 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:
3437 lbs
Width:
82.3 inches
Height:
57.1 inches
Length:
192.7 inches
Wheelbase:
111.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.5 inches
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:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/55R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica
Gray
Machine Gray Metallic
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
White
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Gray
Not available
Red
Red Multi-Coat
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Silver
Midnight Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
Black and White
