Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs. Tesla Model 3
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class 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 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Tesla Model 3.
In comparing the Mercedes-Benz E-Class's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has the advantage in the areas of reliability and overall quality score. The Tesla Model 3 has the advantage in the areas of resale value and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class'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 Mercedes-Benz E-Class loses 51.9 percent of its value and the Tesla Model 3 loses 46.7 percent of its value. This means the Tesla Model 3 retains 5.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is 8.5 out of 10 while the Tesla Model 3's quality rating is 8.3 out of 10.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is 8.3 out of 10. For the Tesla Model 3 the reliability rating is 7.2 out of 10. This gives the Mercedes-Benz E-Class an advantage in reliability compared to the Tesla Model 3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class’s base engine makes 255 horsepower, and the Tesla Model 3 base engine makes 271 horsepower.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Tesla Model 3 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
65777 - 85321
Starting MSRP:
62300
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
73001
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
38395 - 138800
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
38990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
47030
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
38990 - 52200
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
72388
Price Range:
65304 - 81067
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
78175
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
44925 - 144288
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
94
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
7807
# Good or Great Deals:
42
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
60093
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
58090 - 62096
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.516172 / 10
Reliability:
8.28525 / 10
Retained Value:
7.263267 / 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 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.8
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:
0.133
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:
3.479223207078875
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:
127.53393637090615
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
9.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
1.5 - 127.5
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 24Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 24Ranking
2 out of / 24Ranking
4 out of / 18Ranking
11 out of / 18Ranking
13 out of / 24Ranking
15 out of / 24Ranking
15 out of / 24Ranking
18 out of / 24Ranking
21 out of / 24Tesla 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, Wagon
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Trim Levels
E 350 4MATIC, E 450 4MATIC, E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain
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 / 50000 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:
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
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:
255 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 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:
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:
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
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
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
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
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
Automatic Parking:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
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
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Backup camera:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Backup camera:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.1 inches
Cargo Space:
19.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
100.0 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:
4189 lbs
Width:
81.3 inches
Height:
57.9 inches
Length:
194.9 inches
Wheelbase:
116.6 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:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/55R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Black / Obsidian Black Metallic
Blue
Nautical Blue Metallic
Brown
Sonoran Brown Metallic
Gray
Graphite Grey Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Alpine Grey
Red
MANUFAKTUR Cardinal Red Metallic
Silver
Cirrus Silver Metallic / Verde Silver Metallic
White
MANUFAKTUR Moonlight White Metallic / Polar White
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Brown
Not available
Gray
Stealth Gray
Red
Ultra Red
Silver
Not available
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Interior Colors
Beige
Macchiato Beige/Black
Black
Black
Brown
Tonka Brown/Black
Gray
Neva Grey/Black
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
White
Black and White