Tesla Model 3 vs. Audi A5
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Tesla Model 3 and Audi A5 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 Tesla Model 3 and the Audi A5.
When comparing the Tesla Model 3's and the Audi A5's specifications and ratings, the Tesla Model 3 has the advantage in the areas of overall quality score and base engine power. The Audi A5 has the advantage in the areas of reliability and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Tesla Model 3's and the Audi A5's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Tesla Model 3 loses 46.7 percent of its value and the Audi A5 loses 46.2 percent of its value. This means the Audi A5 retains 0.5 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 Tesla Model 3 is 8.3 out of 10 while the Audi A5's quality rating is 7.7 out of 10. This results in the Tesla Model 3 being ranked 1 out of 26 Best Electric Cars and the Audi A5 being ranked 7 out of 27 Best Luxury Convertibles.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Tesla Model 3 is 7.2 out of 10. For the Audi A5 the reliability rating is 7.8 out of 10. This gives the Audi A5 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Tesla Model 3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Tesla Model 3’s base engine makes 271 horsepower, and the Audi A5 base engine makes 261 horsepower.
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:
-
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
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$58,237 - $67,656
Starting MSRP:
$55,600
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$48,375
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$31,800 - $79,900
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:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$58,095
Price Range:
$49,998 - $65,490
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$52,490
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$35,163 - $100,522
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
74
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
2,803
# Good or Great Deals:
3
Tesla Model 3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Audi A5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
Not available
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:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi A5
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
9.5
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
8.1 - 14.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.4%
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
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.2 - 14.6
Tesla 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 / 15Audi A5 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 27Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
7 out of / 27Ranking
9 out of / 27Ranking
14 out of / 27Ranking
17 out of / 27Ranking
23 out of / 27Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Tesla Model 3 Trim Levels
Base, Long Range, Performance
Audi A5 Trim Levels
quattro Premium 45 TFSI, quattro Premium Plus 45 TFSI, quattro Prestige 45 TFSI, quattro S line Prem Plus 45 TFSI, quattro S line Premium 45 TFSI, quattro S line Prestige 45 TFSI
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
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):
Not yet available
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:
271 hp
Torque:
310 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.070 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
261 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque:
273 foot-lbs @ 4200 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.065 hp per pound
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)
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):
24 / 33 / 27
MPGe:
Not applicable
Range (city/hwy):
367 / 505 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Battery Size/Capacity:
Not applicable
Maximum Charging Rate:
Not applicable
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
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
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
33.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
46.9 inches
Cargo Space:
9.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
83.0 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3990 lbs
Width:
79.9 inches
Height:
54.5 inches
Length:
184.9 inches
Wheelbase:
108.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/40R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Gray
Stealth Gray
Red
Ultra Red
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Green
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Navarra Blue Metallic
Gray
Chronos Gray Metallic / Daytona Gray Pearl Effect
Red
Progressive Red Metallic
White
Arkona White / Glacier White Metallic
Green
District Green Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
Black and White
Beige
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
Not available
Beige
Atlas Beige
Brown
Okapi Brown
Gray
Rock Gray
