Tesla Model 3 vs. Ford Fusion
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Tesla Model 3 and Ford Fusion 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 Ford Fusion.
In comparing the Tesla Model 3's and the Ford Fusion's specifications and ratings, the Tesla Model 3 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Ford Fusion 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. Based on this comparison of the Tesla Model 3's and the Ford Fusion's specifications and ratings, the Ford Fusion is a better car than the Tesla Model 3.
Pricing: A used 2020 Tesla Model 3 ranges from $22,998 to $35,552 while a used 2020 Ford Fusion is priced between $14,994 to $23,000.
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 Ford Fusion loses 42.3 percent of its value. This means the Ford Fusion retains 4.5 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 Ford Fusion's quality rating is 8.7 out of 10.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Tesla Model 3 is 7.2 out of 10. For the Ford Fusion the reliability rating is 8.2 out of 10. This gives the Ford Fusion 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 283 horsepower, and the Ford Fusion base engine makes 175 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Ford Fusion, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Tesla Model 3, a electric compact car, has the advantage in the area of front head room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Tesla Model 3 and the Ford Fusion have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
35000
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
39725
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
35000 - 44450
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
23170
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
25348
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
22095 - 35995
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
28695
Price Range:
22998 - 35552
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
26027
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
23359 - 28695
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
423
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
63588
# Good or Great Deals:
139
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
18866
Price Range:
14994 - 23000
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
21688
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
17665 - 30211
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
690
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
73054
# Good or Great Deals:
232
Tesla Model 3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.263727 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.591183 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Ford Fusion Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.687681 / 10
Reliability:
8.191522 / 10
Retained Value:
7.871521 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
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 Ford Fusion
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
6.0
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
5.3 - 9.0
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.063
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
485.0247900270662
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
244.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
3.3 - 485.0
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.9233628838041916
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.2 - 16.8
Tesla 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 / 30Ford Fusion Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
13 out of / 13Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Tesla Model 3 Trim Levels
Long Range, Performance, Standard Range, Standard Range Plus
Ford Fusion Trim Levels
S, SE, SEL, Titanium
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years / 120000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
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
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:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
283 hp
Torque:
317 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.078 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
175 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
175 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
Not Applicable
Engine Configuration:
Not Applicable
Number of Cylinders:
Not Applicable
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD / RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not applicable
MPGe:
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
220 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Battery Size/Capacity :
50 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
10 hours (240V)
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 31 / 24
MPGe:
Not applicable
Range (city/hwy):
347 / 512 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular 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
Heated Seats
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
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
102.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3624 lbs
Width:
82.2 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
184.8 inches
Wheelbase:
113.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3410 lbs
Width:
83.5 inches
Height:
58.1 inches
Length:
191.7 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 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:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Red
Red Multi-Coat
Silver
Midnight Silver Metallic
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Gray
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Agate Black
Blue
Velocity Blue
Red
Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
Silver
Iconic Silver
White
Oxford White
Gray
Magnetic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
Black and White
Brown
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
White
Not available
Brown
Medium Light Stone
