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Tesla Model 3 vs. Toyota Prius

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Tesla Model 3 and Toyota Prius 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 Toyota Prius.

When we compare the Tesla Model 3's and the Toyota Prius's specifications and ratings, the Tesla Model 3 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Toyota Prius has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Tesla Model 3's and the Toyota Prius's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Prius is a better car than the Tesla Model 3.

Pricing: A used 2025 Tesla Model 3 ranges from $34,489 to $42,997 while a used 2026 Toyota Prius is priced between $30,339 to $37,878.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Tesla Model 3 loses 57 percent of its value and the Toyota Prius loses 35.6 percent of its value. This means the Toyota Prius retains 21.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Tesla Model 3.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Tesla Model 3’s base engine makes 425 horsepower, and the Toyota Prius base engine makes 194 horsepower.

Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Tesla Model 3 and the Toyota Prius have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.

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Model & Pricing
Tesla Model 3
Toyota Prius

2025 Tesla Model 3
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Tesla Model 3 for Sale

2026 Toyota Prius
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Toyota Prius for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

-

Starting MSRP:

42490

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)

53363

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)

42490 - 64800

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

30099 - 40114

Starting MSRP:

28550

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)

29338

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)

24575 - 33775

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

38037

Price Range:

34489 - 42997

Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)

49176

Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)

38037 - 60314

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

# Good or Great Deals:

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

34477

Price Range:

30339 - 37878

Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)

34477

Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)

34477 - 34477

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

# Good or Great Deals:

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

24507

Depreciation %:

0.57676273

Resale Value $:

17983

Residual Value %:

0.42323727

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)

0.57677703

Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)

0.57676273 - 0.68367001

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

10396

Depreciation %:

0.36412662

Resale Value $:

18154

Residual Value %:

0.63587338

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)

0.35835614

Category Depreciation Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)

0.33801262 - 0.43740554

Tesla Model 3 Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

Not available

Reliability:

Not available

Retained Value:

7.3 / 10

Safety:

8.0 / 10

Toyota Prius Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

9.0 / 10

Reliability:

8.1 / 10

Retained Value:

8.8 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Tesla Model 3

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

Typical Category Life Expectancy:

N/A

Category Life Expectancy Range:

N/A

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Toyota Prius

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

15.7

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)

13.0

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)

10.4 - 15.7

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

0.429



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

167.42938742975846

Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)

6.8

Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)

6.4 - 167.4

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

Typical Category Recalls:

N/A

Category Range for Recalls:

N/A

Tesla Model 3 Rankings

Most Affordable Luxury Electric Cars

1 / 21

Safest Electric Cars

3 / 30

Luxury Electric Cars with Best Resale Value

3 / 22

Best Luxury Electric Cars for Tall People

4 / 22

Longest Range Luxury Electric Cars

4 / 22

Most Comfortable Luxury Electric Cars

4 / 22

Most Affordable Electric Cars

5 / 27

Electric Cars with Best Resale Value

6 / 30

Most Comfortable Electric Cars

6 / 30

Best Electric Cars for Tall People

7 / 30

Luxury Electric Cars with the Most Legroom

11 / 22

Electric Cars with the Most Legroom

16 / 30

Luxury Electric Cars with the Most Horsepower

17 / 22

Electric Cars with the Most Horsepower

18 / 30

Toyota Prius Rankings

Best Family Hybrid Cars

1 / 25

Best Hybrid Cars

1 / 25

Most Reliable Hybrid Cars

1 / 25

Safest Hybrid Cars

1 / 25

Best Hybrid Cars for the Money

1 / 15

Best Family Hybrid Small Cars

1 / 10

Best Hybrid Small Cars

1 / 10

Best Hybrid Cars Under $30k

1 / 9

Most Reliable Hybrid Cars Under $30k

1 / 9

Best Hybrid Small Cars Under $30k

1 / 5

Most Reliable Hybrid Small Cars Under $30k

1 / 5

Best Hybrid Cars for Teens

1 / 1

Best Hybrid Small Cars for Teens

1 / 1

Most Affordable Hybrid Cars

3 / 15

Most Affordable Hybrid Small Cars

3 / 7

Best Gas Mileage Hybrid Cars

4 / 25

Hybrid Cars with Best Resale Value

5 / 25

Hybrid Small Cars with Best Resale Value

5 / 10

Hybrid Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

5 / 10

Most Comfortable Hybrid Small Cars

6 / 10

Best Hybrid Small Cars for Tall People

7 / 10

Hybrid Small Cars with the Most Legroom

8 / 10

Most Comfortable Hybrid Cars

9 / 25

Hybrid Cars with the Most Horsepower

16 / 25

Hybrid Cars with the Most Legroom

18 / 25

Best Hybrid Cars for Tall People

21 / 25

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Hatchback

Available Drivetrain Options

Electric

Available Drivetrain Options

Hybrid

Tesla Model 3 Trim Levels

Long Range, Performance

Toyota Prius Trim Levels

LE, Limited, Nightshade, XLE

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:

3 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):

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:

425 hp

Torque:

475 foot-lbs

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.105 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

194 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque:

Not yet available

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.063 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:

127 / 127 / 127

Range (city/hwy):

363 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Electricity

Battery Size/Capacity :

82 kWh

Maximum Charging Rate:

11.7 hours (240V)

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD / AWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


Not yet available

MPGe:

Not yet available

Range (city/hwy):

Not yet available

Recommended Fuel Type:

Not yet available

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

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Internet Radio:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Power Lift Gate:

Available

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wifi:

Standard

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:

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Satellite radio:

Standard

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

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

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

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

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 inches

Front Leg Room:

43.2 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

55.3 inches

Rear Head Room:

36.4 inches

Rear Leg Room:

34.8 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

52.8 inches

Cargo Space:

23.8 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

115 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

4030 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:

3097 lbs

Width:

70.2 inches

Height:

55.9 inches

Length:

181.1 inches

Wheelbase:

108.3 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.6 inches

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:

17.0 x 6.5 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

P195/60R17

Exterior Colors

Black

Solid Black

Blue

Deep Blue Metallic

Gray

Stealth Gray

Red

Ultra Red

Silver

Quicksilver

White

Pearl White Multi-Coat

Exterior Colors

Black

Midnight Black Metallic

Blue

Reservoir Blue

Gray

Guardian Gray

Red

Supersonic Red

Silver

Cutting Edge

White

Wind Chill Pearl

Interior Colors

Black

Black

White

Black and White

Gray

Not available

Interior Colors

Black

Gradient Black

White

Not available

Gray

Light Gray

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