Tesla Model 3 vs. Volkswagen Golf
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Tesla Model 3 and Volkswagen Golf 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 Volkswagen Golf.
When comparing the Tesla Model 3's and the Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the Tesla Model 3 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Volkswagen Golf 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 Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf is a better car than the Tesla Model 3.
Pricing: A used 2021 Tesla Model 3 ranges from $23,989 to $37,536 while a used 2021 Volkswagen Golf is priced between $15,188 to $22,985.
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 Volkswagen Golf loses 34.5 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Golf retains 12.2 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 Volkswagen Golf's quality rating is 8.8 out of 10. This results in the Tesla Model 3 being ranked 1 out of 26 Best Electric Cars and the Volkswagen Golf being ranked 8 out of 43 Best Small Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Tesla Model 3 is 7.2 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Golf the reliability rating is 8.2 out of 10. This gives the Volkswagen Golf 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 201 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf base engine makes 147 horsepower. 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. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 33 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 515 miles.This gives the Tesla Model 3 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Volkswagen Golf the advantage in maximum range. The Model 3 uses electricity, and the Golf uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Volkswagen Golf, a compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more rear head room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Tesla Model 3, a electric compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room and rear shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Tesla Model 3 and the Volkswagen Golf have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$37,990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$47,447
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$37,990 - $59,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$23,195
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$21,197
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$15,295 - $28,695
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$29,870
Price Range:
$23,989 - $37,536
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$30,521
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$24,808 - $36,884
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,100
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
47,574
# Good or Great Deals:
593
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$18,473
Price Range:
$15,188 - $22,985
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$21,394
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$13,751 - $30,996
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
37
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
51,952
# Good or Great Deals:
7
Tesla Model 3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 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 Volkswagen Golf
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
9.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
7.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
7.1 - 10.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
19.8%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
566.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
1.7 - 566.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.3 - 16.8
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 / 15Volkswagen Golf Rankings
Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
9 out of / 43Ranking
14 out of / 43Ranking
29 out of / 43Ranking
30 out of / 43Ranking
32 out of / 43Ranking
33 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Tesla Model 3 Trim Levels
Long Range, Performance, Standard Range Plus
Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels
TSI
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:
3 years / 36000 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:
201 hp
Torque:
258 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 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):
267 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity :
50 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
10 hours (240V)
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 39 / 33
MPGe:
Not applicable
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 515 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
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
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
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
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:
Available
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
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:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
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:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
17.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
110.9 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2945 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
58.2 inches
Length:
167.6 inches
Wheelbase:
103.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 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:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/55R16
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
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Silk Blue Metallic
Red
Not available
Silver
White Silver Metallic
White
Pure White
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
Black and White
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
White
Not available
Beige
Beige
