Page Loading

Tesla Model S vs. Tesla Model 3

In comparing the Tesla Model S's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the Tesla Model S has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The Tesla Model 3 has the advantage in the area of resale value. Based on this comparison of the Tesla Model S's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the Tesla Model S is a better car than the Tesla Model 3.

Tesla Model S vs. Tesla Model 3 Resale/Retained Value

Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Tesla Model S loses 52.3 percent of its value and the Tesla Model 3 loses 48.2 percent of its value. This means the Tesla Model 3 retains 4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Tesla Model S.

Tesla Model S vs. Tesla Model 3 Quality Rating

The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Tesla Model S is 8.8 out of 10 while the Tesla Model 3's quality rating is 8.7 out of 10. This results in the Tesla Model S being ranked 1 out of 27 Best Electric Cars and the Tesla Model 3 being ranked 2 out of 27. Out of 15 Best Luxury Electric Cars, the Tesla Model S is ranked 1 and the Tesla Model 3 is ranked 2.

Tesla Model S vs. Tesla Model 3 Reliability Rating

iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Tesla Model S is 9.4 out of 10. For the Tesla Model 3 the reliability rating is 7.2 out of 10. This gives the Tesla Model S an advantage in reliability compared to the Tesla Model 3.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison

For engine performance, the Tesla Model S’s base engine makes 670 horsepower, and the Tesla Model 3 base engine makes 321 horsepower.

Passenger Space Comparison

The Tesla Model S, a electric large car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder 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 areas of front head room and front leg room.

Safety Ratings Comparison

The Tesla Model 3 has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.

See More See Less
Model & Pricing
Tesla Model S
Tesla Model 3

2024 Tesla Model S
Change Vehicle
Local Listings

2024 Tesla Model 3
Change Vehicle
Local Listings

Pricing

New Asking Price:

-

Used Asking Price:

-

5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):

52.3%

Pricing

New Asking Price:

-

Used Asking Price:

-

5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):

48.2%

Tesla Model S Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.8 / 10

Reliability:

9.4 / 10

Retained Value:

8.3 / 10

Safety:

Not available

Tesla Model 3 Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.7 / 10

Reliability:

7.2 / 10

Retained Value:

9.0 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10

Tesla Model S Rankings

Best Electric Cars

1 / 27

Most Reliable Electric Cars

1 / 27

Best Luxury Electric Cars

1 / 15

Most Reliable Luxury Electric Cars

1 / 15

Best Electric Luxury Hatchbacks

1 / 6

Electric Luxury Hatchbacks with Best Resale Value

1 / 6

Electric Luxury Hatchbacks with the Most Cargo Space

1 / 6

Electric Luxury Hatchbacks with the Most Horsepower

1 / 6

Longest Range Electric Luxury Hatchbacks

1 / 6

Best American Electric Cars

1 / 5

Best Electric Luxury Large Cars

1 / 4

Electric Luxury Large Cars with Best Resale Value

1 / 4

Electric Luxury Large Cars with the Most Cargo Space

1 / 4

Electric Luxury Large Cars with the Most Horsepower

1 / 4

Longest Range Electric Luxury Large Cars

1 / 4

Most Affordable Electric Luxury Large Cars

1 / 4

Best American Luxury Electric Cars

1 / 3

Best American Electric Luxury Hatchbacks

1 / 1

Best American Electric Luxury Large Cars

1 / 1

Electric Cars with the Most Cargo Space

2 / 27

Electric Cars with the Most Horsepower

2 / 27

Longest Range Luxury Electric Cars

2 / 15

Luxury Electric Cars with Best Resale Value

2 / 15

Luxury Electric Cars with the Most Cargo Space

2 / 15

Luxury Electric Cars with the Most Horsepower

2 / 15

Most Comfortable Electric Luxury Large Cars

2 / 4

Most Comfortable Electric Luxury Hatchbacks

3 / 6

Most Affordable Electric Luxury Hatchbacks

3 / 5

Best Electric Luxury Large Cars for Tall People

3 / 4

Electric Cars with Best Resale Value

4 / 27

Best Electric Luxury Hatchbacks for Tall People

4 / 6

Most Comfortable Luxury Electric Cars

6 / 15

Most Affordable Luxury Electric Cars

6 / 14

Most Comfortable Electric Cars

8 / 27

Best Luxury Electric Cars for Tall People

8 / 15

Most Affordable Electric Cars

10 / 18

Best Electric Cars for Tall People

11 / 27

Tesla Model 3 Rankings

Electric Cars with Best Resale Value

1 / 27

Safest Electric Cars

1 / 27

Luxury Electric Cars with Best Resale Value

1 / 15

Most Affordable Luxury Electric Cars

1 / 14

Best Small Electric Cars

1 / 13

Longest Range Small Electric Cars

1 / 13

Small Electric Cars with Best Resale Value

1 / 13

Best American Small Electric Cars

1 / 3

Best Electric Luxury Compact Cars

1 / 3

Best Electric Luxury Compact Cars for Tall People

1 / 3

Best Electric Luxury Small Cars

1 / 3

Best Electric Luxury Small Cars for Tall People

1 / 3

Electric Luxury Compact Cars with Best Resale Value

1 / 3

Electric Luxury Small Cars with Best Resale Value

1 / 3

Longest Range Electric Luxury Compact Cars

1 / 3

Longest Range Electric Luxury Small Cars

1 / 3

Most Comfortable Electric Luxury Compact Cars

1 / 3

Most Comfortable Electric Luxury Small Cars

1 / 3

Most Affordable Electric Luxury Compact Cars

1 / 2

Most Affordable Electric Luxury Small Cars

1 / 2

Best American Electric Luxury Compact Cars

1 / 1

Best American Electric Luxury Small Cars

1 / 1

Best Electric Cars

2 / 27

Best Luxury Electric Cars

2 / 15

Most Reliable Luxury Electric Cars

2 / 15

Best Small Electric Cars for Tall People

2 / 13

Small Electric Cars with the Most Horsepower

2 / 13

Best American Electric Cars

2 / 5

Best American Luxury Electric Cars

2 / 3

Electric Luxury Compact Cars with the Most Horsepower

2 / 3

Electric Luxury Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

2 / 3

Best Luxury Electric Cars for Tall People

3 / 15

Longest Range Luxury Electric Cars

3 / 15

Most Comfortable Luxury Electric Cars

3 / 15

Most Comfortable Small Electric Cars

3 / 13

Most Reliable Small Electric Cars

3 / 13

Best Electric Cars for Tall People

4 / 27

Most Reliable Electric Cars

4 / 27

Most Affordable Electric Cars

4 / 18

Most Affordable Small Electric Cars

4 / 5

Most Comfortable Electric Cars

5 / 27

Electric Cars with the Most Horsepower

12 / 27

Luxury Electric Cars with the Most Horsepower

12 / 15

Summary Review

Tesla’s Model S was the vehicle that proved beyond a doubt electric cars don’t need to be boring econoboxes with a short range. This is the industry’s most prolific large electric sedan, and is considered the flagship in the Tesla line.

See More See Less

Summary Review

The Tesla Model 3 is widely regarded as the best electric sedan in the world. The Model 3 is also the top-selling EV in the US market by a wide margin. This compact/midsize sedan offers a thrilling driving experience and advanced technology.

See More See Less

Pros and Cons

  • Unbeatable performance in top trims
  • Roomy, large sedan size
  • Appealing style, inside and out

  • No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay
  • No spare tire on any trim
  • Few luxury features

Pros and Cons

  • Excellent range
  • AWD available
  • Attractive styling
  • Amazing performance with Performance trim

  • No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay
  • Pricier than its reputation (mid-$50Ks is the typical price point)
  • No spare tire on any trim
  • Interior design and materials don’t match premium pricing

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Electric

Available Drivetrain Options

Electric

Tesla Model S Trim Levels

Base, Plaid

Tesla Model 3 Trim Levels

Base, Long Range, Performance

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

8 years / 150000 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):

Not yet available

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specifications

Horsepower:

670 hp

Torque:

Not yet available

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

0.147 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specifications

Horsepower:

321 hp

Torque:

332 foot-lbs

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

0.083 hp per pound

Engine Specifications

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

AWD

MPGe:

Not yet available

Range (city/hwy):

405 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Not yet available

Battery Size/Capacity :

100 kWh

Maximum Charging Rate:

15 hours (240V)

Engine Specifications

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

RWD / AWD

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

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Standard

Heated Seats

Standard

Heated Steering Wheel:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Leather Upholstery:

Standard

Navigation System:

Standard

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Standard

Android Auto:

N/A

Apple Car Play:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Heated Seats

Standard

Heated Steering Wheel:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Leather Upholstery:

Standard

Navigation System:

Standard

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Standard

Android Auto:

N/A

Apple Car Play:

N/A

Safety Equipment

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 Equipment

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

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

39.7 inches

Front Leg Room:

42.4 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

58.4 inches

Rear Head Room:

38.1 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.5 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

55.1 inches

Cargo Space:

28.2 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

120.3 cubic feet

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:

22.9 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

97.0 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

4561 lbs

Width:

86.2 inches

Height:

56.3 inches

Length:

197.7 inches

Wheelbase:

116.5 inches

Ground Clearance:

5 inches

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3862 lbs

Width:

82.2 inches

Height:

56.8 inches

Length:

184.8 inches

Wheelbase:

113.2 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.5 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

19.0 x 9.5 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

255/45R19

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

18.0 x 8.5 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

235/45R18

Popular Model S Model Year Comparisons

Popular Model 3 Model Year Comparisons

Related Car Comparisons

Popular Model S Trim Comparisons

Popular Model 3 Trim Comparisons

Popular Car Comparisons