Toyota Corolla SE vs. Tesla Model 3 Base
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Toyota Corolla SE and Tesla Model 3 Base 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 Toyota Corolla SE and the Tesla Model 3 Base.
In comparing the Toyota Corolla SE's and the Tesla Model 3 Base's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Corolla SE has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. The Tesla Model 3 Base has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Toyota Corolla SE's and the Tesla Model 3 Base's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Corolla SE is a better car than the Tesla Model 3 Base.
Pricing: A used 2024 Toyota Corolla SE ranges from $21,535 to $27,557 while a used 2024 Tesla Model 3 Base is priced between $29,319 to $37,315.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Toyota Corolla SE loses 31.3 percent of its value and the Tesla Model 3 Base loses 57 percent of its value. This means the Toyota Corolla SE retains 25.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Tesla Model 3 Base.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Toyota Corolla SE’s base engine makes 169 horsepower, and the Tesla Model 3 Base base engine makes 271 horsepower. The SE is rated to deliver an average of 35 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 541 miles. The Base is rated to deliver an average of 127 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 272 miles.This gives the Tesla Model 3 Base the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Toyota Corolla SE the advantage in maximum range. The SE uses regular unleaded, and the Base uses electricity.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Toyota Corolla SE and the Tesla Model 3 Base have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
24341 - 28144
Starting MSRP:
24490
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
26555
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
17795 - 45665
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
38990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
47030
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
38990 - 52200
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
24533
Price Range:
21535 - 27557
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
26717
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
15053 - 44102
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
513
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
24285
# Good or Great Deals:
265
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
32978
Price Range:
29319 - 37315
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
41906
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
36868 - 51073
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
14
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
12766
# Good or Great Deals:
2
Toyota Corolla Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
9.0 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Tesla Model 3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Toyota Corolla SE
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
10.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
11.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
7.8 - 15.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.184
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Tesla Model 3 Base
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:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.9114982618719925
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.6 - 22.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
184.07897964940872
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
21.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
10.0 - 184.1
Toyota Corolla Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 37Ranking
6 out of / 22Ranking
8 out of / 37Ranking
8 out of / 37Ranking
8 out of / 37Ranking
8 out of / 22Ranking
10 out of / 37Ranking
18 out of / 37Ranking
19 out of / 37Ranking
22 out of / 37Ranking
28 out of / 37Tesla 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 / 30Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Other Toyota Corolla Trim Levels
LE, Nightshade, XSE
Other Tesla Model 3 Trim Levels
Long Range, Performance
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
2 years
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):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 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:
4 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:
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:
169 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque:
151 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.054 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
271 hp
Torque:
310 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.070 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
32 / 41 / 35
MPGe:
Not applicable
Range (city/hwy):
422 / 541 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Battery Size/Capacity :
Not applicable
Maximum Charging Rate:
Not applicable
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
Not Applicable
Engine Configuration:
Not Applicable
Number of Cylinders:
Not Applicable
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not applicable
MPGe:
127 / 125 / 127
Range (city/hwy):
272 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity:
50 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
10.5 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
51.7 inches
Cargo Space:
13.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
88.6 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3110 lbs
Width:
70.1 inches
Height:
56.5 inches
Length:
182.5 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
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
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/40R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Gray
Stealth Gray
Red
Ultra Red
Silver
Quicksilver
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
Black and White
