2021 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2021 Tesla Model 3 vs Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
AWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 60 MPGe + 30 MPG
The 2021 Tesla Model 3 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $640 a year to fuel (142 MPGe), versus $1,676 for the 2021 Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid (60 MPGe + 30 MPG). That's roughly $1,036 a year, or about $5,182 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Tesla Model 3
- Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Tesla Model 3 | Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $640 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,676 |
| 142 MPGe | Combined efficiency | 60 MPGe + 30 MPG |
| 150 MPGe | City | 58 MPGe / 28 MPG |
| 133 MPGe | Highway | 64 MPGe / 31 MPG |
| 23.7 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 50 kWh |
| 263 mi | Driving range | 490 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 21 mi |
| 97 cu ft | Passenger volume | 102 cu ft |
| 15 cu ft | Cargo volume | 14 cu ft |
| 0 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 163 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 8/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| 7.8 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 3 hrs |
| Electric | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Electricity | Fuel | Premium gas + electricity |
| Electric motor (198 kW) | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| Single-speed | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| RWD | Drivetrain | AWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Tesla Model 3 vs Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Tesla Model 3
- Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
The Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid goes farther between stops: about 490 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 263 miles for the Tesla Model 3.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid has more passenger space (102 vs. 97 cu ft); the Tesla Model 3 has more cargo space (15 vs. 14 cu ft).
Among 54 2021 midsize cars, the Tesla Model 3 ranks 1st and the Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid 27th for lowest fuel cost.
Because the Tesla Model 3 is fully electric, it has no tailpipe emissions and its running cost depends almost entirely on your electricity rate. Cheap overnight home charging widens its advantage over the Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Tesla Model 3 or the 2021 Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Tesla Model 3. The Tesla Model 3 is rated 142 MPGe combined and the Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid 60 MPGe + 30 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Tesla Model 3 vs. the Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $640 for the Tesla Model 3 and $1,676 for the Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more range?
The Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid: about 490 miles versus 263 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The Tesla Model 3, with 15 cu ft of luggage volume versus 14 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Tesla Model 3 vs Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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