2022 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2022 Lexus ES vs Tesla Model 3
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2022 Tesla Model 3 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, it costs about $688 a year to fuel (132 MPGe), versus $1,661 for the 2022 Lexus ES (28 MPG). That's roughly $972 a year, or about $4,861 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
- Lexus ES
- Tesla Model 3
Side by side
| Lexus ES | Tesla Model 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,661 | Your annual fuel cost | $688 |
| 28 MPG | Combined efficiency | 132 MPGe |
| 25 MPG | City | 138 MPGe |
| 34 MPG | Highway | 126 MPGe |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 25.5 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 272 mi |
| 97 cu ft | Passenger volume | 97 cu ft |
| 14 cu ft | Cargo volume | 15 cu ft |
| 315 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 0 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| — | Charge time at 240V | 10.4 hrs |
| Gas | Powertrain | Electric |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Electricity |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | Electric motor (192 kW) |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | Single-speed |
| AWD | Drivetrain | RWD |
✓ 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.
Lexus ES vs Tesla Model 3 across model years
- Lexus ES
- Tesla Model 3
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
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Tesla Model 3 has more cargo space (15 vs. 14 cu ft).
Among 54 2022 midsize cars, the Lexus ES ranks 27th and the Tesla Model 3 1st 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 Lexus ES; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2022 Lexus ES or the 2022 Tesla Model 3?
Measured by cost to drive, the Tesla Model 3. The Lexus ES is rated 28 MPG combined and the Tesla Model 3 132 MPGe (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2022 Lexus ES vs. the Tesla Model 3 per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, about $1,661 for the Lexus ES and $688 for the Tesla Model 3.
Which has more cargo space?
The Tesla Model 3, with 15 cu ft of luggage volume versus 14 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Lexus ES vs Tesla Model 3 in other years
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