Vehicle comparison
Tesla Model 3 vs Toyota Camry
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas and electricity prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- EV rates vary by state
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Tesla Model 3 wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Tesla Model 3 costs about $480 per year, roughly $814 less than the Toyota Camry. Over 5 years, that's about $4069 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Tesla Model 3 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Type | EV | SEDAN |
| Fuel | Electric | Regular gas |
| City MPG/MPGe | 138 | 28 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 126 | 39 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 132 | 32 |
| Tank / Battery | 60 kWh | 15.8 gal |
| Energy cost | $0.16/kWh | $3.45/gal |
| Cost per mile | $0.040 | $0.108 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly fuel spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Tesla Model 3 | Toyota Camry | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $320/yr · $27/mo | $863/yr · $72/mo | $543 (Tesla Model 3) |
| 12,000 | $480/yr · $40/mo | $1294/yr · $108/mo | $814 (Tesla Model 3) |
| 15,000 | $600/yr · $50/mo | $1617/yr · $135/mo | $1017 (Tesla Model 3) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Tesla Model 3
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Tesla Model 3Best for road trips
Toyota Camry
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Toyota CamryBest for families
Tesla Model 3
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Tesla Model 3Best for lowest running cost
Tesla Model 3
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Tesla Model 3How we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Tesla Model 3 or Toyota Camry?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Tesla Model 3 costs about $480 per year vs $1294 for the Toyota Camry — roughly $814 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Tesla Model 3 and Toyota Camry?
The Tesla Model 3 is rated around 132 combined MPGe versus 32 MPG for the Toyota Camry. Highway figures are 126 vs 39.
How much will I spend on fuel over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $2400 for the Tesla Model 3 and $6469 for the Toyota Camry, a difference of roughly $4069.
Is the Tesla Model 3 or Toyota Camry better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Tesla Model 3 wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Toyota Camry is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas and electricity prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.