Tesla Model 3 vs Nissan Leaf: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Tesla Model 3 is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $670 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Model 3 Standard, 139 MPGe combined), against $760 for the Nissan Leaf (Leaf 75kWh (18 inch steel Wheels), 121 MPGe combined). That is $90 a year, or $450 over five years.
A frequently cross-shopped pair of rivals. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Electric
- Midsize cars
Tesla Model 3
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Model 3 Standard
$4.47 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
321 mi EPA range · 24 kWh/100 mi
5 configurations in MY2026
- Electric
- Wagons
Nissan Leaf
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Leaf 75kWh (18 inch steel Wheels)
$5.07 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
303 mi EPA range · 28 kWh/100 mi
3 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Tesla Model 3$670 a year · $4.47 per 100 mi
- Nissan Leaf$760 a year · $5.07 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$90
Tesla Model 3 costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$450
$90 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Tesla Model 3 | Nissan Leaf |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Model 3 Standard | Leaf 75kWh (18 inch steel Wheels) |
| Powertrain | Electric | Electric |
| Combined rating | 139 MPGe (better) | 121 MPGe |
| City rating | 147 MPGe (better) | 131 MPGe |
| Highway rating | 130 MPGe (better) | 111 MPGe |
| EPA range | 321 mi (better) | 303 mi |
| Electricity use | 24 kWh/100 mi (better) | 28 kWh/100 mi |
| Annual fuel cost | $670/yr (better) | $760/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $4.47 (better) | $5.07 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $670–$830 | $760–$900 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 5 | 3 |
| EPA class | Midsize cars | Wagons |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Tesla Model 3 | Nissan Leaf |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | 139 MPGe · $670/yr Model 3 Standard | 121 MPGe · $760/yr Leaf 75kWh (18 inch steel Wheels) |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Tesla Model 3
- Lower annual fuel cost: $670 vs $760
- Higher combined rating: 139 MPGe vs 121 MPGe
- Higher city rating: 147 MPGe vs 131 MPGe
- Higher highway rating: 130 MPGe vs 111 MPGe
- Longer EPA range: 321 mi vs 303 mi
Nissan Leaf
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Year by year
| Model year | Tesla Model 3 | Nissan Leaf | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 111–139 MPGe | $670–$830 | 103–121 MPGe | $760–$900 |
| 2025 | 109–137 MPGe | $680–$850 | 109–111 MPGe | $840–$850 |
| 2024 | 112–137 MPGe | $680–$830 | 109–111 MPGe | $840–$850 |
| 2023 | 113–132 MPGe | $700–$820 | 109–111 MPGe | $840–$850 |
| 2022 | 113–132 MPGe | $700–$820 | 104–111 MPGe | $840–$890 |
| 2021 | 113–142 MPGe | $650–$820 | 104–111 MPGe | $840–$890 |
| 2020 | 113–141 MPGe | $660–$820 | 104–111 MPGe | $840–$890 |
| 2019 | 116–133 MPGe | $700–$800 | 104–112 MPGe | $830–$890 |
| 2018 | 116–130 MPGe | $710–$800 | 112 MPGe | $820 |
| 2017 | 126 MPGe | $740 | 112 MPGe | $820 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Tesla Model 3 or the Nissan Leaf?
The Tesla Model 3 is cheaper: about $670 a year against $760 for the Nissan Leaf, a difference of $90 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Tesla Model 3 save over five years?
About $450 ($90 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Tesla Model 3 or the Nissan Leaf?
The Tesla Model 3 is rated 139 MPGe combined against 121 MPGe for the Nissan Leaf. City: 147 MPGe vs 131 MPGe. Highway: 130 MPGe vs 111 MPGe. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Tesla Model 3 and the Nissan Leaf in the same class?
The EPA classes the Tesla Model 3 as Midsize cars and the Nissan Leaf as Wagons, so they are listed as rivals.
Explore these cars
- Tesla Model 3: ratings, trims and every model year
- Nissan Leaf: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Tesla Model 3: all configurations
- 2026 Nissan Leaf: all configurations
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