Tesla Model Y vs Tesla Model 3: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Tesla Model Y and the Tesla Model 3 cost the same to fuel: about $670 a year for the lowest-cost configuration of each (Model Y Standard (18in Wheels), 138 MPGe combined, and Model 3 Standard, 139 MPGe combined).
Both come from the same maker or parent group. 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
- Small SUVs
Tesla Model Y
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Model Y Standard (18in Wheels)
$4.47 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
321 mi EPA range · 24 kWh/100 mi
6 configurations in MY2026
- 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
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Tesla Model Y$670 a year · $4.47 per 100 mi
- Tesla Model 3$670 a year · $4.47 per 100 mi
Difference per year
Same
The rounded annual costs are equal
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Tesla Model Y | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Model Y Standard (18in Wheels) | Model 3 Standard |
| Powertrain | Electric | Electric |
| Combined rating | 138 MPGe | 139 MPGe (better) |
| City rating | 148 MPGe (better) | 147 MPGe |
| Highway rating | 129 MPGe | 130 MPGe (better) |
| EPA range | 321 mi | 321 mi |
| Electricity use | 24 kWh/100 mi | 24 kWh/100 mi (better) |
| Annual fuel cost | $670/yr | $670/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $4.47 | $4.47 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $670–$880 | $670–$830 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 6 | 5 |
| EPA class | Small SUVs | Midsize cars |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Tesla Model Y | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | 138 MPGe · $670/yr Model Y Standard (18in Wheels) | 139 MPGe · $670/yr Model 3 Standard |
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 Y
- Higher city rating: 148 MPGe vs 147 MPGe
Tesla Model 3
- Higher combined rating: 139 MPGe vs 138 MPGe
- Higher highway rating: 130 MPGe vs 129 MPGe
Level on: annual fuel cost ($670), EPA range (321 mi)
Year by year
| Model year | Tesla Model Y | Tesla Model 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 105–138 MPGe | $670–$880 | 111–139 MPGe | $670–$830 |
| 2025 | 104–125 MPGe | $740–$890 | 109–137 MPGe | $680–$850 |
| 2024 | 105–120 MPGe | $770–$880 | 112–137 MPGe | $680–$830 |
| 2023 | 111–123 MPGe | $760–$840 | 113–132 MPGe | $700–$820 |
| 2022 | 111–129 MPGe | $710–$840 | 113–132 MPGe | $700–$820 |
| 2021 | 111–129 MPGe | $710–$840 | 113–142 MPGe | $650–$820 |
| 2020 | 111–121 MPGe | $770–$830 | 113–141 MPGe | $660–$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 Y or the Tesla Model 3?
They cost the same: about $670 a year each. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Tesla Model Y or the Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 is rated 139 MPGe combined against 138 MPGe for the Tesla Model Y. City: 148 MPGe vs 147 MPGe. Highway: 129 MPGe vs 130 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 Y and the Tesla Model 3 in the same class?
The EPA classes the Tesla Model Y as Small SUVs and the Tesla Model 3 as Midsize cars, so they are listed as models from the same maker or group.
Explore these cars
- Tesla Model Y: ratings, trims and every model year
- Tesla Model 3: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Tesla Model Y: all configurations
- 2026 Tesla Model 3: all configurations
More comparisons
- Tesla Model 3 vs BMW i4
- Tesla Model 3 vs Nissan Leaf
- Tesla Model Y vs Cadillac Lyriq
- Honda Accord vs Tesla Model 3
- Tesla Model Y vs Ford Mustang Mach-E
- Tesla Model Y vs Kia EV6
- Honda Civic vs Tesla Model 3
- Tesla Model Y vs Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Tesla Model Y vs Nissan Rogue
- Toyota Camry vs Tesla Model 3
- Honda CR-V vs Tesla Model Y
- Toyota RAV4 vs Tesla Model Y
- All curated comparisons