Tesla · Midsize cars · Electric
Tesla Model 3: MPG and annual fuel cost, 2026
Rated at 139 MPGe combined for 2026, the Tesla Model 3 is the most efficient of the 31 midsize cars rated that year.
- 139MPGe combined1st of 31 in class
- $550a year in fuel1st of 31 in class
- 0g/mile CO2
Where it stands
The midsize cars rated for 2026 run from 14 to 139 MPGe, with a median of 30 MPGe.
Among all electric models of the year, regardless of size, it is 2nd of 66 electric models, in the top quarter, ahead of 98% of the others.
Within the 5 Tesla models rated for 2026 it is the most efficient on combined rating; the median of the make's line-up is 124 MPGe.
In its class, just behind it is the Lexus ES Electric at 127 MPGe.
Electric models use no fuel and have no tailpipe CO2. Efficiency is given in MPGe, the miles driven on 33.7 kilowatt-hours of electricity, which is the energy in one gallon of gasoline. The annual cost is electricity at $0.15 per kWh.
Fuel cost and CO2
Assuming 15,000 miles a year with 55% of them in the city and electricity at $0.15 per kWh, fuelling the most efficient version comes to about $550 a year. That is $1,950 less than the midsize cars median of $2,500.
It has no tailpipe emissions, so the CO2 column is zero; the emissions from making the electricity are not part of this figure.
Rated versions
The city rating of 147 is 17 above the highway rating of 130. 5 versions are rated for 2026. The most efficient, Model 3 Standard RWD: electric motor, Automatic (A1), RWD, gets 139 MPGe; the least efficient listed, Model 3 Performance AWD: electric motor, Automatic (A1), AWD, gets 111 MPGe, a gap of 28 MPGe. With the file's assumptions that gap is worth about $150 a year in fuel.
| Version | Combined MPG | City MPG | Highway MPG | Annual fuel cost | CO2 g/mile | Electric range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 Standard RWD: electric motor, Automatic (A1), RWD | 139 | 147 | 130 | $550 | 0 | 321 |
| Model 3 Premium RWD: electric motor, Automatic (A1), RWD | 137 | 145 | 128 | $550 | 0 | 363 |
| Model 3 Premium AWD: electric motor, Automatic (A1), AWD | 128 | 133 | 122 | $600 | 0 | 346 |
| Model 3 Performance: electric motor, Automatic (A1), AWD | 114 | 120 | 107 | $650 | 0 | 309 |
| Model 3 Performance AWD: electric motor, Automatic (A1), AWD | 111 | 117 | 106 | $700 | 0 | 314 |
Year by year
The Tesla Model 3 is in the data for 8 of the 8 model years from 2019 to 2026. Between 2019 and 2026 the best combined rating rose by 6 MPGe, from 133 to 139. The highest figure came in 2021, at 142. The number of rated versions shrank from 6 to 5.
| Model year | Versions | Best MPG | Lowest MPG | Fuel cost | CO2 g/mi | Class median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 139 | 111 | $550 | 0 | 30 |
| 2025 | 4 | 137 | 109 | $550 | 0 | 29 |
| 2024 | 5 | 137 | 112 | $550 | 0 | 30 |
| 2023 | 3 | 132 | 113 | $550 | 0 | 28 |
| 2022 | 3 | 132 | 113 | $550 | 0 | 28 |
| 2021 | 3 | 142 | 113 | $550 | 0 | 28.5 |
| 2020 | 8 | 141 | 113 | $550 | 0 | 28 |
| 2019 | 6 | 133 | 116 | $550 | 0 | 29 |
Similar models
| Model | Powertrain | Combined MPG | Annual fuel cost | Model year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus ES Electric | Electric | 127 | $600 | 2026 |
| Genesis G80 Electric | Electric | 96 | $800 | 2026 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQE | Electric | 94 | $800 | 2026 |
| Hyundai Elantra Hybrid | Hybrid | 54 | $1,250 | 2026 |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid | Hybrid | 51 | $1,300 | 2026 |
Compare and rank
Rankings: Midsize cars, Electric, Tesla.
Data: US EPA and DOE, as prepared in methods and data.