2016 head-to-head · Large Car
2016 Audi A8 Diesel vs Tesla Model S
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
AWD · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 28 MPG
The 2016 Tesla Model S is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.70/gal diesel fuel and 18¢/kWh electricity, it costs about $864 a year to fuel (104 MPGe), versus $1,982 for the 2016 Audi A8 Diesel (28 MPG). That's roughly $1,118 a year, or about $5,591 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
- Audi A8 Diesel
- Tesla Model S
Side by side
| Audi A8 Diesel | Tesla Model S | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,982 | Your annual fuel cost | $864 |
| 28 MPG | Combined efficiency | 104 MPGe |
| 24 MPG | City | 101 MPGe |
| 36 MPG | Highway | 107 MPGe |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 32 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 218 mi |
| 107 cu ft | Passenger volume | 94 cu ft |
| 15 cu ft | Cargo volume | 26 cu ft |
| 360 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 0 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| — | Charge time at 240V | 12 hrs |
| Diesel | Powertrain | Electric |
| Diesel | Fuel | Electricity |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | Electric motor (60 kW) |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | Single-speed |
| AWD | Drivetrain | AWD |
✓ 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.
Audi A8 Diesel vs Tesla Model S across model years
- Audi A8 Diesel
- Tesla Model S
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 Audi A8 Diesel has more passenger space (107 vs. 94 cu ft); the Tesla Model S has more cargo space (26 vs. 15 cu ft).
Among 30 2016 large cars, the Audi A8 Diesel ranks 8th and the Tesla Model S 1st for lowest fuel cost.
Because the Tesla Model S 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 Audi A8 Diesel; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2016 Audi A8 Diesel or the 2016 Tesla Model S?
Measured by cost to drive, the Tesla Model S. The Audi A8 Diesel is rated 28 MPG combined and the Tesla Model S 104 MPGe (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2016 Audi A8 Diesel vs. the Tesla Model S per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.70/gal diesel fuel and 18¢/kWh electricity, about $1,982 for the Audi A8 Diesel and $864 for the Tesla Model S.
Which has more cargo space?
The Tesla Model S, with 26 cu ft of luggage volume versus 15 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Audi A8 Diesel vs Tesla Model S in other years
More 2016 comparisons
Audi A8 Diesel vs…
Or compare the 2016 Audi A8 Diesel with anything else: