2020 head-to-head · Midsize Car

2020 Lincoln MKZ vs Tesla Model 3

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,938/ year to fuel
24 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$648/ year to fuel
141 MPGe

The 2020 Tesla Model 3 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, it costs about $648 a year to fuel (141 MPGe), versus $1,938 for the 2020 Lincoln MKZ (24 MPG). That's roughly $1,290 a year, or about $6,448 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

  • Lincoln MKZ
  • Tesla Model 3

Side by side

Lincoln MKZTesla Model 3
$1,938 Your annual fuel cost $648
24 MPG Combined efficiency 141 MPGe
20 MPG City 148 MPGe
31 MPG Highway 132 MPGe
— Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) 24 kWh
— Driving range 250 mi
99 cu ft Passenger volume 97 cu ft
16 cu ft Cargo volume 15 cu ft
373 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 0 g/mi
5/10 EPA fuel economy score 10/10
5/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 10/10
— Charge time at 240V 8.5 hrs
Gas Powertrain Electric
Regular gasoline Fuel Electricity
2.0L 4-cyl turbo Engine / motor Electric motor (211 kW)
6-speed automatic Transmission Single-speed
FWD Drivetrain RWD

✓ 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.

Lincoln MKZ vs Tesla Model 3 across model years

  • Lincoln MKZ
  • Tesla Model 3

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 Lincoln MKZ has more cargo space (16 vs. 15 cu ft).

Among 64 2020 midsize cars, the Lincoln MKZ ranks 35th and the Tesla Model 3 1st for lowest fuel cost.

Because the Tesla Model 3 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 Lincoln MKZ; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2020 Lincoln MKZ or the 2020 Tesla Model 3?

Measured by cost to drive, the Tesla Model 3. The Lincoln MKZ is rated 24 MPG combined and the Tesla Model 3 141 MPGe (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2020 Lincoln MKZ vs. the Tesla Model 3 per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, about $1,938 for the Lincoln MKZ and $648 for the Tesla Model 3.

Which has more cargo space?

The Lincoln MKZ, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 15 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

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