2021 head-to-head · Large Car
2021 Audi A8 Plug-in Hybrid 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 · 53 MPGe + 23 MPG
The 2021 Tesla Model S is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $761 a year to fuel (120 MPGe), versus $2,170 for the 2021 Audi A8 Plug-in Hybrid (53 MPGe + 23 MPG). That's roughly $1,409 a year, or about $7,043 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 Plug-in Hybrid
- Tesla Model S
Side by side
| Audi A8 Plug-in Hybrid | Tesla Model S | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,170 | Your annual fuel cost | $761 |
| 53 MPGe + 23 MPG | Combined efficiency | 120 MPGe |
| 49 MPGe / 21 MPG | City | 124 MPGe |
| 60 MPGe / 26 MPG | Highway | 115 MPGe |
| 63 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 28.2 kWh |
| 420 mi | Driving range | 405 mi |
| 18 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 111 cu ft | Passenger volume | 94 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 26 cu ft |
| 213 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 0 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 8/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| 2.4 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 15 hrs |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Electric |
| Premium gas + electricity | Fuel | Electricity |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | Electric motors (365 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 Plug-in Hybrid vs Tesla Model S across model years
- Audi A8 Plug-in Hybrid
- 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
The Audi A8 Plug-in Hybrid goes farther between stops: about 420 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 405 miles for the Tesla Model S.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Audi A8 Plug-in Hybrid has more passenger space (111 vs. 94 cu ft); the Tesla Model S has more cargo space (26 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 27 2021 large cars, the Audi A8 Plug-in Hybrid ranks 13th 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 Plug-in Hybrid; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Audi A8 Plug-in Hybrid or the 2021 Tesla Model S?
Measured by cost to drive, the Tesla Model S. The Audi A8 Plug-in Hybrid is rated 53 MPGe + 23 MPG combined and the Tesla Model S 120 MPGe (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Audi A8 Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Tesla Model S per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,170 for the Audi A8 Plug-in Hybrid and $761 for the Tesla Model S.
Which has more range?
The Audi A8 Plug-in Hybrid: about 420 miles versus 405 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The Tesla Model S, with 26 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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