2021 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2021 Lexus UX 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.
The 2021 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 $640 a year to fuel (142 MPGe), versus $1,453 for the 2021 Lexus UX (32 MPG). That's roughly $813 a year, or about $4,066 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
- Lexus UX
- Tesla Model 3
Side by side
| Lexus UX | Tesla Model 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,453 | Your annual fuel cost | $640 |
| 32 MPG | Combined efficiency | 142 MPGe |
| 29 MPG | City | 150 MPGe |
| 37 MPG | Highway | 133 MPGe |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 23.7 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 263 mi |
| 90 cu ft | Passenger volume | 97 cu ft |
| 22 cu ft | Cargo volume | 15 cu ft |
| 271 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 0 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 7/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| — | Charge time at 240V | 7.8 hrs |
| Gas | Powertrain | Electric |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Electricity |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | Electric motor (198 kW) |
| CVT | 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.
Lexus UX vs Tesla Model 3 across model years
- Lexus UX
- 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 Tesla Model 3 has more passenger space (97 vs. 90 cu ft); the Lexus UX has more cargo space (22 vs. 15 cu ft).
Among 54 2021 midsize cars, the Lexus UX ranks 20th 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 Lexus UX; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Lexus UX or the 2021 Tesla Model 3?
Measured by cost to drive, the Tesla Model 3. The Lexus UX is rated 32 MPG combined and the Tesla Model 3 142 MPGe (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Lexus UX vs. the Tesla Model 3 per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, about $1,453 for the Lexus UX and $640 for the Tesla Model 3.
Which has more cargo space?
The Lexus UX, with 22 cu ft of luggage volume versus 15 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Lexus UX vs Tesla Model 3 in other years
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