Tesla Model 3 (RWD) vs Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas): 5-year cost to own (Canada)
Over 5 years in Canada (15,000 km/yr), as of July 2, 2026, the Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas) stays the cheaper car to own — about $46,859 vs $52,442 for the Tesla Model 3 (RWD), a $5,583 difference over 5 years.
Canada EVAP: up to $5,000 off an eligible new EV ($2,500 PHEV); Quebec / BC may add more. Shown for reference; not in the totals above. Source: Transport Canada.
Cheaper to own over 5 years · CanadaHonda Civic (LX sedan, gas) · $46,859 total · $5,583 less than the Tesla Model 3 (RWD)
Tesla Model 3 (RWD) vs Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas) — where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Tesla Model 3 | Gas · Honda Civic |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $23,194 (44%) | $15,080 (32%) |
| Charging / fuel | $2,888 (6%) | $9,072 (19%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$347) | — |
| Maintenance | $3,248 (6%) | $5,873 (13%) |
| Insurance | $15,655 (30%) | $11,445 (24%) |
| Financing interest | $6,957 (13%) | $4,890 (10%) |
| Registration & fees | $500 (1%) | $500 (1%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $52,442 | $46,859 |
When does the Tesla Model 3 (RWD) win?
The Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas) wins decisively here — $5,583 cheaper over 5 years; at typical assumptions this isn't a close call.
The Tesla Model 3 (RWD) pulls ahead of the Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas) if you drive more than about 24,500 km/yr. A longer hold also changes it: keep the car past 11 years and the Tesla Model 3 (RWD) comes out ahead.
What decides the Tesla Model 3 (RWD) vs Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas) verdict
One line outweighs everything else here: depreciation. It costs $23,194 on the Tesla Model 3 (RWD) against $15,080 on the Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas) — an $8,114 swing to the Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas), bigger than the $5,583 that separates the two 5-year totals. On the Tesla Model 3 (RWD), depreciation alone is 44% of its $52,442 total; on the Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas) it is 32% of $46,859.
- Energy: $2,888 of charging for the Tesla Model 3 (RWD) vs $9,072 of gas for the Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas) — $6,184 the other way, to the Tesla Model 3 (RWD).
- Insurance: Tesla Model 3 (RWD) $15,655, Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas) $11,445 — $4,210 more in the Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas)'s favor.
- Maintenance: Tesla Model 3 (RWD) $3,248, Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas) $5,873 — $2,625 the other way, to the Tesla Model 3 (RWD).
The Tesla Model 3 (RWD)'s best answer is energy, $6,184 back the other way — more than the final $5,583 gap on its own, but the remaining rows pull the verdict back to the Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas). At the dealer the Tesla Model 3 (RWD) starts $10,990 behind the Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas); running costs claw back $5,407 of that, but the Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas) still ends $5,583 ahead. The Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas) is ahead by $2,572 after the first year and more than doubles that lead — $5,583 by year 5.
Tesla Model 3 (RWD) vs Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas), side by side
Tesla Model 3 (RWD)
- 5-yr total cost
- $52,442
- Cost / month
- $874
- Cost / km
- $0.70
- Starting price
- $39,990
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 15.8 kWh/100km
Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas)
- 5-yr total cost
- $46,859
- Cost / month
- $781
- Cost / km
- $0.63
- Starting price
- $29,000
- Powertrain
- Gas
- Efficiency
- 7.2 L/100km
- Canada electricity
- 16.50c/kWh provincial utilities
- Gasoline (Canada)
- $1.68/L CAA