Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD vs Honda Accord LX (gas): 5-year cost to own in the U.S.
As of August 6, 2026, over 5 years (U.S. average, 12,000 mi/yr), the Honda Accord LX (gas) stays the cheaper car to own — about $39,655 vs $54,567 for the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD, a $14,912 difference over 5 years. The expired federal $7,500 EV credit is not applied to either total.
Cheaper to own over 5 yearsHonda Accord LX (gas) · $39,655 total · $14,912 less than the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD
Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD vs Honda Accord LX (gas) — where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Tesla Model 3 Premium | Gas · Honda Accord LX |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $24,644 (45%) | $10,640 (27%) |
| Charging / fuel | $4,086 (7%) | $7,213 (18%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$490) | — |
| Maintenance | $3,660 (7%) | $5,100 (13%) |
| Insurance | $13,750 (25%) | $11,000 (28%) |
| Financing interest | $7,427 (14%) | $4,702 (12%) |
| Registration & fees | $1,000 (2%) | $1,000 (3%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $54,567 | $39,655 |
The charging-loss row is the ~10–15% of electricity lost to AC charging that you pay for but never reaches the battery — we include it; most calculators don't.
When does the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD win?
Even at 30,000+ mi/yr or a 15-year hold, the Honda Accord LX (gas) stays cheaper here — its lower price and slower depreciation dominate. The Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD is the pick mainly for reasons beyond 5-year cost (performance, emissions, HOV access, home-charging convenience).
No sugar-coating it — the Honda Accord LX (gas) is decisively cheaper: $14,912 over 5 years, about 38% of its total. At default assumptions this one isn't close.
What decides the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD vs Honda Accord LX (gas) verdict
The single biggest mover is depreciation: $24,644 on the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD against $10,640 on the Honda Accord LX (gas), a $14,004 gap in the Honda Accord LX (gas)'s favor — the largest slice of the $14,912 verdict. On the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD, depreciation alone is 45% of its $54,567 total; on the Honda Accord LX (gas) it is 27% of $39,655.
- Energy: $4,086 of charging for the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD vs $7,213 of gas for the Honda Accord LX (gas) — $3,127 the other way, to the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD.
- Insurance: Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD $13,750, Honda Accord LX (gas) $11,000 — $2,750 more in the Honda Accord LX (gas)'s favor.
- Financing interest: Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD $7,427, Honda Accord LX (gas) $4,702 — $2,725 more in the Honda Accord LX (gas)'s favor.
The Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD's best answer is energy — $3,127 back the other way — which covers 21% of the Honda Accord LX (gas)'s $14,912 lead. The Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD starts $14,490 behind the Honda Accord LX (gas) at the dealer, and ownership widens it — the 5-year gap grows to $14,912. The Honda Accord LX (gas) is ahead by $5,878 after the first year and more than doubles that lead — $14,912 by year 5.
Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD vs Honda Accord LX (gas), side by side
Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD
- 5-yr total cost
- $54,567
- Cost / month
- $909
- Cost / mile
- $0.91
- MSRP
- $42,490
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 25 kWh/100mi
Honda Accord LX (gas)
- 5-yr total cost
- $39,655
- Cost / month
- $661
- Cost / mile
- $0.66
- MSRP
- $28,000
- Powertrain
- Gas
- Efficiency
- 32 mpg
- Electricity (US avg)
- 18.4¢/kWh EIA
- Gas price (US avg)
- $3.85/gal AAA
Full cost breakdowns
Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD vs Honda Accord LX (gas) by state
No state's electricity or gas prices flip this verdict at default assumptions — the Honda Accord LX (gas) is the cheaper car in all 51 states we track.