Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD vs Toyota Camry Hybrid LE: 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 Toyota Camry Hybrid LE stays the cheaper car to own — about $38,171 vs $54,567 for the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD, a $16,396 difference over 5 years. The expired federal $7,500 EV credit is not applied to either total.
Cheaper to own over 5 yearsToyota Camry Hybrid LE · $38,171 total · $16,396 less than the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD
Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD vs Toyota Camry Hybrid LE — where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Tesla Model 3 Premium | Hybrid · Toyota Camry Hybrid LE |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $24,644 (45%) | $11,310 (30%) |
| Charging / fuel | $4,086 (7%) | $4,911 (13%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$490) | — |
| Maintenance | $3,660 (7%) | $4,560 (12%) |
| Insurance | $13,750 (25%) | $11,500 (30%) |
| Financing interest | $7,427 (14%) | $4,890 (13%) |
| Registration & fees | $1,000 (2%) | $1,000 (3%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $54,567 | $38,171 |
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 Toyota Camry Hybrid LE 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 Toyota Camry Hybrid LE is decisively cheaper: $16,396 over 5 years, about 43% of its total. At default assumptions this one isn't close.
What decides the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD vs Toyota Camry Hybrid LE verdict
The single biggest mover is depreciation: $24,644 on the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD against $11,310 on the Toyota Camry Hybrid LE, a $13,334 gap in the Toyota Camry Hybrid LE's favor — the largest slice of the $16,396 verdict. On the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD, depreciation alone is 45% of its $54,567 total; on the Toyota Camry Hybrid LE it is 30% of $38,171.
- Financing interest: Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD $7,427, Toyota Camry Hybrid LE $4,890 — $2,537 more in the Toyota Camry Hybrid LE's favor.
- Insurance: Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD $13,750, Toyota Camry Hybrid LE $11,500 — $2,250 more in the Toyota Camry Hybrid LE's favor.
- Maintenance: Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD $3,660, Toyota Camry Hybrid LE $4,560 — $900 the other way, to the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD.
The Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD gets $900 back on maintenance, but against a $16,396 verdict that is loose change. The Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD starts $13,490 behind the Toyota Camry Hybrid LE at the dealer, and ownership widens it — the 5-year gap grows to $16,396. The Toyota Camry Hybrid LE is ahead by $5,748 after the first year and more than doubles that lead — $16,396 by year 5.
Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD vs Toyota Camry Hybrid LE, 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
Toyota Camry Hybrid LE
- 5-yr total cost
- $38,171
- Cost / month
- $636
- Cost / mile
- $0.64
- MSRP
- $29,000
- Powertrain
- Hybrid
- Efficiency
- 47 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 Toyota Camry Hybrid LE by state
No state's electricity or gas prices flip this verdict at default assumptions — the Toyota Camry Hybrid LE is the cheaper car in all 51 states we track.