BMW i7 vs Tesla Model 3: Specs Compared
Also searched as Tesla Model 3 vs BMW i7 specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Tesla Model 3 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 142 mpg combined versus 92 mpg for the BMW i7, a 50 mpg advantage and costs about $250 less per year to fuel.
Across 4 measured categories, the Tesla Model 3 leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | BMW i7 | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 92 mpg | 142 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 91 mpg | 150 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 95 mpg | 133 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $800 | $550 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | Not available | Not available |
| Engines offered | Not available | Not available |
| Transmissions | Automatic (A1) | Automatic (A1) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Electricity | Electricity |
| EPA class | Large Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Years covered | 2023–2027 | 2017–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 34 | 42 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
BMW i7 vs Tesla Model 3 dimensions and size
The BMW i7 is 26.4 inches longer than the Tesla Model 3 on a wheelbase 13.4 inches longer, and 2,312.6 lbs heavier. At over 200 inches, the larger of the two is past the comfortable limit of a standard 192-inch single garage bay once you allow walking room.
| Dimension | BMW i7 (2026) | Tesla Model 3 (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 212.2 in | 185.8 in | 26.4 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 76.8 in | 72.8 in | 3.9 in |
| Height | 60.6 in | 56.7 in | 3.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 126.8 in | 113.4 in | 13.4 in |
| Curb weight | 6,343 lbs | 4,030 lbs | 2,313 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
BMW i7 vs Tesla Model 3: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Tesla Model 3 burns about $550 of fuel annually against $800 for the BMW i7. That $250 yearly gap compounds to roughly $1,250 over five years and $2,000 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City and highway economy: the Tesla Model 3 leads in both cycles — 150 mpg city and 133 mpg highway against 91 and 95 mpg — so its fuel-efficiency advantage holds whether you commute in traffic or cover long highway miles.
Drivetrain and class: the BMW i7 is offered with All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, the Tesla Model 3 with All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Large Cars and Midsize Cars respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
i7 vs Model 3: common questions
Which is better on gas, the BMW i7 or the Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 142 mpg combined versus 92 mpg for the BMW i7, a 50 mpg advantage and costs about $250 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Tesla Model 3 runs about $550 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $800 for the BMW i7 — a difference of roughly $250 per year.
What engines do the i7 and Model 3 offer?
BMW i7: no engine data on record. Tesla Model 3: no engine data on record.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the BMW i7 as Large Cars and the Tesla Model 3 as Midsize Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More i7 comparisons
More Model 3 comparisons
Comparison id: bmw-i7-vs-tesla-model-3