Dodge Charger vs Tesla Model 3: Specs Compared
Also searched as Tesla Model 3 vs Dodge Charger 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 98 mpg for the Dodge Charger, a 44 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 | Dodge Charger | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 98 mpg | 142 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 104 mpg | 150 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 91 mpg | 133 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $800 | $550 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 389 g/mi | Not available |
| Engines offered | SIDI, 3.6, 5.7, 6.4 | Not available |
| Transmissions | Automatic (A1), Automatic 8-spd | Automatic (A1) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Electricity, Regular, Premium | Electricity |
| EPA class | Large Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2027 | 2017–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 85 | 42 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Dodge Charger vs Tesla Model 3 dimensions and size
The Dodge Charger is 20.9 inches longer than the Tesla Model 3 on a wheelbase 7.5 inches longer, and 795.9 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 | Dodge Charger (2026) | Tesla Model 3 (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 206.7 in | 185.8 in | 20.9 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 79.9 in | 72.8 in | 7.1 in |
| Height | 59.1 in | 56.7 in | 2.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 120.9 in | 113.4 in | 7.5 in |
| Curb weight | 4,826 lbs | 4,030 lbs | 796 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.
Dodge Charger 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 Dodge Charger. 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 104 and 91 mpg — so its fuel-efficiency advantage holds whether you commute in traffic or cover long highway miles.
Powertrain choice: the Dodge Charger is recorded with 4 distinct engine configurations (SIDI, 3.6, 5.7), the Tesla Model 3 with no. Across 85 recorded Dodge Charger configurations and 42 for the Tesla Model 3, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Dodge Charger is offered with All-Wheel Drive, Rear-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.
Charger vs Model 3: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Dodge Charger or the Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 142 mpg combined versus 98 mpg for the Dodge Charger, a 44 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 Dodge Charger — a difference of roughly $250 per year.
What engines do the Charger and Model 3 offer?
Dodge Charger: SIDI, 3.6, 5.7, 6.4. Tesla Model 3: no engine data on record.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Dodge Charger as Large Cars and the Tesla Model 3 as Midsize Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
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