Compare the2026 Toyota Prius Plug-In HybridVS 2025 Tesla Model 3

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Prius Plug-In Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid XSE Premium offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model 3 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Tesla Model 3 doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid has standard Safety Connect™, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Prius Plug-In Hybrid and the Model 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the Tesla Model 3:

	Prius Plug-In Hybrid	Model 3
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	27.7%	33%
Neck Stress	153 lbs.	190 lbs.
Neck Compression	48 lbs.	101 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the Tesla Model 3:

	Prius Plug-In Hybrid	Model 3
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	42 G’s	46 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	354	384
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	41 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Prius Plug-In Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Tesla doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Model 3.

There are almost 6 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

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A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 13 points higher than the Model 3.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Tesla is ranked 17th.

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The Prius Plug-In Hybrid SE’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 606 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Model 3’s range is only 303 to 363 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 15 minutes for only a 53% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a professionally installed 220-volt charging station can take up to 11 hours and 42 minutes.

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The Prius Plug-In Hybrid stops shorter than the Model 3:

	Prius Plug-In Hybrid	Model 3
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend

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The Prius Plug-In Hybrid has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Prius Plug-In Hybrid flat and controlled during cornering. The Model 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better maneuverability, the Prius Plug-In Hybrid SE’s turning circle is 4 feet tighter than the Model 3’s (34.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet). The Prius Plug-In Hybrid XSE/Nightshade’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the Model 3’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

© 1999 - 2025Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. 3SUMY-CSGJ2 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2025/08/21

The Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 500 pounds less than the Tesla Model 3.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid is 4.7 inches shorter than the Model 3, making the Prius Plug-In Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid is 5.9 inches narrower on average than the Model 3, making the Prius Plug-In Hybrid easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

© 1999 - 2025Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. 3SUMY-CSGJ2 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2025/08/21

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid has 1.7 inches more front hip room and 1.4 inches more rear legroom than the Model 3.

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The Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Model 3’s passenger power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model 3 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Prius Plug-In Hybrid has standard extendable sun visors. The Model 3 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the Model 3, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Prius Plug-In Hybrid offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the Model 3.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Prius Plug-In Hybrid equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The Model 3, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

Compared to the Tesla Model 3’s traditional radio, the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid and the Tesla Model 3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its February 2024 issue and the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid XSE won out over the Tesla Model 3.

Motor Trend selected the Prius Plug-In Hybrid as their 2024 Car of the Year. The Model 3 has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Prius as the 2024 North American Car of the Year. The Model 3 has never been chosen.