A new comparison chart pits the 2018 Tesla Model 3 against the 2018 Honda Accord EX-L. While the two vehicles are substantially different from a powertrain perspective, they are surprisingly similar in terms of wheelbase, cargo capacity, curb weight, and performance. The comparison chart was created by HondaPartsOnline.net to show how similar the Model 3 and Honda Accord are.
“Based on how closely these two cars align in terms of specs – and Honda’s perennial success in the car market – I’d be shocked if Tesla didn’t benchmark the Accord when they developed the Model 3,” says HondaPartsOnline.net director, Angel Vigil. ”The conventional wisdom is that Tesla positioned the Model 3 to go after the mid-size luxury segment, but I think that’s incorrect. To me, the Model 3 looks like Tesla’s version of the Accord.”
The comparison pits a 2018 Accord EX-L – an all-new design – against the Model 3. The similarities between the new Accord and the new Model 3 are striking:
- The wheelbase, cargo capacity, and performance are essentially identical to the Model 3.
- The new 2018 Accord includes HondaSensing, which includes traffic sign recognition, collision avoidance and automatic braking systems, adaptive cruise, and lane departure warning. The base Tesla Model 3 offers collision avoidance and automatic braking, but other safety features require a $5,000 upgrade.
- The performance of the base Tesla Model 3 is quite similar to the Accord EX-L with the new for 2018 2.0L turbo engine – the 0-60 times are within a tenth of a second of one another.
While all mid-size cars are fairly similar on some of these specs, Vigil argues that this is more than coincidence.
“Tesla has said they want the Model 3 to be a mass market car. If you were going to build a mid-size car for the masses, wouldn’t you have to start by benchmarking the Accord?” says Vigil.
Key differences between the Model 3 and Accord are not quite as obvious. According to Vigil, the comparison chart does not address vital metrics.
“Everyone is focused on the Tesla’s electric powertrain, and our comparison chart doesn’t really illustrate the magnitude of that difference,” says Vigil. “However, the chart also doesn’t talk about resale value or reliability. These are two huge considerations when buying a new vehicle, and frankly, no one has any idea how Tesla will rate on either of these metrics. If they have a lot of quality problems – or if the Model 3 doesn’t hold it’s value – it could be a very expensive and frustrating ownership experience.”
In terms of pricing, the comparison shows that the Accord EX-L with the 2.0T and 10-speed automatic will come in under the Tesla Model 3 by about $3,000. However, this does not account for any tax credits available to buyers of the Tesla Model 3. According to Vigil, this is intentional.
“We really don’t know how the tax credit situation will shake out for Model 3 buyers. Right now, it looks like everyone buying a Model 3 in 2018 will get a tax credit. However, that can change based on Tesla’s overall sales. So, we decided to compare MSRP to MSRP, and we chose a more expensive Accord trim level to try and get the MSRPs close. If someone were to buy an Accord EX-L without the 2.0T or get the Accord Sport package instead, they would get a lot of the same features at a price $2,000 lower,” says Vigil.
To see the full comparison chart, visit https://www.hondapartsonline.net/blog/honda-tesla-stack-up
About HondaPartsOnline.net
HondaPartsOnline.net is the national website of the parts department at Clark Knapp Honda, located near McAllen, Texas. Our location in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley – and our proximity to a heavily traveled internationally trucking route – has helped us to become one of the largest parts departments in the state of Texas (and one of the largest Honda parts retailers in the United States). Learn more by visiting HondaPartsOnline.net.