5 Surprising Cars That Cost More Than a Tesla Model 3
The highly anticipated Tesla Model 3 was partially revealed, sending the automotive world into a frenzy.
One of the most significant aspects of this new Tesla is that it is meant to be a high-volume seller with an affordable price — it’s much cheaper than any Tesla that came before it, and it’s within a normal car shopper’s budget.
ALSO SEE: 5 Facts That Were Just Unveiled About the Tesla Model 3
Starting at $35,000 before any government rebates, taxes, fees or incentives, the Tesla Model 3 seems like a huge bargain when you realize these oddball cars are more expensive.
Fiat 500 Cabrio Abarth
A fully loaded Fiat 500 Cabrio Abarth with a good amount of upgrades and options came up to $35,574. Yes, it’s the most fun Fiat you can buy and it would sound a lot better the the silent whirr of a Tesla Model 3, but its lack of practicality and zero-to-60-time of 6.9 seconds can’t beat Elon Musk’s latest invention, which he says will do the sprint in less than six seconds.
Ford C-Max Energi
A well-equipped Ford C-Max Energi with a few options came up to $36,240 before incentives, which means that if we kitted it out even more, the price could climb even higher. This plug-in hybrid gets only 38 mpg combined and 19 miles of all-electric range, which the Tesla will drive circles around because it doesn’t use any gas and promises a 215-mile range.
We would understand now if Ford wanted to discontinue its slow-selling plug-in hybrid.
Volkswagen Eos
Probably one of the lamest cars available right now, the VW Eos is being discontinued this year. Pricing starts at $36,145 and tops out at more than $42,000, which is nuts when you think that you can have a Tesla for less than that.
Buick LaCrosse
A mid-range Buick LaCrosse with all-wheel drive starts at $39,830. Yawn. Powered by a 3.6-liter V6 with 304 horsepower, the sedan isn’t a slow poke and it’s pretty well-equipped, but saying “I drive a Buick” somehow doesn’t have the same zing as saying “I drive a Tesla.”
Dodge Grand Caravan
A topline Dodge Grand Caravan with a few options came up to $36,220. Sure, the Tesla Model 3 can’t hold seven people, but it’s really no contest when when consider that these two cars are on the complete opposite side of the cool spectrum.
Jodi has been obsessed with cars since she was little and has been an automotive journalist for the past 12 years. She has a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto, is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and a jury member for the prestigious North American Car/Truck/Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY). Besides hosting videos, and writing news, reviews and features, Jodi is the Editor-in-Chief of AutoGuide.com and takes care of the site's day-to-day operations.
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Great, what happens after the battery runs down? And the federal subsidy for these cars runs out. What an irrelevant car for other than urban uses!
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