Compare the2022 Toyota Avalon HybridVS 2021 Tesla Model 3

The Avalon Hybrid has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats (WIL), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WIL system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Avalon Hybrid has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Avalon Hybrid Limited offers an optional Bird’s Eye View Camera 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.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Avalon Hybrid’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Avalon 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 Avalon Hybrid and the Model 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rearview cameras.

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 Avalon Hybrid is safer than the Tesla Model 3:

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

The Avalon Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Model 3’s (5/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Avalon Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Tesla doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Model 3.

There are over 9 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Avalon Hybrid’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 74 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 31st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 78 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Tesla is ranked 25th.

The Avalon Hybrid’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel is 580.8 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Model 3’s range is only 353 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 8 hours and 30 minutes for only a % charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas.

The Avalon Hybrid stops shorter than the Model 3:

The Avalon Hybrid has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Model 3; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Avalon Hybrid is .4 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Model 3.

For better maneuverability, the Avalon Hybrid XLE’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Model 3’s (37.7 feet vs. 38.8 feet). The Avalon Hybrid Limited’s turning circle is .1 feet tighter than the Model 3’s (38.7 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The front grille of the Avalon Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Model 3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Avalon Hybrid has 6.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Model 3 (103.8 vs. 97).

The Avalon Hybrid has 2.4 inches more front hip room, 2 inches more front shoulder room, 5.2 inches more rear legroom, 2.3 inches more rear hip room and 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model 3.

The Avalon Hybrid has a much larger trunk than the Model 3 (16.1 vs. 15 cubic feet).

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Avalon Hybrid to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model 3.

The Avalon Hybrid Limited has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Avalon Hybrid Limited has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Model 3 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Avalon 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 Avalon Hybrid has standard extendable sun visors. The Model 3 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Avalon Hybrid’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Model 3’s power mirror controls are embedded in the infotainment system, seriously distracting drivers who have to adjust them while driving.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Avalon Hybrid Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Model 3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Avalon Hybrid Limited’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Avalon Hybrid and the Tesla Model 3, based on reliability, safety and performance.