Compare the2023 Audi e-tron GTVS 2022 Tesla Model 3

The e-tron GT’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Model 3 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The e-tron GT has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the e-tron GT. But it costs extra on the Model 3.

The e-tron GT Prestige/RS has a standard Top View Camera System 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 e-tron GT’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 e-tron GT has a standard Audi Connect CARE, 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 e-tron GT 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 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 Audi e-tron GT weighs 995 to 1259 pounds more than the Tesla Model 3. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are almost 2 times as many Audi dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the e-tron GT’s warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 11 places higher in reliability than Tesla.

The e-tron GT has more powerful engines than the Model 3:

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi e-tron GT is faster than the Tesla Model 3:

For better stopping power the e-tron GT’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Model 3:

The e-tron GT RS offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Model 3 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The e-tron GT stops much shorter than the Model 3:

For better traction, the e-tron GT has larger standard tires than the Model 3 (F:245/45R20 & R:285/40R20 vs. 235/45R18). The e-tron GT Prestige/RS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Model 3 (F:265/35R21 & R:305/30R21 vs. 235/45R18).

The e-tron GT’s standard 285/40R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Model 3’s standard 45 series tires. The e-tron GT Prestige/RS’ optional 305/30R21 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Model 3 Performance’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the e-tron GT has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Model 3. The e-tron GT Prestige/RS’ optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Model 3 Performance.

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

The front and rear suspension of the e-tron GT uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Model 3, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The e-tron GT has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Model 3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The e-tron GT has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The e-tron GT’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the e-tron GT is 4.8 inches wider in the front and 3.4 inches wider in the rear than on the Model 3.

The RS e-tron GT handles at .95 G’s, while the Model 3 pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The RS e-tron GT executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the Model 3 (24.1 seconds @ .85 average G’s vs. 26.4 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the e-tron GT’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Model 3’s (38.1 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the e-tron GT’s power trunk can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

A Service Interval Display is standard on the e-tron GT to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for vehicle inspection 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 e-tron GT Prestige/RS has a standard heads-up display that projects speed 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 see further while navigating curves, the e-tron GT offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Model 3 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The e-tron GT’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 e-tron GT has standard extendable sun visors. The Model 3 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the e-tron GT 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.

The e-tron GT offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Model 3.