Compare the2026 Audi e-tron GTVS 2026 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.

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 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.

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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The Audi e-tron GT weighs 1072 to 1378 pounds more than the Tesla Model 3. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Audi pays for scheduled maintenance on the e-tron GT for 3 years and 30,000 miles. Audi will pay for cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Tesla doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Model 3.

There are over 45 percent more Audi dealers than there are Tesla dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the e-tron GT’s warranty.

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

As tested in Motor Trend the RS e-tron GT performance is faster than the Model 3 Premium All-Wheel Drive electric motors:

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Audi RS e-tron GT performance was clocked 7.8 seconds faster than the Tesla Model 3 Performance (170.6 sec. vs. 178.4 sec.).

The e-tron GT’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Model 3 doesn’t offer launch control.

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’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Model 3 (F:265/35R21 & R:305/30R21 vs. F:235/35R20 & R:275/30R20).

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.

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’s 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 offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Tesla doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Model 3.

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 average track (width between the wheels) on the e-tron GT is 4.8 inches wider in the front and 4.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Model 3.

The RS e-tron GT performance handles at .97 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 performance executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.1 seconds quicker than the Model 3 (23.3 seconds @ .93 average G’s vs. 26.4 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

A Service Interval Display is standard on the e-tron GT to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for vehicle inspections, 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.

Laser headlights, standard on the e-tron GT Prestige/RS, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the Model 3’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the e-tron GT Prestige/RS has standard 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.

The Audi e-tron GT has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Model 3 Premium/Performance.

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.

Compared to the Tesla Model 3’s traditional radio, the Audi e-tron GT 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.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its February 2026 issue and they ranked the Audi RS e-tron GT performance three places higher than the Tesla Model 3 Performance.