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Ford Explorer vs Tesla Model 3
Selected trimRWDChange trim332 mi · 60 kWh · £37,990
At a glance
In this comparison, Ford Explorer leads on charging speed and city driving, while the Tesla Model 3 leads on motorway range and running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Tesla Model 3 if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Tesla Model 3 edges ahead overall, but it's close - check which categories matter most to you.
Value
Ford
6.1
Tesla
6.4
Too close to call
Motorway RangeTesla
Ford
3.5
Tesla
5.5
Family
Ford
6.7
Tesla
7.1
Too close to call
ChargingFord
Ford
4.6
Tesla
2.3
Cost Per MileTesla
Ford
3.5
Tesla
8.8
City DrivingFord
Ford
5.4
Tesla
4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Tesla Model 3
RWD
- 59 miles more WLTP range
- 212 litres more boot space
- 70 kW faster rapid charging
- 68 kW more power
- 1.8s quicker 0-62 mph
- 34 Wh/km more efficient
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,185 (better) | £37,990 |
| Official range | 273 miles | 332 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 470 L | 682 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 25 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec | 6.2 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Ford Explorer
Tesla Model 3
Length
Ford Explorer4,468mm-253mm
Tesla Model 34,721mm
Width
Ford Explorer1,872mm-61mm
Tesla Model 31,933mm
Height
Ford Explorer1,630mm
Tesla Model 31,440mm-190mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,468 mm | 4,721 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,872 mm (better) | 1,933 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,063 mm (better) | 2,088 mm |
| Height | 1,630 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.9 m (better) | 11.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 528 mm spare (better) | 467 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear legroom | 916 mm | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 470 L | 682 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1460 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,000 kg (better) | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Ford Explorer
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Tesla Model 3
- 2nd-largest boot among saloon EVs in our catalogue at 682 L.
- At 4,721 mm, shorter than 90% of saloon EVs in our UK catalogue.
- Uses 130 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 100% of saloon EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Ford Explorer Style 58kWh |  Tesla Model 3 RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.47m | 4.72m+253mm |
| Width | 1.87m | 1.93m+61mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.06m | 2.09m+25mm |
| Height | 1.63m | 1.44m-190mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.77m | Not available |
| Ground Clearance | 193mm | 137mm-56mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 470L | 682L* (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1460L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | 916mm | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.9m (better) | 11.6m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,908kg | 1,772kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,000kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 58kWh | 60kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 273 mi | 332 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 105kW | 175kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,185 (better) | £37,990 |
| Price after EV grant | £33,685 (-£1,500) | £37,990 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Saloon |
| Available | 2026+ | 2024+ |
* Tesla Model 3: Tesla publishes 682 L as total cargo volume (boot + frunk, measured to roof) — not directly comparable to standard VDA figures used by other brands.
* Tesla Model 3: Not published by Tesla; verified from multiple independent sources.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 273 miles | 332 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 183 miles | 229 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 25 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 105 kW | 175 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | Not available |
| Energy consumption | 164 Wh/km | 130 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 58 kWh (better) | 57.5 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec | 6.2 sec (better) |
| Power | 140 kW | 208 kW (better) |
| Torque | 310 Nm | 340 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
Tesla Model 3
RWD
8.5/10
average across 6 reviews
- Electrifying.com9/10
- Auto Express4.5/5
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Ford Explorer
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Ford Explorer Style 58kWh
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist72%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Tesla Model 3 RWD
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant90%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users89%
Safety Assist87%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
Owners love
- Owners praise the quiet, comfortable ride and the planted, enjoyable handling, often rated above the VW ID.4.
- Efficiency is a strong point: owners report around 3.4 to 4 miles per kWh, 300+ miles from a full charge in mild weather and about 200 in winter.
- Rear-seat space is generous, and the interior is felt to be a step up from other Fords.
Watch out for
- A few owners report electrical faults soon after delivery (warning lights, a failed instrument display, a car that would only select neutral), with long waits for a diagnosis.
- Several owners report slow repairs, parts waits and difficulty getting a courtesy car, and some dealers were unfamiliar with the car.
- The heat pump and head-up display are extra-cost options.
Owner tips
- Precondition the car before cold-weather journeys to keep efficiency up.
- Check the car thoroughly on collection, including paint and every warning light, before accepting it.
Tesla Model 3
RWD
Owners love
- Excellent driving dynamics with responsive steering, handling, and smooth one-pedal regenerative braking
- Superior touchscreen interface that is intuitive, responsive, and readable in sunlight
- Growing Supercharger network offers reliable charging infrastructure with competitive pricing
Watch out for
- Removal of physical stalks for wipers and turn signals creates safety concerns and requires constant touchscreen interaction while driving
- Automatic windshield wipers frequently malfunction in light rain and drizzle due to camera-based Tesla Vision system
- Unreliable indicator stalk (on older models with stalks) frequently malfunctions or doesn't respond consistently
Owner tips
- Test drive the specific model configuration before ordering to experience controls, door handles, and touchscreen usability in real driving conditions
- Use home charging with EV-specific energy tariffs to maximize cost savings; home charging is significantly cheaper than public chargers
Buying options
Get a quote
Ford Explorer
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Tesla Model 3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Ford Explorer
No active listings.
Tesla Model 3
- £32,6462025Car360View
- £30,2992025Car360View
- £29,6992025Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tesla Model 3 worth the extra £2,805 over the Ford Explorer?
The Tesla Model 3 costs £2,805 more than the Ford Explorer. For that premium it adds 59 miles more WLTP range, 70 kW faster peak rapid charging and 212 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Tesla Model 3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Ford Explorer or the Tesla Model 3?
The Ford Explorer is £2,805 cheaper to buy. The Tesla Model 3 is cheaper to charge, roughly £144 a year versus £176 for the Ford Explorer, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Ford Explorer comes out roughly £2,645 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Ford Explorer and Tesla Model 3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 183 miles for the Ford Explorer and 229 miles for the Tesla Model 3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Tesla Model 3 goes roughly 46 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Ford Explorer or the Tesla Model 3?
The Ford Explorer is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 61 mm narrower than the Tesla Model 3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 528 mm of total clearance for the Ford Explorer and about 467 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model 3. The Ford Explorer also turns in a 0.7 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Ford Explorer or the Tesla Model 3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Ford Explorer and 92% for the Tesla Model 3. That gives the Tesla Model 3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Tesla Model 3's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Ford Explorer's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Ford Explorer comparisons
More Tesla Model 3 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Ford Explorer and Tesla Model 3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Tesla Model 3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Ford Explorer and Tesla Model 3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Tesla Model 3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Tesla Model 3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Ford Explorer and Tesla Model 3 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .