Kia EV4 vs Tesla Model 3: cost to own
Verdict, over 6 years
The Kia EV4 costs about $13,161 less
That's $183 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.EV4 Light FWD✓ $950/moTrue cost
Model 3 Premium Rear-Wheel Drive$1,133/moTrue cost
2026 Kia EV4Closest matching trim: EV4 Light FWD
Sticker (MSRP)$38,995
+$3,488→↓Freight, fees, HST
Drive away$42,483
+ running costs→↓− $13,484 resale
True cost$950/moA month to own, after resale
2026 Tesla Model 3Closest matching trim: Model 3 Premium Rear-Wheel Drive
Sticker (MSRP)$39,490
+$8,406→↓Freight, fees, HST
Drive away$47,896
+ running costs→↓− $14,513 resale
True cost$1,133/moA month to own, after resale
Line by line
| Price | |||
| Sticker (MSRP) | ✓ $38,995 | $39,490 | EV4 by $495 |
| Freight and fees, before tax | $3,025 | ✓ $2,896 | Model 3 by $129 |
| Sales tax (HST) | ✓ $5,463 | $5,510 | EV4 by $47 |
| EV rebate | −$5,000 | — | — |
| Drive-away price | ✓ $42,483 | $47,896 | EV4 by $5,413 |
| Running costs, 6 years | |||
| Fuel or charging | $2,825 | ✓ $2,573 | Model 3 by $252 |
| Insurance (estimate) | ✓ $14,253 | $19,796 | EV4 by $5,543 |
| Maintenance (estimate) | ✓ $5,427 | $6,730 | EV4 by $1,303 |
| Loan rate | 6.5% | 6.5% | — |
| Loan interest | ✓ $7,883 | $9,022 | EV4 by $1,139 |
| Lost return on your money | ✓ $8,932 | $9,976 | EV4 by $1,044 |
| Resale after 6 yrs | −$13,484 | ✓ −$14,513 | Model 3 by $1,029 |
| Total | |||
| True cost | ✓ $68,410 | $81,572 | EV4 by $13,162 |
| True cost a month | ✓ $950/mo | $1,133/mo | EV4 by $183 |
| You pay each month | ✓ $944/mo | $1,127/mo | EV4 by $183 |
| Practical | |||
| Fuel type | Electric | Electric | — |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | — |
| Carry-ons, 2 people | Not published | Not published | — |
| Fast charge, minutes | 29 (10-80%) | — | — |
| Cargo behind row 2, litres | Not published | Not published | — |
| Range, km (winter about 70%) | 391 (274) | ✓ 463 (324) | — |
| Length | 4.73 m | — | — |
| Ground clearance | 14 cm | — | — |
| Resale % after 6 yrs | 35% | ✓ 37% | — |
| US crash test | Not rated yet | ✓ 5★ | — |
| European crash test | ✓ 4★ (2025); 5★ with pack | 5★ (2025) | — |
Price
Sticker (MSRP)
Freight and fees, before tax
Sales tax (HST)
EV rebate
Drive-away price
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging
Insurance (estimate)
Maintenance (estimate)
Loan rate
Loan interest
Lost return on your money
Resale after 6 yrs
Total
True cost
True cost a month
You pay each month
Practical
Fuel type
Seats
Carry-ons, 2 people
Fast charge, minutes
Cargo behind row 2, litres
Range, km (winter about 70%)
Length
Ground clearance
Resale % after 6 yrs
US crash test
European crash test
✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the EV4 typical for its type and brand, the Model 3 from its own. Their stickers differ by $495.