Compare two new cars by price, estimated monthly payment, fuel economy, and other specifications. Data comes from the CarPayCheck.com catalog and uses your selected financing terms.
| EV6 | Model 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Kia | Tesla |
| Starting price | $37,900 | $38,630 |
| Monthly payment | $441 | $449 |
| Fuel type | Electricity | Electricity |
| Fuel economy | 31.6 kWh/100 mi | 26.4 kWh/100 mi |
| CO₂ emissions | — | — |
| Annual maintenance cost | — | — |
The only well-documented recurring defect for 2022-2024 Kia EV6 models is ICCU failure, which can drain the 12V battery, interrupt charging, and cause sudden loss of drive power. A 2024 U.S. recall covers roughly 208,000 Kia, Hyundai, and Genesis EVs, including the EV6, with free dealer repairs. 2025-2026 EV6s share the architecture but lack equivalent documented recall coverage in available records.
The rear-view camera on Model 3 vehicles from the 2019-2020 model years can fail because repeated opening and closing of the trunk damages the coaxial cable feeding the camera, potentially causing a black screen or complete failure. This increases the risk of backing collisions. The issue was addressed in a December 2021 recall that covered 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles, with a free remedy; out-of-warranty harness repair is estimated to cost a few hundred dollars but no independent cost estimate is available.
Certain 2021-2022 Model 3 vehicles with Autopilot, and some 2020 models, may experience phantom braking where the car slams on its brakes at highway speed with no visible obstacle, which can cause rear-end collisions and erode driver confidence. This was investigated by NHTSA in February 2022 after numerous complaints. Tesla addressed it with free over-the-air software updates, so no owner-paid repair is typically needed.
Front upper control arm ball-joint wear can cause creaking or clunking sounds over bumps and while steering on Model 3 vehicles from 2019-2023, especially earlier builds. This can lead to uneven tire wear and, in severe cases, loss of suspension integrity. Out-of-warranty replacement typically costs between $400 and $900 per side including parts and labor.
Tesla Model 3 vehicles from 2019-2023 can experience premature failure of the 12V auxiliary battery, often within 2-4 years, leading to warnings like '12V battery needs service' and potentially leaving the vehicle inoperable. The battery may fail while parked, causing a sudden inability to unlock or start the car. Replacement at a service center typically costs between $250 and $450 including parts and labor.
In December 2023, Tesla recalled over 2 million US vehicles including the Model 3 from 2019-2023 because NHTSA found that Autopilot's controls may not sufficiently prevent driver misuse, increasing crash risk. The remedy was a free over-the-air software update to add more prominent alerts and checks. No owner out-of-pocket cost is associated with this recall.
Kia EV6 and Tesla Model 3 suit different driving needs. The main differences below cover price, monthly payment, fuel economy, and running costs.
EV6 starts at $37,900; Model 3 starts at $38,630. The difference is $730, making EV6 about 2% cheaper before financing.
Estimated monthly payment: EV6 — $441; Model 3 — $449. The difference is $8 per month, with EV6 lower.
Both models use Electricity. Fuel economy is EV6 — 31.6 kWh/100 mi; Model 3 — 26.4 kWh/100 mi. Model 3 uses less energy in everyday driving.
The final choice is about more than numbers: annual distance, city or highway use, and the space your household needs all matter. Use the CarPayCheck.com calculator to apply your financing terms and evaluate both cars in your situation.
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