The highly anticipated Tesla Model 3 was partially revealed, sending the automotive world into a frenzy.
One of the most significant aspects of this new Tesla is that it is meant to be a high-volume seller with an affordable price — it’s much cheaper than any Tesla that came before it, and it’s within a normal car shopper’s budget.
ALSO SEE: 5 Facts That Were Just Unveiled About the Tesla Model 3
Starting at $35,000 before any government rebates, taxes, fees or incentives, the Tesla Model 3 seems like a huge bargain when you realize these oddball cars are more expensive.
Fiat 500 Cabrio Abarth
A fully loaded Fiat 500 Cabrio Abarth with a good amount of upgrades and options came up to $35,574. Yes, it’s the most fun Fiat you can buy and it would sound a lot better the the silent whirr of a Tesla Model 3, but its lack of practicality and zero-to-60-time of 6.9 seconds can’t beat Elon Musk’s latest invention, which he says will do the sprint in less than six seconds.
Ford C-Max Energi
A well-equipped Ford C-Max Energi with a few options came up to $36,240 before incentives, which means that if we kitted it out even more, the price could climb even higher. This plug-in hybrid gets only 38 mpg combined and 19 miles of all-electric range, which the Tesla will drive circles around because it doesn’t use any gas and promises a 215-mile range.
We would understand now if Ford wanted to discontinue its slow-selling plug-in hybrid.
Volkswagen Eos
Probably one of the lamest cars available right now, the VW Eos is being discontinued this year. Pricing starts at $36,145 and tops out at more than $42,000, which is nuts when you think that you can have a Tesla for less than that.
Buick LaCrosse
A mid-range Buick LaCrosse with all-wheel drive starts at $39,830. Yawn. Powered by a 3.6-liter V6 with 304 horsepower, the sedan isn’t a slow poke and it’s pretty well-equipped, but saying “I drive a Buick” somehow doesn’t have the same zing as saying “I drive a Tesla.”
Dodge Grand Caravan
A topline Dodge Grand Caravan with a few options came up to $36,220. Sure, the Tesla Model 3 can’t hold seven people, but it’s really no contest when when consider that these two cars are on the complete opposite side of the cool spectrum.