2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range vs 2026 Toyota Camry LE
What owning it really costs, all in
The value it loses plus what it costs to run — the cheaper car to buy isn't always the cheaper car to own.
Going electric usually costs less to run — roughly $1,000 a year less than gas here. Over five years that's about $5,000 you keep — money that could grow in your car fund. These are rough estimates for about 12,000 miles a year; what you actually pay depends on local electricity and gas prices and how far you drive.
You don't have to decide today. Save a little each week and your car fund keeps growing — pick the car when you're ready and the down payment is already there.
Start my car fundHave the Downly app? Open it hereBuying either one means a big payment up front — around $7,972 for the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range or $5,591 for the 2026 Toyota Camry LE. Leasing can let you keep that money working for you instead of handing it to the dealer. See your monthly and how much cash you'd keep — lease vs buy, side by side.
Questions people ask
At a fair price the 2026 Toyota Camry LE costs less — about $27,956, versus $39,858 for the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range.
The 2026 Toyota Camry LE holds its value a little better — about 62% after three years, versus 55% for the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range.
Looking at the whole picture — the value it loses plus what it costs to run — the 2026 Toyota Camry LE costs less to own over three years, about $15,076 (roughly 42¢ a mile), versus $18,858 for the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range. The cheaper car to buy isn't always the cheaper car to own. A national-average guide, not a quote.
A common starting point is about 20% up front — that's roughly $7,972 for the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range or $5,591 for the 2026 Toyota Camry LE. Start a fund and it keeps growing while you decide.
It's worth a look if you'd rather keep your cash. Buying either one means a big payment up front — around $7,972 for the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range or $5,591 for the 2026 Toyota Camry LE. Leasing usually skips most of that, so that money stays yours instead of going to the dealer — Downly suggests putting $0 down on a lease. See lease vs buy for either car to compare the monthly and how much cash you'd keep.
Usually, yes. Charging the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range at home runs about $700 a year, versus about $1,700 to fuel the 2026 Toyota Camry LE — roughly $1,000 a year less, or about $5,000 over five years. These are rough estimates for about 12,000 miles a year; what you pay depends on local electricity and gas prices.
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