Jaecoo J5 vs Tesla Model 3
Two electric cars go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Jaecoo J5 scores higher, 72 vs 71
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 3 Oct 2026, price 1 Oct 2026
Jaecoo J5
21 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 no dataFrom
$35,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 155kW
- Energy use
- 16.5 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP hasn't rated this model
- Boot (seats up)
- 384L
Top CarSorted Score, 72 vs 71
Jaecoo Australia offer: $36,990 drive-away (state not stated), ends 30 Nov 2026. Terms
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Tesla Model 3
10 of 27 standard · no option data · 17 no dataFrom
$45,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric Motor
- Power
- No data
- Energy use
- No data
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- No data
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Manufacturer offer
Ends 30 Nov 2026
Manufacturer's terms: while stocks last.
Offer from Jaecoo Australia, checked 11 Nov 2026
T&Cs apply, as the manufacturer prints them. Eligibility, stock and build limits vary, so confirm the offer with the dealer.
Tesla Model 3: we're still completing wheelbase, kerb weight, power, torque and transmission, plus 3 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$35,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$45,900RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
Jaecoo J5 EV Summit
$35,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 2 Sept 2026
$36,990 drive-away in VIC, as published by Jaecoo Australia
About $148 a week in repayments ($36,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive
$45,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 1 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $189 a week in repayments ($45,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Jaecoo J5 starts $9,910 lower on RRP.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), which applies to salary-sacrificed novated leases.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$148/wk(≈$641/mo)
Estimate on the Jaecoo J5 at $36,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Jaecoo J5Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published ratings include no record for the Jaecoo J5. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the Jaecoo J5 and 5 on the Tesla Model 3.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
Jaecoo J5
None open on our record
Tesla Model 3
- REC-006300 · published 3 Mar 2025Due to a software issue, the Electronic Power Assist Steering system (EPAS) may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- REC-006042 · published 1 Aug 2024Due to manufacturing defect, the bonnet latch assembly may not detect when it is opened by the driver and therefore fail to warn the driver of "open bonnet".Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2024
- REC-005879 · published 30 Jan 2024The rear centre seat position of the Model 3 does not have an accessible top-restraint anchorage point as required by Australian Design Rule 34/03.Year range on the notice: 2023
- 8 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
58.9kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 130kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Jaecoo J5 features a 13.2-inch touchscreen paired with a 8.9-inch digital dash, while the Tesla Model 3 gets a 16-inch display.
The Jaecoo J5 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and ventilated seats — features our data doesn't list for the Tesla Model 3. The Tesla Model 3 counters with panoramic roof and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Jaecoo J5 gets synthetic leather (pet-friendly) upholstery while the Tesla Model 3 offers vegan leather with textile inserts.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
Detailed powertrain specifications are not yet available for both models.
Space & Comfort
The Jaecoo J5 measures 4,380mm long on a 2,620mm wheelbase, 340mm shorter than the Tesla Model 3 at 4,720mm.
For towing, the Jaecoo J5 leads with a 1,250kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 250kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
The Jaecoo J5 turns in a 10.8 m circle, kerb to kerb; the Tesla Model 3's turning circle is not on our record.
Cost to own
We do not hold a like-for-like fuel or energy figure for both cars, so we do not cost them against each other.
Warranty: 8 years / Unlimited (Jaecoo J5) and 5 years / Unlimited (Tesla Model 3). Capped-price servicing: 8 years (Jaecoo J5), no data (Tesla Model 3).
Where each one leads
The Jaecoo J5: the lower starting price ($35,990 against $45,900), the longer warranty (8 years against 5) and the higher braked towing limit (1,250kg against 1,000kg).
The Tesla Model 3: nothing in the figures we hold puts it ahead of the Jaecoo J5.
The Verdict
Jaecoo J5 scores higher, 72 vs 71
The Jaecoo J5 scores 72 to the Tesla Model 3's 71 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 7 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Tesla Model 3 ahead by 19 points), value (Jaecoo J5 ahead by 13 points), performance (Tesla Model 3 ahead by 13 points). Warranty: 8 years on the Jaecoo J5, 5 on the Tesla Model 3.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$148/wk(≈$641/mo)
Estimate on the Jaecoo J5 at $36,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Jaecoo J5Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Jaecoo J5 and Tesla Model 3?
The Jaecoo J5 is the cheapest at $35,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Tesla Model 3 by $9,910.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Tesla Model 3 has the most range at 572km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Tesla Model 3 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 175kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Tesla Model 3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP's published ratings include no record for Jaecoo J5, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The Jaecoo J5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,250kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Jaecoo J5 has the longest warranty at 8 years / unlimited km.
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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