2026 BMW 3 Series vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The BMW 3 Series wins clearly, 100 to 90.9, on performance, safety.
2026 BMW 3 Series
The 2026 BMW 3 Series is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid compact sedan with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 330i Sedan, is EPA-rated at…
2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid compact sedan with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the C300, is EPA-rated…
2026 BMW 3 Series
Clear winThe BMW 3 Series wins clearly, 100 to 90.9, on performance, safety.
| Category · weight | 2026 BMW 3 Seriesoverall 100 | 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Classoverall 90.9 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | no data | no data |
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 100 |
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 92 |
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 100 |
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 66.1 |
| Tech & comfortw 3 | no data | no data |
| Warrantyw 2 | no data | no data |
| Overall | 100 | 90.9 |
BMW 3 Series: base trim M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD · Mercedes-Benz C-Class: model-level data. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Specifications side by side
24 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $75,200 | — |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | — |
| Cylinder count | 6 | — |
| Engine displacement | 2,998 cc | — |
| Engine type (full description) | 3.0L Inline 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo with 48-volt mild hybrid | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 386 hp | — |
| Torque | 398 lb-ft | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 2.81 | — |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | — |
| Transmission type | automatic | — |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.1 in | — |
| Overall height | 56.7 in | — |
| Overall length | 186 in | — |
| Overall width | 71.9 in | — |
| Wheelbase | 112 in | — |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 16.9 cu-ft | — |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,008 lbs | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power Steering (EPS) with Servotronic function | — |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19.7 ft | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 19 in | — |
| Wheel width | 8 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 225/40 R19 | — |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 15.6 gal | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
21 features · differences first, then sharedSafety4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Surround View with 3D View | std | — |
| Rear View Camera | std | — |
| Active Park Distance Control | opt | — |
| Parking Assistant Plus | opt | — |
Infotainment2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| BMW Curved Display with Head-Up Display | opt | — |
| Harman Kardon Surround Sound System | opt | — |
Seating1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Extended Merino Leather Upholstery | std | — |
Interior1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Fiber Interior Trim | std | — |
Exterior9 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| 19-inch M Dual-spoke Bicolor Black 792M wheels | std | — |
| Adaptive Full LED Lights | opt | — |
| All-Season Runflat Tires | std | — |
| BMW Individual Paint | std | — |
| Extended Shadowline Trim | opt | — |
| M Performance Exhaust | std | — |
| M Performance Rear Spoiler in Carbon Fiber | std | — |
| M Shadowline Lights | opt | — |
| M Sport Package Professional | opt | — |
Powertrain3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive | std | — |
| 8-speed STEPTRONIC transmission | std | — |
| TwinPower Turbo and 48-volt mild hybrid technology | std | — |
Chassis1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| M Sport Brakes | opt | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPBMW 3 Series
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Top recalls
- highElectrical System26V281000 · 144,049 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $75,200 (base trim) | — |
| Price range across trims | $75,200 1 trims | — |
| Powertrains | HEV | HEV |
| EPA configuration compared | 330i xDrive Sedan | C300 |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 29 | 29 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,650 | $2,650 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 BMW 3 Series or the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The BMW 3 Series wins clearly, 100 to 90.9, on performance, safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 BMW 3 Series scores 100 and the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 90.9. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 BMW 3 Series or the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
2026 BMW 3 Series: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 recalls. 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 1 recall. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the differences between the 2026 BMW 3 Series and the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
This page puts 24 specifications and 21 equipment items side by side, with the better value marked on every row where the direction is unambiguous and the differences listed before the things both cars share.