2026 BMW 3 Series vs 2026 Nissan Sentra
The Nissan Sentra wins clearly, 87.1 to 64, on price, tech & comfort, fuel & range. The BMW 3 Series is ahead on performance and safety.
2026 BMW 3 Series
The 2026 BMW 3 Series is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid midsize sedan with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 330i Sedan, is EPA-rated at…
2026 Nissan Sentra
The 2026 Nissan Sentra is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize sedan with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sentra (2-mode), is EPA-rated…
2026 Nissan Sentra
Clear winThe Nissan Sentra wins clearly, 87.1 to 64, on price, tech & comfort, fuel & range. The BMW 3 Series is ahead on performance and safety.
| Category · weight | 2026 BMW 3 Seriesoverall 64 | 2026 Nissan Sentraoverall 87.1 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 30.1 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 77.2 | 100 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 84.1 | 76.5 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 89.7 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 41 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 21.3 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | ||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Overall | 64 | 87.1 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
BMW 3 Series: base trim M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD · Nissan Sentra: base trim S FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Nissan Sentra wins
- It lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 6.
- It starts $52,600 lower ($22,600 against $75,200 base MSRP).
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (23.5 points against 5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
Where the 2026 BMW 3 Series answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (1 against 16 filed with NHTSA).
- It turns out 398 lb-ft of torque against 146.
What they share
- 5 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
47 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $75,200 | $22,600 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | — |
| Cylinder count | 6 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,998 cc | 1,997 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | Inline 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo with 48-volt mild hybrid | 2.0L DOHC I4 |
| Fuel injection system | — | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 24-Valve | 4 valves per cylinder, Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 386 hp | 149 hp |
| Torque | 398 lb-ft | 146 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 30 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | — | 33 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 38 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 2.81 | 5.034 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | — |
| Transmission type | 8-speed STEPTRONIC | cvt |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.1 in | 4.7 in |
| Overall height | 56.7 in | 57.1 in |
| Overall length | 186 in | 183 in |
| Overall width | 71.9 in | 71.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 112 in | 107 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 16.9 cu-ft | 14.3 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | — | 110 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | — | 38.9 in |
| Third-row headroom | — | 36.7 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | — | 44 in |
| Third-row legroom | — | 34.8 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,008 lbs | 3,097 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,008 lbs | 3,097 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 4,079 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | — | Independent strut with coil springs |
| Rear suspension type | — | Multi-link independent |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power Steering (EPS) with Servotronic function | Dual pinion electric power-assisted |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19.7 ft | 34.8 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 279 mm |
| Front brake type | — | Vented disc |
| Parking brake type | — | Electric with auto-hold |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 259 mm |
| Rear brake type | — | Vented disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 19 in | 16 in |
| Wheel material | — | steel |
| Wheel width | 8 in | 6.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 225/40 R19 | 205/60R16 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 15.6 gal | 12.4 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | — | 87 |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | — | 56.2 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | — | 54.6 in |
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
96 features · differences first, then sharedSafety35 differ · 35 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection & Cyclist Detection | — | std |
| Intelligent Forward Collision Warning | — | std |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | std |
| Surround View with 3D View | std | — |
| Driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags | — | std |
| Lane Departure Warning with haptic steering wheel | — | std |
| Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor | — | std |
| Rear View Camera | std | — |
| Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection | — | std |
| Active Park Distance Control | std | — |
| Active Park Distance Control | std | — |
| Rear passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags | — | std |
| Anti-lock Braking System | — | std |
| Blind Spot Intervention | — | std |
| Blind Spot Warning | — | std |
| Brake Assist | — | std |
| Driver and front passenger knee supplemental air bags | — | std |
| Easy-Fill Tire Alert | — | std |
| Electronic Brake force Distribution | — | std |
| Haptic steering wheel | — | std |
| High Beam Assist | — | std |
| Hill Start Assist | — | std |
| Intelligent Cruise Control with steering wheel-mounted switches | — | std |
| Intelligent Driver Alertness | — | std |
| Intelligent Trace Control | — | std |
| Lane Departure Prevention | — | std |
| Parking Assistance Package | std | — |
| Parking Assistant Plus | std | — |
| Rear Door Alert | — | std |
| Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor | — | std |
| Traction Control System | — | std |
| Traffic Sign Recognition | — | std |
| Vehicle Dynamic Control | — | std |
| Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System | — | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System – direct sensor type | — | std |
Infotainment15 differ · 15 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 1 rear, charge-only USB Type C port | — | std |
| 12.3-inch NissanConnect® touchscreen | — | std |
| 2 front USB Type C ports | — | std |
| 4 speakers | — | std |
| 7-inch multi-information display | — | std |
| AM/FM with RDS | — | std |
| Bluetooth® hands-free phone system with Streaming Audio via Bluetooth® | — | std |
| BMW Curved Display with Head-Up Display | std | — |
| Google Assistant™ voice recognition | — | std |
| Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant | — | std |
| Harman Kardon Surround Sound System | std | — |
| NissanConnect® Services including Wi-Fi Hotspot (factory option) | — | std |
| Premium Package | std | — |
| Siri® Eyes Free | — | std |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay® and wireless Android Auto™ | — | std |
Convenience4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12-volt DC power outlet | — | std |
| Power door locks with auto-locking feature | — | std |
| Power windows with driver-side one-touch auto up/down and auto reverse | — | std |
| Remote Keyless Entry system with Push Button Ignition | — | std |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Manual air conditioning | — | std |
Seating6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated front seats | — | opt |
| 6-way manual adjustable | — | std |
| 4-way manual front passenger seat | — | std |
| Cloth front seats | — | std |
| Extended Merino Leather Upholstery | std | — |
| Rear seats 60/40-split fold-down | — | std |
Interior3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Fiber Interior Trim | std | — |
| Sun visors with vanity mirrors | — | std |
| Manual tilt and telescoping steering wheel | — | std |
Exterior23 differ · 23 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| LED headlights (high/low beam) | — | std |
| 16-inch steel with cover, 16 x 6.5-inch wheels | — | std |
| 19-inch M Dual-spoke Bicolor Black 792M wheels | std | — |
| 205/60R16 all-season tires | — | std |
| Adaptive Full LED Lights | std | — |
| All-Season Runflat Tires | std | — |
| BMW Individual Paint | std | — |
| Body-color door handles | — | std |
| Daytime Running Lights | — | std |
| Extended Shadowline Trim | std | — |
| Gloss black power outside mirrors | — | std |
| Intelligent Auto Headlights | — | std |
| LED tail lights | — | std |
| M Performance Exhaust | std | — |
| M Performance Rear Spoiler in Carbon Fiber | std | — |
| M Shadowline Lights | std | — |
| M Sport Package Professional | std | — |
| Shadowline Package | std | — |
| Temporary spare: Tire repair kit | — | std |
| V-motion front grille, gloss black with chrome finisher | — | std |
| Variable intermittent front wipers | — | std |
| Rear window defroster with timer | — | std |
| Center High-Mount Stop Light | — | std |
Powertrain5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive | std | — |
| Drive configuration: Front-engine / front-wheel drive | — | std |
| 8-speed Steptronic transmission | std | — |
| Idle Stop/Start | — | std |
| TwinPower Turbo and 48-volt mild hybrid technology | std | — |
Chassis4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Active Ride Control | — | std |
| Electric parking brake with auto-hold | — | std |
| Intelligent Ride Control | — | std |
| M Sport Brakes | std | — |
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.
Nissan Sentra
Top recalls
- high Seats 26V145000 · 15 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Nissan SentraS FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $75,200 (base trim) | $22,600 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $75,200 1 trims | $22,600 – $27,990 4 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | 330i xDrive Sedan | Sentra (2-mode) |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 29 | 33 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,850 | $2,050 |
| 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 Nissan Sentra?
The Nissan Sentra wins clearly, 87.1 to 64, on price, tech & comfort, fuel & range. The BMW 3 Series is ahead on performance and safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Nissan Sentra scores 87.1 and the 2026 BMW 3 Series 64. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 BMW 3 Series or the 2026 Nissan Sentra?
The 2026 Nissan Sentra starts lower — $22,600 against $75,200, a gap of $52,600 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 BMW 3 Series or the 2026 Nissan Sentra?
2026 BMW 3 Series: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 recalls. 2026 Nissan Sentra: 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 biggest differences between the 2026 BMW 3 Series and the 2026 Nissan Sentra?
Where the 2026 Nissan Sentra wins: it lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 6, starts $52,600 lower ($22,600 against $75,200 base MSRP), and lists more comfort and tech equipment (23.5 points against 5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½). Where the 2026 BMW 3 Series answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (1 against 16 filed with NHTSA) and turns out 398 lb-ft of torque against 146. What they share: 5 seats.