2026 BMW 3 Series vs 2026 Porsche Taycan
The BMW 3 Series wins clearly, 88.2 to 68.9, on tech & comfort, price, safety. The Porsche Taycan is ahead on fuel & range.
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 Porsche Taycan
The 2026 Porsche Taycan is sold in the U.S. as an electric midsize sedan with 17 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Taycan 4 Perf Battery …
2026 BMW 3 Series
Clear winThe BMW 3 Series wins clearly, 88.2 to 68.9, on tech & comfort, price, safety. The Porsche Taycan is ahead on fuel & range.
| Category · weight | 2026 BMW 3 Seriesoverall 88.2 | 2026 Porsche Taycanoverall 68.9 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 100 | 71.1 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 30.5 | 100 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 75 | ||||||||||||
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 | 63.3 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 98 | 89.6 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 16.7 | ||||||||||||
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 | 88.2 | 68.9 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
BMW 3 Series: base trim M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD · Porsche Taycan: base trim Taycan RWD. 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 BMW 3 Series wins
- It lists 5 standard driver-assist features against 0.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (6 points against 1 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It starts $30,600 lower ($75,200 against $105,800 base MSRP).
Where the 2026 Porsche Taycan answers
- It costs $2,000 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($850 against $2,850).
- It is rated 91 combined against 29 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
What they share
- A Safety Signal of 100.
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
37 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $75,200 | $105,800 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | — |
| Cylinder count | 6 | — |
| Engine displacement | 2,998 cc | — |
| Engine type (full description) | Inline 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo with 48-volt mild hybrid | — |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 24-Valve | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 386 hp | 402 hp |
| Torque | 398 lb-ft | 272 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 91 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | — | 79 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 94 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 2.81 | — |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | — |
| Transmission type | 8-speed STEPTRONIC | Two-speed dog-ring rear |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.1 in | — |
| Overall height | 56.7 in | 54.2 in |
| Overall length | 186 in | 195 in |
| Overall width | 71.9 in | 77.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 112 in | 114 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 16.9 cu-ft | 10.7 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,008 lbs | 4,630 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,008 lbs | 4,630 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 6,162 lbs |
| Payload capacity | — | 1,532 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | — | Aluminum double-wishbone, 2-chamber adaptive air suspension with PASM |
| Rear suspension type | — | Aluminum multi-link axle with subframe, 2-chamber adaptive air suspension with PASM |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power Steering (EPS) with Servotronic function | Electromechanical |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 39.4 ft | 38.4 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 360 mm |
| Front brake type | — | Steel, internally vented |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 358 mm |
| Rear brake type | — | Steel, internally vented |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 19 in | 19 in |
| Wheel width | 8 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 225/40 R19 | 225/55 R19 / 275/45 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
74 features · differences first, then sharedSafety5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Surround View with 3D View | std | — |
| Rear View Camera | std | — |
| Active Park Distance Control | std | — |
| Parking Assistance Package | std | — |
| Parking Assistant Plus | std | — |
Infotainment4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD |
|---|---|---|
| BMW Curved Display with Head-Up Display | std | — |
| BMW Curved Display with Head-Up Display | std | — |
| Harman Kardon Surround Sound System | std | — |
| Premium Package | std | — |
Seating1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Extended Merino Leather Upholstery | std | — |
Interior2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Fiber Interior Trim | std | — |
| MY26 MSRP | — | std |
Exterior24 differ · 24 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 19-inch M Dual-spoke Bicolor Black 792M wheels | std | — |
| Adaptive Full LED Lights | std | — |
| All-Season Runflat Tires | std | — |
| BMW Individual Paint | std | — |
| Curb weight (lbs) | — | std |
| Drag coefficient (Cd) | — | std |
| Extended Shadowline Trim | std | — |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (lbs) | — | std |
| Height (inches) | — | std |
| Length (inches) | — | 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 | — |
| Standard tire type | — | std |
| Tires: front/rear | — | std |
| Track width front (inches) | — | std |
| Track width rear (inches) | — | std |
| Wheel size and design | — | std |
| Wheelbase (inches) | — | std |
| Wheels: front/rear | — | std |
| Width (inches) | — | std |
| Width w/mirrors (inches) | — | std |
Powertrain23 differ · 23 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD |
|---|---|---|
| xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive | std | — |
| 8-speed Steptronic transmission | std | — |
| Acceleration 0-60 mph, w/Launch Control (sec) | — | std |
| Acceleration 1/4 mile, w/Launch Control (sec) | — | std |
| Cell type | — | std |
| Charge Time, 0% -100% SoC @ 9.6 kW (hrs) | — | std |
| Charge Time, 10% -80% SoC @ 150 kW (min) | — | std |
| Charge Time, 10% -80% SoC @ 270 kW (min) | — | std |
| Drivetrain | — | std |
| Energy Content, gross/net (kWh) | — | std |
| Maximum Regenerative Braking Force | — | std |
| Motor type, front/rear | — | std |
| MPGe (combined, city/hwy) | — | std |
| Pack configuration | — | std |
| Pack weight (lbs) | — | std |
| Power to weight ratio (lbs/hp) | — | std |
| Pulse Inverter Amperage, front/rear | — | std |
| Range (miles) | — | std |
| Top track speed (mph) | — | std |
| Total maximum power, hp | — | std |
| Total maximum torque (lb.-ft.) | — | std |
| Transmission type, front/rear | — | std |
| TwinPower Turbo and 48-volt mild hybrid technology | std | — |
Chassis12 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Caliper color | — | std |
| Caliper type | — | std |
| Front axle | — | std |
| M Sport Brakes | std | — |
| Number of pistons (front/rear) | — | std |
| Rear axle | — | std |
| Rotor construction | — | std |
| Rotor diameter (front/rear) mm | — | std |
| Rotor thickness (front/rear) mm | — | std |
| Steering ratio | — | std |
| Steering system | — | std |
| Turning circle (ft) | — | std |
Cargo3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo area volume (cu.-ft.) front | — | std |
| Cargo area volume (cu.-ft.) rear | — | std |
| Payload, maximum (lbs) | — | 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.
Porsche Taycan
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $75,200 (base trim) | $105,800 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $75,200 1 trims | $105,800 – $243,700 16 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV | BEV |
| EPA configuration compared | 330i xDrive Sedan | Taycan Performance Battery |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 29 | 91 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,850 | $850 |
| EV range | — | 274 mi |
| 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 Porsche Taycan?
The BMW 3 Series wins clearly, 88.2 to 68.9, on tech & comfort, price, safety. The Porsche Taycan is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 BMW 3 Series scores 88.2 and the 2026 Porsche Taycan 68.9. 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 Porsche Taycan?
The 2026 BMW 3 Series starts lower — $75,200 against $105,800, a gap of $30,600 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 Porsche Taycan?
2026 BMW 3 Series: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 recalls. 2026 Porsche Taycan: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. 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 Porsche Taycan?
Where the 2026 BMW 3 Series wins: it lists 5 standard driver-assist features against 0, lists more comfort and tech equipment (6 points against 1 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and starts $30,600 lower ($75,200 against $105,800 base MSRP). Where the 2026 Porsche Taycan answers: it costs $2,000 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($850 against $2,850) and is rated 91 combined against 29 (EPA mpg or MPGe). What they share: a Safety Signal of 100.