2026 BMW 3 Series vs 2026 Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 wins clearly, 91.5 to 56.3, on fuel & range, tech & comfort, price. The BMW 3 Series is ahead on 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 Tesla Model 3
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 is sold in the U.S. as an electric midsize sedan with 5 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Model 3 Premium RWD, is …
2026 Tesla Model 3
Clear winThe Tesla Model 3 wins clearly, 91.5 to 56.3, on fuel & range, tech & comfort, price. The BMW 3 Series is ahead on safety.
| Category · weight | 2026 BMW 3 Seriesoverall 56.3 | 2026 Tesla Model 3overall 91.5 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 49.2 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 19.8 | 100 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 66 | ||||||||||||
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 | 80.3 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancenot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 27.8 | 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 | 56.3 | 91.5 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 5 of 7 categories compared
BMW 3 Series: base trim M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD · Tesla Model 3: base trim Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive 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 Tesla Model 3 wins
- It costs $2,300 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $2,850).
- It is rated 139 combined against 29 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (18 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 25 filed with NHTSA).
- It lists 6 standard driver-assist features against 3.
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
26 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $75,200 | $36,990 |
| 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 | Electric Motor |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 24-Valve | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 386 hp | — |
| Torque | 398 lb-ft | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 2.81 | — |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | — |
| Transmission type | 8-speed STEPTRONIC | Single-Speed |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.1 in | 5.4 in |
| Overall height | 56.7 in | 56.7 in |
| Overall length | 186 in | 186 in |
| Overall width | 71.9 in | 76.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 112 in | — |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 16.9 cu-ft | 24 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,008 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,008 lbs | 3,759 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
53 features · differences first, then sharedSafety9 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Surround View with 3D View | std | — |
| Rear View Camera | std | — |
| Active Park Distance Control | std | — |
| Active Park Distance Control | std | — |
| 8 exterior cameras | — | std |
| Full Self-Driving (Supervised) capable | — | std |
| Parking Assistance Package | std | — |
| Parking Assistant Plus | std | — |
| Traffic-aware cruise control | — | std |
Infotainment11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2 wireless phone chargers | — | std |
| Cellular data, Wi-Fi, ultra-wide band and Bluetooth connectivity | — | std |
| 15.4" First-row touchscreen | — | std |
| 3 USB-C ports | — | std |
| 7 Speaker audio system | — | std |
| Basic Vehicle Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 mi, whichever comes first | — | std |
| BMW Curved Display with Head-Up Display | std | — |
| Grok voice assistant | — | std |
| Harman Kardon Surround Sound System | std | — |
| Over-the-air software updates | — | std |
| Premium Package | std | — |
Convenience1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Hands-free power open on approach | — | std |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Particulate and odor filter; First-row touchscreen adjust air vents | — | std |
Seating6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| First-row heated seats | — | std |
| Extended Merino Leather Upholstery | std | — |
| First-row power recline | — | std |
| Five-seat interior | — | std |
| Second-row manual-folding seats | — | std |
| Vegan leather with textile inserts | — | std |
Interior4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated steering wheel | — | std |
| Carbon Fiber Interior Trim | std | — |
| Center console with extended storage | — | std |
| Manual-adjust heated steering wheel | — | std |
Exterior13 differ · 13 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive 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 | — |
| Extended Shadowline Trim | std | — |
| LED headlights; Auto and adaptive high beams | — | std |
| M Performance Exhaust | std | — |
| M Performance Rear Spoiler in Carbon Fiber | std | — |
| M Shadowline Lights | std | — |
| M Sport Package Professional | std | — |
| Manual-folding side-view mirrors | — | std |
| Panoramic glass roof | — | std |
| Shadowline Package | std | — |
Powertrain6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive | std | — |
| 8-speed Steptronic transmission | std | — |
| Battery & Drive Unit Warranty: 8 years or 100,000 mi, whichever comes first | — | std |
| Drive Modes: Chill, Standard | — | std |
| Supercharging Max 225 kW; Pay Per Use | — | std |
| TwinPower Turbo and 48-volt mild hybrid technology | std | — |
Chassis2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| M Sport Brakes | std | — |
| Passive shock absorbers | — | 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.
Tesla Model 3
Top recalls
- high Seats 25V410000 · 48 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $75,200 (base trim) | $36,990 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $75,200 1 trims | $36,990 – $54,990 4 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV | BEV |
| EPA configuration compared | 330i xDrive Sedan | Model 3 Standard RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 29 | 139 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,850 | $550 |
| EV range | — | 321 mi |
| Basic warranty | — | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 BMW 3 Series or the 2026 Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 wins clearly, 91.5 to 56.3, on fuel & range, tech & comfort, price. The BMW 3 Series is ahead on safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Tesla Model 3 scores 91.5 and the 2026 BMW 3 Series 56.3. 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 Tesla Model 3?
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 starts lower — $36,990 against $75,200, a gap of $38,210 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 Tesla Model 3?
2026 BMW 3 Series: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 recalls. 2026 Tesla Model 3: 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 Tesla Model 3?
Where the 2026 Tesla Model 3 wins: it costs $2,300 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $2,850), is rated 139 combined against 29 (EPA mpg or MPGe), and lists more comfort and tech equipment (18 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 25 filed with NHTSA) and lists 6 standard driver-assist features against 3. What they share: 5 seats.