Head-to-head
2026 BMW 3 Series vs 2026 Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla wins clearly, 89.5 to 60.3, on price, tech & comfort, fuel & range. The BMW 3 Series is ahead on performance and space & cargo.
A
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…
vs
A2026 Toyota Corolla
The 2026 Toyota Corolla is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact sedan with 12 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Corolla Hybrid, …
More BMW 3 Series head-to-heads More Toyota Corolla head-to-heads Every 3 Series vs Corolla model year
Verdict · default weights
2026 Toyota Corolla
Clear winThe Toyota Corolla wins clearly, 89.5 to 60.3, on price, tech & comfort, fuel & range. The BMW 3 Series is ahead on performance and space & cargo.
Price 2026 Toyota Corolla leads by 69.5
Tech & comfort 2026 Toyota Corolla leads by 83.3
Fuel & range 2026 Toyota Corolla leads by 49.1
| Category · weight | 2026 BMW 3 Seriesoverall 60.3 | 2026 Toyota Corollaoverall 89.5 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 30.5 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 50.9 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 90 | 87.1 | |||||||||||||||
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 | 85 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 46.2 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 16.7 | 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 | 60.3 | 89.5 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
BMW 3 Series: base trim M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD · Toyota Corolla: base trim LE FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Toyota Corolla wins
- It lists 30 standard driver-assist features against 6.
- It starts $52,275 lower ($22,925 against $75,200 base MSRP).
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (30 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 18 filed with NHTSA).
- It turns out 398 lb-ft of torque against 151.
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 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
43 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Toyota CorollaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $75,200 | $22,925 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 6 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,998 cc | 1,987 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | Inline 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo with 48-volt mild hybrid | 2.0-Liter Dynamic Force 4-Cylinder DOHC 16-Valve |
| Fuel injection system | — | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 24-Valve | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 386 hp | 169 hp |
| Torque | 398 lb-ft | 151 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 32 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | — | 35 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 41 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 2.81 | — |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | — |
| Transmission type | 8-speed STEPTRONIC | cvt |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.1 in | 5.3 in |
| Overall height | 56.7 in | 56.5 in |
| Overall length | 186 in | 182 in |
| Overall width | 71.9 in | 70.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 112 in | 106 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 16.9 cu-ft | 13.1 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | — | 88.6 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,008 lbs | 2,955 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,008 lbs | 2,955 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | — | Independent MacPherson strut front suspension with stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension type | — | Torsion beam rear suspension |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power Steering (EPS) with Servotronic function | Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 39.4 ft | 35.6 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 274 mm |
| Front brake type | — | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | — | Automatic Electric Parking Brake |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 259 mm |
| Rear brake type | — | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 19 in | 16 in |
| Wheel material | — | steel |
| Wheel width | 8 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 225/40 R19 | P205/55R16 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 15.6 gal | 13.2 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | — | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | Toyota |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | — | 60 months |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 60 months |
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
103 features · differences first, then sharedSafety36 differ · 36 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Toyota CorollaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control | — | std |
| Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection | — | std |
| Surround View with 3D View | std | — |
| Lane Tracing Assist | — | std |
| Rear View Camera | std | — |
| Ten airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, rear seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags | — | std |
| Ten airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, rear seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags | — | std |
| Ten airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, rear seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags | — | std |
| Active Park Distance Control | std | — |
| Active Park Distance Control | std | — |
| Ten airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, rear seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags | — | std |
| 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor on all passenger belts | — | std |
| Adjustable front shoulder anchors, driver and front passenger seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters | — | std |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | — | std |
| Auto High Beams | — | std |
| Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | — | std |
| Child-protector rear door locks | — | std |
| Driver and front passenger Whiplash-Injury-Lessening seats | — | std |
| Dynamic Radar Cruise Control | — | std |
| Electric Parking Brake | — | std |
| Electronic Stability Control | — | std |
| Energy-absorbing collapsible steering column | — | std |
| Front and rear energy-absorbing crumple zones with side-impact door beams | — | std |
| Head-impact protection structure | — | std |
| High-tensile-strength steel body panels | — | std |
| Hill Start Assist Control | — | std |
| Integrated backup camera with projected path | — | std |
| Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist | — | std |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear seats | — | std |
| Parking Assistance Package | std | — |
| Parking Assistant Plus | std | — |
| Road Sign Assist | — | std |
| Ten airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, rear seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags | — | std |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0 | — | std |
| Engine immobilizer | — | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitor System | — | std |
Infotainment14 differ · 14 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Toyota CorollaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Tilt/telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel with audio, Multi-Information Display, Bluetooth® hands-free phone, voice command, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist controls | — | std |
| 8-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen with six speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® 3-month trial subscription. | — | std |
| BMW Curved Display with Head-Up Display | std | — |
| Drive Connect — includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest (POI) data, Intelligent Assistant with "Hey, Toyota", and Destination Assist. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | — | std |
| Harman Kardon Surround Sound System | std | — |
| Premium Package | std | — |
| Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging | — | opt |
| Remote Connect — remotely interact with your vehicle through the Toyota app via your smartwatch. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | — | std |
| Safety Connect® — includes Emergency Assistance button, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification and Stolen Vehicle Locator. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | — | std |
| Service Connect — receive personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | — | std |
| Tilt/telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel with audio, Multi-Information Display, Bluetooth® hands-free phone, voice command, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist controls | — | std |
| Two front USB-C ports | — | std |
| Two rear USB-C ports | — | std |
| Wi-Fi Connect — With AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot and Integrated Streaming with Apple Music® and Amazon Music compatibility. Subscription required. 30 days or up to 3GB trial included. 4G network dependent. | — | std |
Convenience6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Toyota CorollaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Key System on front doors and trunk with Push Button Start, remote keyless entry system with lock, two-stage unlock, panic, and trunk-release functions | — | opt |
| LE Premium Package: Includes Smart Key System on front doors and trunk with Push Button Start, remote keyless entry system with lock, panic and trunk-release functions; 16-in. alloy wheels and P205/55R16 tires; and Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging | — | opt |
| Multi-function in-key remote keyless entry system with lock, unlock, panic, and trunk-release functions | — | std |
| One 12V auxiliary power outlet | — | std |
| Power door locks with automatic locking feature | — | std |
| Front and rear power windows with one-touch auto up/down | — | std |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Toyota CorollaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic climate control with dust and pollen filter, and push-button controls | — | std |
Seating5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Toyota CorollaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with center armrest and two cup holders | — | std |
| Fabric-trimmed 6-way adjustable driver's seat and 4-way adjustable front passenger seat | — | std |
| Fabric-trimmed 6-way adjustable driver's seat and 4-way adjustable front passenger seat | — | std |
| SofTex®-trimmed heated front seats; 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat | std | — |
| 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with center armrest and two cup holders | — | std |
Interior11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Toyota CorollaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 7-in. Digital Gauge Cluster | — | std |
| Carbon Fiber Interior Trim | std | — |
| Center console with storage compartment | — | std |
| Digital clock | — | std |
| Front- and rear-door storage pockets | — | std |
| Overhead console with maplights | — | std |
| Passenger-side glove compartment | — | std |
| Two front cup holders | — | std |
| Two rear cup holders | — | std |
| Day/night rearview mirror | — | std |
| Driver and front passenger sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors | — | opt |
Exterior24 differ · 24 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Toyota CorollaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 16-in. alloy wheels and P205/55R16 tires | — | opt |
| 16-in. steel wheels with covers and P205/55R16 tires | — | std |
| 19-inch M Dual-spoke Bicolor Black 792M wheels | std | — |
| Adaptive Full LED Lights | std | — |
| All-Season Runflat Tires | std | — |
| Black front grille | — | std |
| BMW Individual Paint | std | — |
| Color-keyed heated power outside mirrors with Blind Spot Monitor warning indicators | — | std |
| Color-keyed outside door handles | — | std |
| Color-keyed power outside mirrors with Blind Spot Monitor warning indicators | — | std |
| Color-keyed roof-mounted shark-fin antenna | — | std |
| Extended Shadowline Trim | std | — |
| Intermittent windshield wipers | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights and accent lighting | — | std |
| LED headlights | — | std |
| LED taillights and stop 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 | — |
| Spare Tire/Wheel: Tire Repair Kit | — | std |
| Rear window defogger with timer | — | std |
Powertrain5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Toyota CorollaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| SE AWD available | std | — |
| Front-wheel drive (FWD) | — | std |
| 8-speed Steptronic transmission | std | — |
| Automatic engine shutoff | — | std |
| TwinPower Turbo and 48-volt mild hybrid technology | std | — |
Chassis1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Toyota CorollaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls 0
Owner complaints 1 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Tires (1)
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Toyota Corolla
Safety Signal 97 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 1
Owner complaints 18 · 6 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Unspecified (8), Service Brakes (3), Air Bags (2)
Top recalls
- minor Exterior Lighting 26V110000 · 86 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Toyota CorollaLE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $75,200 (base trim) | $22,925 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $75,200 1 trims | $22,925 – $29,140 8 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV | HEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | 330i xDrive Sedan | Corolla Hybrid |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 29 | 50 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,850 | $1,350 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | — | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Roadside assistance | — | 2 yr |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 BMW 3 Series or the 2026 Toyota Corolla?
The Toyota Corolla wins clearly, 89.5 to 60.3, on price, tech & comfort, fuel & range. The BMW 3 Series is ahead on performance and space & cargo. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Toyota Corolla scores 89.5 and the 2026 BMW 3 Series 60.3. 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 Toyota Corolla?
The 2026 Toyota Corolla starts lower — $22,925 against $75,200, a gap of $52,275 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 Toyota Corolla?
2026 BMW 3 Series: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 recalls. 2026 Toyota Corolla: 5 NHTSA stars, 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 Toyota Corolla?
Where the 2026 Toyota Corolla wins: it lists 30 standard driver-assist features against 6, starts $52,275 lower ($22,925 against $75,200 base MSRP), and lists more comfort and tech equipment (30 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 18 filed with NHTSA) and turns out 398 lb-ft of torque against 151. What they share: 5 NHTSA stars and 5 seats.