BMW 3 Series vs the field
Every head-to-head WhichTrim has scored for the 3 Series: 20 comparisons against 12 rivals across the 2025–2027 model years, each on price, fuel, safety, space, performance, tech and warranty from EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer data — the weights yours to change on any of them.
By rival
12 rivals · verdicts at default weightsToyota CamryCamry leads 1–0
Toyota CorollaCorolla leads 2–0
Honda CivicCivic leads 1–0
Tesla Model 3Model 3 leads 1–0
Hyundai ElantraElantra leads 1–0
Nissan SentraSentra leads 2–0
Volkswagen JettaJetta leads 2–0
Mercedes-Benz C-Classtoss-up
Genesis G70G70 leads 2–0
Clear win 6+ points · Edge 2–6 · Toss-up under 2. Open any pair for the scorecard, the biggest gaps in words and the sliders.
Where the 3 Series wins and loses
20 scored head-to-headsThe 3 Series leads on space & cargo in 13 of 15, performance in 12 of 15, safety in 11 of 20; it trails on price in 11 of 13, tech & comfort in 10 of 13, fuel & range in 11 of 15. Category scores are 0–100 from the data on each pair page; a lead here means the 3 Series scored higher in that category, whatever the weights.
| Category | 3 Series leads | Trails | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 2 of 13 | 11 | 0 |
| Fuel & range | 3 of 15 | 11 | 1 |
| Safety | 11 of 20 | 5 | 4 |
| Space & cargo | 13 of 15 | 1 | 1 |
| Performance | 12 of 15 | 2 | 1 |
| Tech & comfort | 2 of 13 | 10 | 1 |
Common questions about the BMW 3 Series head-to-heads
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the BMW 3 Series or the Toyota Camry?
The Toyota Camry wins clearly, 88.5 to 62.4, on price, tech & comfort, fuel & range. The BMW 3 Series is ahead on performance and safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Toyota Camry comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 BMW 3 Series vs 2026 Toyota Camry). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the BMW 3 Series or the Toyota Corolla?
The Toyota Corolla wins clearly, 89.5 to 60.7, 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 comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 BMW 3 Series vs 2026 Toyota Corolla). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the BMW 3 Series or the Honda Civic?
The Honda Civic wins clearly, 89.2 to 61.4, on price, tech & comfort, fuel & range. The BMW 3 Series is ahead on performance and safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Honda Civic comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 BMW 3 Series vs 2026 Honda Civic). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the BMW 3 Series or the Tesla Model 3?
Too close to call: BMW 3 Series 100 vs Tesla Model 3 100 with these weights. Too close to call at default weights: the 2027 BMW 3 Series is nominally ahead in the newest scored pairing (2027 BMW 3 Series vs 2027 Tesla Model 3). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the BMW 3 Series or the Hyundai Elantra?
The Hyundai Elantra wins clearly, 87.5 to 60.2, on price, tech & comfort, fuel & range. The BMW 3 Series is ahead on performance and safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Hyundai Elantra comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 BMW 3 Series vs 2026 Hyundai Elantra). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Where does the BMW 3 Series win and lose against its rivals?
The 3 Series leads on space & cargo in 13 of 15, performance in 12 of 15, safety in 11 of 20; it trails on price in 11 of 13, tech & comfort in 10 of 13, fuel & range in 11 of 15. Every count comes from the category scores on the pair pages linked above, which use EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press-kit data.
How does WhichTrim decide which vehicle wins?
Each of seven categories — price, fuel and range, safety, space and cargo, performance, tech and comfort, warranty — is scored 0–100 from the data on the page. Relative measures give 100 to the better vehicle and a proportional share to the other; NHTSA stars and the Safety Signal use their own scales. The overall score is the weighted mean at the default weights (price 4, safety 4, fuel 3, tech 3, space 2, performance 2, warranty 2). A margin of 6 points or more is a clear win, 2 to 6 an edge, under 2 a toss-up. Every pair page has sliders to set your own weights.