BMW 3 Series vs Tesla Model 3 Comparison

Tesla Model 3 vs BMW 3 Series 320i Sedan comparison – head to head, spec to spec

BMW 3 Series Sedan is one of the top competitors for Tesla Model 3 in the compact sedan class which became the reason for assembling this detailed comparison below.

I have selected the BMW 320i (MSRP: $35,895) from the 3 series family which is close to the price of the base Model 3 (MSRP: $35,000). I am sure this in-depth comparison will assist the car community to make a better decision towards their next purchase.

The thing to remember here is that Tesla Model 3 is equipped with next-generation Autopilot/Self-Driving Hardware that makes it a potential full self-driving car of the future and gives the electric-sedan a distinctive edge over it’s ICE counterparts. Traditional automakers might not be able to fill this gap anytime soon, rest is your choice.

You can jump to the desired information by clicking on the links in the navigation menu below, you can always scroll back to top easily by clicking the arrow in bottom right pointing upwards.

Some sections have related links for further study and details don’t forget to read and share them. More comparison links at the end of the tables below. Like us on Facebook or follow on Twitter to stay tuned.

 
0-60 mph: 5.6 Secs (5.1 Secs Long Range version)

0-60 mph: 7.1 Secs

Exterior Dimensions (Inches)

OptionsTesla Model 3BMW 320i Sedan
Length184.8182.5
Width76.171.3
Height56.854.7
Wheelbase113.2110.6
 
 

Interior Dimensions (Inches)

OptionsTesla Model 3BMW 320i Sedan
Headroom - Front / Rear39.6 / 37.7 (40.3 / 37.7 with Glass Roof)40.3 / 37.7
Leg Room - Front / Rear42.7 / 35.242 / 35.1
Shoulder Room - Front / Rear56.3 / 54.055.1 / 55.1
Hip Room - Front / Rear53.4 / 52.4N/A / N/A
 

Luggage Capacity / Cargo Volume (ft³)

 Tesla Model 3BMW 320i Sedan
(compare with several other Sedans and EVs)1513
 

Emissions / Fuel Economy

 Tesla Model 3BMW 320i Sedan
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/yearZero6.1 (Est)
Fuel Economy MPGe / MPG126 MPGeHighway: 37, City: 27, Combined: 31
 

Weight Info

Base Curb Weight : lbs3549 (Standard Battery)3620
 3814 (Long Range Battery) 
 

Suspension

OptionsTesla Model 3BMW 320i Sedan
FrontDouble wishbone, virtual steer axis front suspension with coil over twin-tube shock absorbers and stabilizer barMacPherson strut with Coil Springs
RearIndependent multi-link rear suspension with twin-tube shock absorbers and stabilizer barMulti-link suspension with Coil Springs
 

Interior

OptionsTesla Model 3BMW 320i Sedan
Climate ControlDual zone climate control systemDual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning, Rear HVAC with Separate Controls
Seating TrimTextile seating (all vegan)SensaTec upholstery
Front ArmrestFront center console with open storage and two USB portsFront-seat center armrest
TrimPremium heated seating and cabin materials throughout, including open pore wood décor (Only with Premium upgrades pack)Interior Trim -inc: Metal-Look Instrument Panel Insert, Metal-Look Door Panel Insert, Metal-Look Console Insert and Metal-Look Interior Accents
Interior LightingNo Official InfoBMW Ambiance lighting front and rear; includes ground-illuminating lights in door handles and courtesy lights, with fade in/fade out, actuation from remote, automatic switch-on when engine is turned off, illuminated center stack, separately controlled left/right, front and rear reading lights, front footwell lighting, and illuminated vanity mirrors
 
 

Convenience / Connectivity / Tech

OptionsTesla Model 3BMW 320i Sedan
On-board ComputerOn-board Supercomputer (Nvidia Drive PX2)iDrive system with on-board computer
Steering ControlsSteering wheel with twin scrollers enabling access to multiple-functions including steering height and side mirror adjustments3-spoke leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel with controls for audio system and cruise control
Center Screen15" center touch screen with multi layered info, navigation and autopilot display6.5" center screen, Controller and 8 programmable memory buttons
Internet connectivityWi-Fi and LTE internet connectivityN/A
RadioFM/Internet streaming radioHD Radio™ with "multicast" FM station reception and Pre-wiring for SiriusXM® Satellite Radio Tuner
Hands Free CallingBluetooth® hands-free calling and media streamingBluetooth® wireless communication for hands-free mobile phone
Keyless EntryKeyless entry and remote climate control using the Tesla appRemote Keyless Entry w/Integrated Key Transmitter, 4 Door Curb/Courtesy, Illuminated Entry and Panic Button
Rearview MirrorAuto dimming rear-view mirrorDay-Night Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
Side MirrorsPower-adjustable side mirrorsBody-Colored Power Heated Auto Dimming Side Mirrors w/Power Folding and Turn Signal Indicator
Power WindowsOne-touch power windows throughoutPower 1st Row Windows w/Front And Rear 1-Touch Up/Down
Power Seats12-way, power adjustable front seats, steering column and side mirrors (Only with Premium Upgrades Package. Manually adjustable seats in base Model 3)6-way manually adjustable front seats; includes 2-way manual headrests
Driver ProfilesUniversal driver profiles accessible through entire Tesla fleetAdvanced Vehicle & Key Memory includes most recently used climate-control temperature and air-distribution settings; exterior mirror and power seat settings; audio tone settings and radio presets; central-locking preferences; and lighting preferences
Rear CameraBack-Up CameraBack-Up Camera
Trunk/Frunk OpeningManual Opening (mainly due to future ride sharing phenomenon)FOB Controls include: Trunk/Hatch/Tailgate and Windows
 

Safety

OptionsTesla Model 3BMW 320i Sedan
BrakesElectromechanically boosted four wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD)High-performance, lightweight, 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC)
Radars/SensorsEight cameras, forward radar and twelve ultrasonic sensors enabling active safety technologies including collision avoidance and automatic emergency brakingImpact sensor that activates Battery Safety Terminal disconnect of alternator, fuel pump and starter from battery; automatically unlocks doors; and turns on hazard and interior lights
AirbagsSix front row and two side curtain airbagsDriver's and passenger's front airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS) with advanced technology: dual-threshold, dual-stage deployment; and front-passenger-seat sensors designed to prevent unnecessary airbag deployment, Seat-mounted front side-impact airbags, Knee airbags for driver and front passenger, Curtain 1st and 2nd Row Airbags
Seat BeltsThree-point safety belts with belt-reminders for driver and four passengersFront safety belts with automatic pretensioners, Automatic-locking retractors (ALR) on all passenger safety belts for installation of child-restraint seat
LATCHTwo LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) attachments in second rowLATCH attachments for child-restraint safety installation
Traction / Stability ControlsElectronic stability and traction controlDynamic Stability Control (DSC), including Brake Fade Compensation, Start-off Assistant, Brake Drying, and Brake Stand-by features; with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)
Tire Pressure MonitoringTire pressure monitoring systemTire Pressure Monitor with Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
Emergency AssistN/ABMW Assist eCall Emergency S.O.S
Anti-theftAnti-theft alarm systemAnti-theft alarm system
Child LocksChild safety locksRear Child Safety Locks
 

Warranties / Assistance

OptionsTesla Model 3BMW 320i Sedan
Warranty4 year, 50,000 mile limited warranty4-year/50,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks 2017 Models (valid only in the USA including Puerto Rico)
Battery8 year, 100,000 mile (120,000 mile with Long Range Battery)N/A
Roadside Assistan24x7x365 Availability (more info)4-year Unlimited Mileage Roadside Assistance Program
Other WarrantiesN/ABMW Ultimate Care (for complete details, visit bmwusa.com/ultimatecare_maintenance), 12-year Unlimited Mileage Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
Iqtidar Ali
[email protected]

Iqtidar Ali reports on the latest happenings at Tesla and Electric Vehicle forefront. With over 1 decade of experience in website development, he's our IT resource as well.


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3 Comments
  • Kevin Smith
    Posted at 14:34h, 28 August Reply

    The 320i’s 0-60 is 7.1 seconds, not 5.4. You’re thinking of the 330i, which is $5k more and the 0-60 is 5.5.

    • X Auto
      Posted at 14:45h, 28 August Reply

      Actually car and driver mentioned 5.4 for all 3 series, detailed specs from BMW also didn’t mention 0-60, I am going to fix this, thanks !

  • Expert BMW Driver Test Drives Tesla Model 3 | CleanTechnica
    Posted at 17:01h, 06 February Reply

    […] Several media outlets have contrasted the specs of the old favorite and the new upstart — X Auto and the BMW Blog have each published detailed spec-by-spec comparisons – but how do the […]

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