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

Iqtidar Ali

BMW 3 Series vs Tesla Model 3 Comparison

by Iqtidar Ali | @IqtidarAlii

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.

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0-60 mph: 5.6 Secs (5.1 Secs Long Range version)
0-60 mph: 7.1 Secs

Exterior Dimensions (Inches)
Options Tesla Model 3 BMW 320i Sedan
Length 184.8 182.5
Width 76.1 71.3
Height 56.8 54.7
Wheelbase 113.2 110.6
 
 

Interior Dimensions (Inches)
Options Tesla Model 3 BMW 320i Sedan
Headroom - Front / Rear 39.6 / 37.7 (40.3 / 37.7 with Glass Roof) 40.3 / 37.7
Leg Room - Front / Rear 42.7 / 35.2 42 / 35.1
Shoulder Room - Front / Rear 56.3 / 54.0 55.1 / 55.1
Hip Room - Front / Rear 53.4 / 52.4 N/A / N/A
 

Luggage Capacity / Cargo Volume (ft³)
  Tesla Model 3 BMW 320i Sedan
(compare with several other Sedans and EVs) 15 13
 

Emissions / Fuel Economy
  Tesla Model 3 BMW 320i Sedan
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year Zero 6.1 (Est)
Fuel Economy MPGe / MPG 126 MPGe Highway: 37, City: 27, Combined: 31
 

Weight Info
Base Curb Weight : lbs 3549 (Standard Battery) 3620
  3814 (Long Range Battery)  
 

Suspension
Options Tesla Model 3 BMW 320i Sedan
Front Double wishbone, virtual steer axis front suspension with coil over twin-tube shock absorbers and stabilizer bar MacPherson strut with Coil Springs
Rear Independent multi-link rear suspension with twin-tube shock absorbers and stabilizer bar Multi-link suspension with Coil Springs
 

Interior
Options Tesla Model 3 BMW 320i Sedan
Climate Control Dual zone climate control system Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning, Rear HVAC with Separate Controls
Seating Trim Textile seating (all vegan) SensaTec upholstery
Front Armrest Front center console with open storage and two USB ports Front-seat center armrest
Trim Premium 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 Lighting No Official Info BMW 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
Options Tesla Model 3 BMW 320i Sedan
On-board Computer On-board Supercomputer (Nvidia Drive PX2) iDrive system with on-board computer
Steering Controls Steering wheel with twin scrollers enabling access to multiple-functions including steering height and side mirror adjustments 3-spoke leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel with controls for audio system and cruise control
Center Screen 15" center touch screen with multi layered info, navigation and autopilot display 6.5" center screen, Controller and 8 programmable memory buttons
Internet connectivity Wi-Fi and LTE internet connectivity N/A
Radio FM/Internet streaming radio HD Radio™ with "multicast" FM station reception and Pre-wiring for SiriusXM® Satellite Radio Tuner
Hands Free Calling Bluetooth® hands-free calling and media streaming Bluetooth® wireless communication for hands-free mobile phone
Keyless Entry Keyless entry and remote climate control using the Tesla app Remote Keyless Entry w/Integrated Key Transmitter, 4 Door Curb/Courtesy, Illuminated Entry and Panic Button
Rearview Mirror Auto dimming rear-view mirror Day-Night Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
Side Mirrors Power-adjustable side mirrors Body-Colored Power Heated Auto Dimming Side Mirrors w/Power Folding and Turn Signal Indicator
Power Windows One-touch power windows throughout Power 1st Row Windows w/Front And Rear 1-Touch Up/Down
Power Seats 12-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 Profiles Universal driver profiles accessible through entire Tesla fleet Advanced 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 Camera Back-Up Camera Back-Up Camera
Trunk/Frunk Opening Manual Opening (mainly due to future ride sharing phenomenon) FOB Controls include: Trunk/Hatch/Tailgate and Windows
 

Safety
Options Tesla Model 3 BMW 320i Sedan
Brakes Electromechanically 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/Sensors Eight cameras, forward radar and twelve ultrasonic sensors enabling active safety technologies including collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking Impact 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
Airbags Six front row and two side curtain airbags Driver'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 Belts Three-point safety belts with belt-reminders for driver and four passengers Front safety belts with automatic pretensioners, Automatic-locking retractors (ALR) on all passenger safety belts for installation of child-restraint seat
LATCH Two LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) attachments in second row LATCH attachments for child-restraint safety installation
Traction / Stability Controls Electronic stability and traction control Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), including Brake Fade Compensation, Start-off Assistant, Brake Drying, and Brake Stand-by features; with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)
Tire Pressure Monitoring Tire pressure monitoring system Tire Pressure Monitor with Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
Emergency Assist N/A BMW Assist eCall Emergency S.O.S
Anti-theft Anti-theft alarm system Anti-theft alarm system
Child Locks Child safety locks Rear Child Safety Locks
 

Warranties / Assistance
Options Tesla Model 3 BMW 320i Sedan
Warranty 4 year, 50,000 mile limited warranty 4-year/50,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks 2017 Models (valid only in the USA including Puerto Rico)
Battery 8 year, 100,000 mile (120,000 mile with Long Range Battery) N/A
Roadside Assistan 24x7x365 Availability (more info) 4-year Unlimited Mileage Roadside Assistance Program
Other Warranties N/A BMW Ultimate Care (for complete details, visit bmwusa.com/ultimatecare_maintenance), 12-year Unlimited Mileage Rust Perforation Limited Warranty

Source: Tesla, BMW, CarAndDriver

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