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

    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.

Browse by features/options:

• 01 – Exterior Dimensions
• 02 – Interior Dimensions
• 03 – Luggage Capacity / Cargo Volume
• 04 – Emissions / Fuel Economy
• 05 – Weight Info
• 06 – Suspension
• 07 – Interior
• 08 – Convenience / Connectivity / Tech
• 09 – Safety
• 10 – Warranties / Assistance

	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