Compare the2022 BMW 3 Series SedanVS 2021 Tesla Model 3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The 3 Series Sedan’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Model 3 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The 3 Series Sedan has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The 3 Series Sedan has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 3 Series Sedan’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The 3 Series Sedan’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The 3 Series Sedan has standard BMW Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the 3 Series Sedan and the Model 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW 3 Series Sedan is safer than the Tesla Model 3:

	3 Series Sedan	Model 3
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	207 lbs.	230 lbs.
Neck Compression	32 lbs.	42 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	201/230 lbs.	333/455 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	33%	33%
Neck Stress	170 lbs.	190 lbs.
Neck Compression	74 lbs.	101 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW 3 Series Sedan is safer than the Tesla Model 3:

	3 Series Sedan	Model 3
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	532 lbs.	556 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	270	384
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	544 lbs.	557 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The 3 Series Sedan’s corrosion warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the Model 3’s (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 3 Series Sedan for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Tesla doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Model 3.

There are almost 3 times as many BMW dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 3 Series Sedan’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 11 places higher in initial quality than Tesla, which has 65 more problems per 100 vehicles than BMW.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 68 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 13 places higher in reliability than Tesla.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the M340i is faster than the Model 3 Standard Plus:

	3 Series	Model 3
Zero to 60 MPH	4.2 sec	5 sec
Quarter Mile	12.7 sec	13.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	110.4 MPH	104.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The 330i’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel is 561.6 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Model 3’s range is only 263 to 353 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 15 minutes for only a 50% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the 3 Series Sedan’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Model 3:

	3 Series	Model 3
Front Rotors	13 inches	12.6 inches

The 3 Series Sedan stops much shorter than the Model 3:

	3 Series	Model 3
70 to 0 MPH	151 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	103 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The 3 Series Sedan’s optional 255/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Model 3 Performance’s 35 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 3 Series Sedan can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Model 3 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The 3 Series Sedan has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the 3 Series Sedan flat and controlled during cornering. The Model 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The 3 Series Sedan offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Model 3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 330i handles at .99 G’s, while the Model 3 pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The M340i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Model 3 (25 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 26.4 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the 3 Series Sedan’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Model 3’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

Cargo Capacity

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 3 Series Sedan’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Model 3 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 3 Series offers cargo security. The Model 3’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 3 Series Sedan offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a power trunk.

Servicing Ease

A Condition-Based Service Display is standard on the 3 Series Sedan to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and vehicle inspection based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model 3.

Ergonomics

The 3 Series Sedan offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the 3 Series Sedan has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Model 3 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The 3 Series Sedan also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The 3 Series Sedan’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model 3 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the 3 Series Sedan has standard extendable sun visors. The Model 3 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The 3 Series Sedan’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Model 3’s power mirror controls are embedded in the infotainment system, seriously distracting drivers who have to adjust them while driving.

On extremely cold winter days, the 3 Series Sedan’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the 3 Series Sedan owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the 3 Series Sedan with a number “3” insurance rate while the Model 3 is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 3 Series Sedan is less expensive to operate than the Model 3 because typical repairs cost much less on the 3 Series Sedan than the Model 3, including $135 less for a water pump and $403 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW 3 Series Sedan and the Tesla Model 3, based on reliability, safety and performance.