Compare the2023 BMW 3 Series SedanVS 2023 Genesis G70

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 G70 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW 3 Series Sedan has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The G70 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 G70 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 G70 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 3 Series Sedan M340i offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The G70 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the 3 Series Sedan and the G70 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The 3 Series Sedan’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the G70’s (12 vs. 7 years).

There are over 14 percent more BMW dealers than there are Genesis dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 3 Series Sedan’s warranty.

The 330i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (255 vs. 252) and 34 lbs.-ft. more torque (294 vs. 260) than the G70 2.0T’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The M340i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 17 more horsepower (382 vs. 365) than the G70 3.3T’s standard 3.3 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the 330i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the G70 2.0T 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the 3 Series Sedan gets better mileage than the G70:

Regenerative brakes improve the 3 Series Sedan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The G70 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Regardless of its engine, the 3 Series Sedan’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Genesis only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the G70 2.0T.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW 3 Series Sedan higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Genesis G70 (3). This means the 3 Series Sedan produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the G70 every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the 3 Series Sedan’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the G70:

The 3 Series Sedan’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the G70 2.0T are solid, not vented.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The 3 Series Sedan has a standard Brake assistant to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The G70 doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The 3 Series Sedan stops much shorter than the G70:

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 G70 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 3 Series Sedan has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The G70’s suspension doesn’t offer rear gas-charged shocks.

The 330i handles at .95 G’s, while the G70 Sport Advanced pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M340i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the G70 Sport Advanced (25 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 26 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

The design of the BMW 3 Series Sedan amounts to more than styling. The 3 Series Sedan has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .26 Cd. That is lower than the G70 (.28) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the 3 Series Sedan get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the 3 Series Sedan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The G70 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the 330i is quieter than the G70 (74 vs. 77 dB).

The 3 Series Sedan has .7 inches more rear headroom and .4 inches more rear legroom than the G70.

The 3 Series Sedan has a much larger trunk than the G70 (13 vs. 10.5 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 3 Series Sedan’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The G70 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 G70’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Genesis. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 30% lower rating, Genesis is ranked 23rd.

If the windows are left open on the 3 Series Sedan the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the G70 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 3 Series Sedan’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The G70’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The 3 Series Sedan M340i’s optional Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The G70 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The 3 Series Sedan will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 3 Series Sedan will retain 44.47% to 45.8% of its original price after five years, while the G70 only retains 43.59% to 44.28%.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW 3 Series Sedan and the Genesis G70, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its February 2020 issue and they ranked the BMW 330i first. They ranked the Genesis G70 third.

The BMW 3 Series outsold the Genesis G70 by almost five to one during the 2021 model year.