Compare the2023 BMW 330eVS 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The 330e’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The 330e offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The 330e’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 Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 330e and the Camry Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The BMW 330e weighs 503 to 700 pounds more than the Toyota Camry Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW 330e is safer than the Toyota Camry Hybrid:

	330e	Camry Hybrid
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	207 lbs.	262 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	201/230 lbs.	432/527 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	252	335
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches
Leg Forces (l/r)	200/338 lbs.	266/310 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 330e is safer than the Toyota Camry Hybrid:

	330e	Camry Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	107	134
Hip Force	252 lbs.	296 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	47 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	532 lbs.	752 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
Hip Force	544 lbs.	622 lbs.

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

Warranty

The 330e comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Camry Hybrid’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The 330e’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Camry Hybrid’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 330e for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the Camry Hybrid (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

Reliability

The battery on the 330e is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the 330e’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Camry Hybrid’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

Engine

The 330e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 80 more horsepower (288 vs. 208) than the Camry Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the 330e running on electricity gets better mileage than the Camry Hybrid:

			MPGe
330e
	RWD	Electric Motor	72 city/80 hwy
	AWD	Electric Motor	64 city/71 hwy
Camry Hybrid
			MPG
	FWD	LE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	51 city/53 hwy
		SE/XLE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	44 city/47 hwy

The 330e can travel with zero emissions for 20 to 23 miles (dependent on model). The Camry Hybrid can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Transmission

The 330e’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the 330e’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Camry Hybrid:

	330e	330e	Camry Hybrid
Front Rotors	13 inches	13.7 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.6 inches	11.06 inches

The 330e’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Camry Hybrid are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 330e has larger standard tires than the Camry Hybrid (225/45R18 vs. 205/65R16).

The 330e’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Camry Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires. The 330e’s optional 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Camry Hybrid XSE’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 330e has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Camry Hybrid.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 330e can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The 330e 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 Camry Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 330e has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The 330e’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.7% to 50.3%) than the Camry Hybrid’s (57.3% to 42.7%). This gives the 330e more stable handling and braking.

Chassis

The 330e is 6.2 inches shorter than the Camry Hybrid LE/XLE, making the 330e easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the 330e’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Camry Hybrid’s useful trunk space.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 330e’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 330e offers cargo security. The Camry Hybrid’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 330e 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 Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer a power trunk.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the 330e is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Camry Hybrid. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 18% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 20th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the 330e, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger’s seat positions, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The 330e’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 Camry Hybrid’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The 330e’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Camry Hybrid and aren’t offered on the Camry Hybrid Nightshade.

When the 330e is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Camry Hybrid’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The 330e’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Camry Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the 330e and the Camry Hybrid offer available heated front seats. The 330e also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Camry Hybrid.

Both the 330e and the Camry Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the 330e has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

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