Compare the2023 Chrysler 300 VS 2023 BMW 3 Series Sedan

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Chrysler 300 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the 300 and the 3 Series Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

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, results indicate that the Chrysler 300 is safer than the BMW 3 Series Sedan:

	300	3 Series Sedan
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	134	305
Hip Force	350 lbs.	532 lbs.

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

Chrysler’s powertrain warranty covers the 300 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 3 Series Sedan. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 3 Series Sedan ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 7 times as many Chrysler dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 300’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the 300 has a standard 730-amp battery. The 3 Series Sedan’s 720-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The 300 has more powerful engines than the 3 Series Sedan:

	Horsepower	Torque
300 3.6 DOHC V6	292 HP	260 lbs.-ft.
300S 3.6 DOHC V6	300 HP	264 lbs.-ft.
300 5.7 V8	363 HP	394 lbs.-ft.
300C 6.4 V8	485 HP	475 lbs.-ft.
330i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	255 HP	294 lbs.-ft.
M340i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	382 HP	368 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Chrysler 300 V8 is faster than the 330i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

	300	3 Series Sedan
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	6.4 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.1 sec	4.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	14.8 sec

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the 300 V8’s fuel efficiency. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The 300 has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the 3 Series Sedan (18.5 vs. 15.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The 300 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the 300C’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 3 Series Sedan:

	300C	330i	M340i
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	13 inches	13.7 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13 inches	13.6 inches

For better traction, the 300’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 3 Series Sedan (245/45R20 vs. 225/40R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 300 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The 3 Series Sedan’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 300’s wheelbase is 7.8 inches longer than on the 3 Series Sedan (120 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 300 is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 3 Series Sedan.

For better maneuverability, the 300’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the 3 Series Sedan’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The 300 has 3.5 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 4.9 inches more rear legroom and 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the 3 Series Sedan.

The 300 has a much larger trunk than the 3 Series Sedan (16.3 vs. 13 cubic feet).

The 300 has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The 3 Series Sedan has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Mitigation on the 300 uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The 300 (except Base)’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the 300 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the 300 S/Touring L to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 300 S/Touring L keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Insurance will cost less for the 300 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 300 will cost $200 to $7225 less than the 3 Series Sedan over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 300 is less expensive to operate than the 3 Series Sedan because it costs $318 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the 300 than the 3 Series Sedan, including $408 less for a water pump, $45 less for front brake pads, $406 less for a starter, $278 less for fuel injection and $467 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chrysler 300 will be $7093 to $12446 less than for the BMW 3 Series Sedan.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chrysler 300 and the BMW 3 Series Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance.