Compare the2023 Honda Civic Type RVS 2023 BMW M3

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Honda Civic Type R 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 M3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Civic Type R deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Civic Type R’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The M3’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Civic Type R and the M3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

Honda’s powertrain warranty covers the Civic Type R 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the M3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the M3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Honda dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Civic Type R’s warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 7 places higher in reliability than BMW.

On the EPA test cycle the Civic Type R gets better mileage than the M3:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Civic Type R uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The M3 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Civic Type R 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 M3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Civic Type R’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the M3’s standard 40 series front and 35 series rear tires. The Civic Type R’s tires are lower profile than the M3’s optional 35 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Civic Type R has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch front wheels are standard on the M3.

The Civic Type R offers an available space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the M3; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Honda Civic Type R may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 800 pounds less than the BMW M3.

The Civic Type R is 8.2 inches shorter than the M3, making the Civic Type R easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Civic Type R a Large car, while the M3 is rated a Compact.

The Civic Type R has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the M3 (99 vs. 95).

The Civic Type R has .7 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the M3.

The Civic Type R’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The M3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Civic Type R has a standard rear wiper. The M3 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda Civic Type R has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. Wireless charging costs extra on the M3.

The Civic Type R was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2 of the last 5 years. The M3 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Civic Type R was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2018. The M3 has never been an “All Star.”

The Honda Civic outsold the BMW 3 Series by almost five to one during the 2022 model year.