Compare the2023 BMW 330eVS 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
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 Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW 330e 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 Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the 330e and the Corolla Hybrid 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, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The BMW 330e weighs 1233 to 1330 pounds more than the Toyota Corolla Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

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 Corolla Hybrid:

	330e	Corolla Hybrid
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	145	187
Neck Injury Risk	23%	27%
Neck Stress	207 lbs.	243 lbs.
Neck Compression	32 lbs.	50 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	201/230 lbs.	330/310 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	252	356
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Compression	74 lbs.	86 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 Corolla Hybrid:

	330e	Corolla Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.8 inches	.9 inches
Hip Force	252 lbs.	330 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	544 lbs.	623 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 Corolla 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 Corolla 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 Corolla Hybrid (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

Reliability

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 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 154 more horsepower (288 vs. 134) and 154 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 156) than the Corolla Hybrid’s 1.8 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPGe
330e
	RWD	Electric Motor	72 city/80 hwy
	AWD	Electric Motor	64 city/71 hwy
Corolla Hybrid
			MPG
	FWD	1.8 4-cyl. Hybrid	50 city/43 hwy
	AWD	1.8 4-cyl. Hybrid	47 city/41 hwy

The 330e can travel with zero emissions for 20 to 23 miles (dependent on model). The Corolla 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 Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	330e	330e	Corolla Hybrid
Front Rotors	13 inches	13.7 inches	10.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.6 inches	10.2 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 Corolla Hybrid are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 330e has larger standard tires than the Corolla Hybrid (225/45R18 vs. 205/55R16).

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 Corolla Hybrid’s standard 55 series tires. The 330e’s optional 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Corolla Hybrid SE’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 Corolla Hybrid. The 330e’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Corolla Hybrid SE.

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 Corolla 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 Corolla 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 Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 330e’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the Corolla Hybrid (112.2 inches vs. 106.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 330e is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Corolla Hybrid.

Chassis

The design of the BMW 330e amounts to more than styling. The 330e has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .26 Cd. That is lower than the Corolla Hybrid (.28) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the 330e get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 330e a Compact car, while the Corolla Hybrid is rated a Subcompact.

The 330e has 5.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Corolla Hybrid (94 vs. 88.6).

The 330e has .4 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, .4 inches more rear legroom and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

The 330e has a much larger trunk than the Corolla Hybrid (13.2 vs. 11.3 cubic feet).

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 Corolla Hybrid’s useful trunk space.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 330e’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Corolla 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 Corolla Hybrid’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the 330e. The Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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 Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer a power trunk.

Servicing Ease

The 330e uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Corolla Hybrid uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the 330e is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Corolla 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 Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The 330e 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 Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 Corolla Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the 330e has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights. The 330e also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The 330e’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Toyota charges extra for heated mirrors on the Corolla Hybrid.

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 Corolla 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 Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

Both the 330e and the Corolla 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 Corolla Hybrid.

On extremely cold winter days, the 330e’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The 330e’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the 330e and the Corolla 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 Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.