Compare the2025 Cadillac CT4VS 2024 BMW 3 Series Sedan

Both the CT4 and 3 Series Sedan have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The CT4 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The 3 Series Sedan’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The CT4’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the 3 Series Sedan.

The CT4 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the 3 Series Sedan’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CT4 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. BMW charges extra for Cross Traffic Warning on the 3 Series Sedan.

Both the CT4 and the 3 Series Sedan 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the CT4 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 3 Series Sedan. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the 3 Series Sedan ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 62 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CT4’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the CT4 second among compact premium cars in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The 3 Series Sedan was rated third.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac CT4 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the 330i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CT4’s fuel efficiency. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CT4 has 6.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the 3 Series Sedan 330e’s standard fuel tank (17.5 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CT4 has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the 3 Series Sedan’s standard fuel tank (17.5 vs. 15.6 gallons).

The CT4 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.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac CT4 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 3 Series Sedan.

The CT4 stops shorter than the 3 Series Sedan:

For better traction, the CT4 Premium Luxury’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 3 Series Sedan (235/40R18 vs. 225/40R19).

The CT4’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 3 Series Sedan’s optional 40 series front tires.

The CT4 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the CT4’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the 3 Series Sedan’s (37.1 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The CT4 AWD’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the 3 Series Sedan’s (38 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The CT4 has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The 3 Series Sedan has no towing capacity.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 21% lower rating, BMW is ranked 13th.

The CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard easy entry system 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.

The CT4’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Go standard on the 3 Series Sedan only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

Consumer Reports rated the CT4’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the 3 Series Sedan’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Optional air-conditioned seats in the CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport 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.

The CT4 Sport offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 3 Series Sedan.

Insurance will cost less for the CT4 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CT4 will cost $605 less than the 3 Series Sedan over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Cadillac CT4 will be $5749 to $22455 less than for the BMW 3 Series Sedan.