Compare the2025 Toyota GR CorollaVS 2024 BMW M3

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota GR Corolla 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.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the GR Corolla are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The M3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GR Corolla. But it costs extra on the M3.

Both the GR Corolla and the M3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the GR Corolla 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 almost 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GR Corolla’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 43 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. BMW is ranked 9th.

On the EPA test cycle the GR Corolla gets better mileage than the M3:

The GR Corolla stops shorter than the M3:

For better maneuverability, the GR Corolla’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the M3’s (36.1 feet vs. 40 feet). The GR Corolla’s turning circle is 5.2 feet tighter than the M3 xDrive’s (36.1 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

The Toyota GR Corolla may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 700 pounds less than the BMW M3.

The GR Corolla is 1 foot, 3.5 inches shorter than the M3, making the GR Corolla easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the GR Corolla is quieter than the M3 Competition (80 vs. 86 dB).

The GR Corolla’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 GR Corolla has a standard rear wiper. The M3 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Insurance will cost less for the GR Corolla owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the GR Corolla will cost $2550 to $8185 less than the M3 over a five-year period.

The GR Corolla will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the GR Corolla will retain 57.74% to 59.52% of its original price after five years, while the M3 only retains 54.52% to 54.54%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota GR Corolla will be $34322 to $41617 less than for the BMW M3.

The GR Corolla was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The M3 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.