Compare the2025 Acura TLXVS 2025 BMW 3 Series Sedan

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Acura TLX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Acura TLX 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.

The TLX’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 TLX 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 TLX has standard Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, helping the driver avoid collisions. BMW charges extra for Cross Traffic Warning on the 3 Series Sedan.

Both the TLX 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura TLX is safer than the BMW 3 Series Sedan:

	TLX	3 Series Sedan
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	143	145
Neck Injury Risk	20%	23%
Neck Stress	175 lbs.	207 lbs.
Neck Compression	27 lbs.	32 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 Acura TLX is safer than the BMW 3 Series Sedan:

	TLX	3 Series Sedan
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.8 inches	.8 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	181	305
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	484 lbs.	544 lbs.

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

Warranty

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the TLX 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.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the TLX’s reliability 11 points higher than the 3 Series Sedan.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.

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

Engine

The TLX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 17 more horsepower (272 vs. 255) than the 330i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the TLX Type S 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the 330i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

	TLX	3 Series Sedan
Zero to 60 MPH	5 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	13.5 sec	14.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	104.2 MPH	98.1 MPH

Motor Trend magazine performs a classic 0 to 100 MPH and back to 0 MPH performance test. The Acura TLX Type S completed this feat in only 17.4 seconds. It took the BMW 330i 18.6 seconds.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

The TLX has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the 3 Series Sedan 330e’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The TLX 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.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura TLX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 3 Series Sedan.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the TLX Type S’ brake rotors are larger than those on the 3 Series Sedan:

	TLX Type S	330i	M340i
Front Rotors	14.3 inches	13 inches	13.7 inches

The TLX stops much shorter than the 3 Series Sedan:

	TLX	3 Series Sedan
60 to 0 MPH	104 feet	114 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the TLX has larger tires than the 3 Series Sedan (255/35R20 vs. 225/45R18). The TLX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 3 Series Sedan (255/35R20 vs. 225/40R19).

The TLX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 330i’s standard 45 series tires. The TLX Type S’ tires have a lower 35 series profile than the 3 Series Sedan’s optional 40 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the 330i. The TLX Type S’ 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the 3 Series Sedan.

The TLX 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.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than on the 3 Series Sedan.

The TLX Type S handles at .96 G’s, while the 330i xDrive pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The TLX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the 330i xDrive (24.7 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 26.6 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

Chassis

The TLX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The TLX has .5 inches more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the 3 Series Sedan.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Acura 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With an 8% lower rating, BMW is ranked 13th.

Ergonomics

The TLX’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The TLX’s standard Smart Entry allow you to unlock the doors from either front 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 TLX’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the 3 Series Sedan’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Standard air-conditioned seats in the TLX A-Spec/Type S 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.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the TLX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the TLX will cost $225 to $8200 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 Acura TLX will be $2444 to $4833 less than for the BMW 3 Series Sedan.

Recommendations

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

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