Compare the2025 Mazda 3VS 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mazda 3 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 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mazda 3 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 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Mazda 3 has standard Whiplash Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Mazda 3 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking on the Turbo Premium Plus automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. BMW charges extra for Cross Traffic Warning on the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

Both the Mazda 3 and the 2 Series Gran Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Mazda 3 Sedan has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The 2 Series Gran Coupe has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the 3 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 2 Series Gran Coupe. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 2 Series Gran Coupe ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 55 percent more Mazda dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 3’s warranty.

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 Mazda 3’s reliability 18 points higher than the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 2 places higher in reliability than BMW.

The Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 295) than the M235’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Mazda 3 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda 3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The M235 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda 3 higher (7 out of 10) than the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (3 to 7). This means the Mazda 3 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 2 Series Gran Coupe every 15,000 miles.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mazda 3’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the 2 Series Gran Coupe (107.3 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Mazda 3’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Mazda 3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 450 pounds less than the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The Mazda 3 Sedan is 3.6 inches shorter than the 2 Series Gran Coupe, making the Mazda 3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Mazda 3 Sedan has a much larger trunk than the 2 Series Gran Coupe (13.2 vs. 12 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Mazda 3 Premium Hatchback has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a power trunk.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Mazda 3 Premium has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Mazda 3 has standard extendable sun visors. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Mazda 3 comes in sedan and four door hatchback bodystyles; the BMW 2 Series Gran isn’t available as a four door hatchback.

The Mazda 3 has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The Mazda 3 outsold the BMW 2 Series by over two to one during 2024.