2020 BMW 3 Series vs. 2021 BMW 3 Series
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2020 BMW 3 Series and 2021 BMW 3 Series contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2020 BMW 3 Series and the 2021 BMW 3 Series.
In comparing the 2020 BMW 3 Series's and the 2021 BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the 2020 BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency, resale value and overall quality score. The 2021 BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The 2020 BMW 3 Series and 2021 BMW 3 Series have the same interior volume Based on this comparison of the 2020 BMW 3 Series's and the 2021 BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the 2020 BMW 3 Series is a better car than the 2021 BMW 3 Series.
Pricing: A used 2020 BMW 3 Series ranges from $18,490 to $42,999 while a used 2021 BMW 3 Series is priced between $21,944 to $32,979.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2020 BMW 3 Series loses 51.4 percent of its value and the 2021 BMW 3 Series loses 53.7 percent of its value. This means the 2020 BMW 3 Series retains 2.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2021 BMW 3 Series.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW 3 Series is 7.7 out of 10 while the BMW 3 Series' quality rating is 7.5 out of 10. BMW 3 Series is ranked 16 out of 35 Best Luxury Small Cars based on its reliability, retained value, and safety ratings.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars' Reliability Rating for the BMW 3 Series is 7.3 out of 10.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2020 BMW 3 Series’s base engine makes 255 horsepower, and the 2021 BMW 3 Series base engine makes 288 horsepower. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 562 miles. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 372 miles. This gives the 2020 BMW 3 Series the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2021 BMW 3 Series. The 3 Series uses premium unleaded, and the 3 Series uses electricity, premium unleaded.
Safety Ratings: The BMW 3 Series has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
40750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
41892
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
25900 - 53950
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
44550
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
51950
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
44550 - 67300
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
28302
Price Range:
18490 - 42999
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
28861
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
21549 - 40914
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
367
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
71210
# Good or Great Deals:
151
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
27696
Price Range:
21944 - 32979
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
27971
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
26664 - 29554
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
504
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
61503
# Good or Great Deals:
228
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2020 BMW 3 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.0
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
4.5 - 15.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.027
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 BMW 3 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
31.53767565406809
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.9 - 31.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
27.581354473314278
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
4.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
3.5 - 27.6
BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 35Ranking
6 out of / 35Ranking
9 out of / 35Ranking
9 out of / 30Ranking
10 out of / 35Ranking
11 out of / 35Ranking
14 out of / 35Ranking
14 out of / 30Ranking
16 out of / 35Ranking
17 out of / 35Ranking
20 out of / 35Ranking
23 out of / 35BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
8 out of / 35Ranking
8 out of / 35Ranking
8 out of / 26Ranking
12 out of / 26Ranking
12 out of / 26Ranking
12 out of / 26Ranking
13 out of / 26Ranking
16 out of / 35Ranking
17 out of / 35Ranking
17 out of / 35Ranking
20 out of / 35Ranking
25 out of / 26Ranking
32 out of / 35Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
2020 BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive
2021 BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
330e, 330e xDrive
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1550 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.071 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
288 hp @ 3800 rpm
Torque:
310 foot-lbs @ 1450 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.071 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 36 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
406 / 562 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 33 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
287 / 372 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.6 inches
Cargo Space:
13 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
94.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.6 inches
Cargo Space:
9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
94.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3589 lbs
Width:
81.4 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
185.7 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4039 lbs
Width:
81.4 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
185.7 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic / Mediterranean Blue Metallic / Portimao Blue Metallic
Brown
Vermont Bronze Metallic
Gray
Mineral Grey Metallic
Orange
Sunset Orange Metallic
Red
Melbourne Red Metallic
Silver
Glacier Silver Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic / Mediterranean Blue Metallic / Phytonic Blue Metallic / Portimao Blue Metallic
Brown
Not available
Gray
Mineral Grey Metallic
Orange
Sunset Orange Metallic
Red
Melbourne Red Metallic
Silver
Glacier Silver Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Canberra Beige / Canberra Beige/Black w/ Contrast Stitching
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Stitching / Black w/ Contrast Stitching / Black w/ Decor Stitching
Brown
Cognac w/ Contrast Stitching / Mocha w/ Contrast Stitching
Gray
Oyster w/ Decor Stitching
Interior Colors
Beige
Canberra Beige / Canberra Beige/Black w/ Contrast Stitching
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Stitching / Black w/ Decor Stitching / Black w/ Oyster Contrast Stitching
Brown
Cognac w/ Contrast Stitching / Mocha w/ Contrast Stitching
Gray
Oyster w/ Contrast Stitching
