2021 Lexus IS 300 vs. 2021 BMW 3 Series
When we compare the 2021 Lexus IS 300's and the 2021 BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Lexus IS 300 has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value and overall quality score. The 2021 BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2021 Lexus IS 300's and the 2021 BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the 2021 BMW 3 Series is a better car than the 2021 Lexus IS 300.
2021 Lexus IS 300 vs. 2021 BMW 3 Series Pricing
A used 2021 Lexus IS 300 ranges from $30,740 to $38,999 while a used 2021 BMW 3 Series is priced between $28,168 to $51,493.
2021 Lexus IS 300 vs. 2021 BMW 3 Series Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2021 Lexus IS 300 loses 40.3 percent of its value and the 2021 BMW 3 Series loses 52.3 percent of its value. This means the 2021 Lexus IS 300 retains 11.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2021 BMW 3 Series.
2021 Lexus IS 300 vs. 2021 BMW 3 Series Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Lexus IS 300 is 9.2 out of 10 while the BMW 3 Series' quality rating is 8.7 out of 10. This results in the Lexus IS 300 being ranked 2 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the BMW 3 Series being ranked 6 out of 36. Out of 30 Best Luxury Compact Cars, the Lexus IS 300 is ranked 2 and the BMW 3 Series is ranked 6.
2021 Lexus IS 300 vs. 2021 BMW 3 Series Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Lexus IS 300 is 8.7 out of 10. For the BMW 3 Series the reliability rating is 8.4 out of 10. This gives the Lexus IS 300 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW 3 Series.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the 2021 Lexus IS 300’s base engine makes 241 horsepower, and the 2021 BMW 3 Series base engine makes 255 horsepower. The IS 300 is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 539 miles. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 562 miles. This gives the 2021 BMW 3 Series the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2021 Lexus IS 300. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
While both models are compact cars, the 2021 BMW 3 Series has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The 2021 Lexus IS 300 has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the 2021 Lexus IS 300 and the 2021 BMW 3 Series have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
30740 - 38999
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.403418
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
28168 - 51493
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.522554
Lexus IS 300 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
9.202163 / 10
Reliability:
8.70649 / 10
Retained Value:
8.9 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.686143 / 10
Reliability:
8.358429 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Lexus IS 300 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 36Ranking
2 out of / 36Ranking
2 out of / 30Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
2 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 8Ranking
4 out of / 36Ranking
4 out of / 30Ranking
5 out of / 30Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
6 out of / 31Ranking
7 out of / 36Ranking
16 out of / 30Ranking
18 out of / 36Ranking
26 out of / 30Ranking
31 out of / 36BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 21Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 30Ranking
6 out of / 10Ranking
9 out of / 30Ranking
10 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 26Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
15 out of / 30Ranking
17 out of / 36Ranking
25 out of / 30Ranking
31 out of / 36Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
2021 Lexus IS 300 Trim Levels
Base
2021 BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 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
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
241 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1650 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.065 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1550 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):
21 / 31 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
365 / 539 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):
26 / 36 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
406 / 562 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
32.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.4 inches
Cargo Space:
10.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
90.2 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:
13 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
94.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3715 lbs
Width:
72.4 inches
Height:
56.5 inches
Length:
185.4 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3589 lbs
Width:
81.4 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
185.7 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18