BMW 3 Series vs. BMW X1
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW 3 Series and BMW X1 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 BMW 3 Series and the BMW X1.
In comparing the BMW 3 Series's and the BMW X1's specifications and ratings, the BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability, overall quality score and base engine power. The BMW X1 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. Based on this comparison of the BMW 3 Series's and the BMW X1's specifications and ratings, the BMW 3 Series is a better car than the BMW X1.
Pricing: A used 2024 BMW 3 Series ranges from $42,839 to $64,993 while a used 2024 BMW X1 is priced between $40,467 to $56,873. For a new model, the BMW 3 Series's price is between $47,938 and $68,399, with the BMW X1 priced between $43,893 and $57,593.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW 3 Series loses 50.1 percent of its value and the BMW X1 loses 44.6 percent of its value. This means the BMW X1 retains 5.6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW 3 Series.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW 3 Series is 8.6 out of 10 while the BMW X1's quality rating is 7.9 out of 10. This results in the BMW 3 Series being ranked 3 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the BMW X1 being ranked 3 out of 13 Best Luxury Subcompact SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW 3 Series is 8.4 out of 10. For the BMW X1 the reliability rating is 7.2 out of 10. This gives the BMW 3 Series an advantage in reliability compared to the BMW X1.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW 3 Series’s base engine makes 255 horsepower, and the BMW X1 base engine makes 241 horsepower. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 530 miles. The X1 is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 486 miles. This gives the BMW 3 Series the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW X1. Both models use premium unleaded.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the BMW 3 Series has higher safety ratings than the BMW X1, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.88 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the BMW X1 has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$47,938 - $68,399
Starting MSRP:
$44,500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$48,375
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$31,800 - $79,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$43,893 - $57,593
Starting MSRP:
$40,500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$40,572
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$25,600 - $49,900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$50,648
Price Range:
$42,839 - $64,993
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$52,490
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$35,163 - $100,522
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
841
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
14,373
# Good or Great Deals:
221
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$47,113
Price Range:
$40,467 - $56,873
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$45,794
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$28,730 - $58,418
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
560
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
10,751
# Good or Great Deals:
148
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$22,483
Depreciation %:
50.5%
Resale Value $:
$22,017
Residual Value %:
49.5%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
48.9%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33.5% - 53.5%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$18,450
Depreciation %:
45.6%
Resale Value $:
$22,050
Residual Value %:
54.4%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
46.1%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
43% - 50.6%
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
BMW X1 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.9 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
8.9 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 3 Series
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.4
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
8.1 - 14.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
12.5%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW X1
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.4
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
11.8
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
11.1 - 12.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
4.1%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
10.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.2 - 14.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
1.3 - 6.2
BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 12Ranking
10 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
18 out of / 36Ranking
30 out of / 36BMW X1 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 9Ranking
5 out of / 6Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 59Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
14 out of / 68Ranking
14 out of / 68Ranking
16 out of / 68Ranking
21 out of / 68Ranking
21 out of / 68Ranking
29 out of / 68Ranking
32 out of / 68Ranking
33 out of / 68Ranking
40 out of / 68Ranking
59 out of / 68Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive
BMW X1 Trim Levels
M35i, xDrive28i
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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.88 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1550 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.072 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
241 hp @ 4500 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.064 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
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 / 34 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
390 / 530 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:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 34 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
358 / 486 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
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
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
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
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
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
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
94.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
25.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
46.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3536 lbs
Width:
81.4 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
185.9 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.6 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3750 lbs
Width:
82.8 inches
Height:
64.6 inches
Length:
177.2 inches
Wheelbase:
106 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.1 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:
225/55R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Phytonic Blue Metallic / Portimao Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dravit Grey Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Red
Melbourne Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Green
Not available
Orange
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Blue Bay Lagoon Metallic / Phytonic Blue Metallic / Portimao Blue Metallic
Gray
Frozen Pure Grey Metallic / Storm Bay Metallic
Red
Not available
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Green
Cape York Green Metallic / San Remo Green Metallic
Orange
Utah Orange Metallic
Silver
Space Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Canberra Beige
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Stitching
Brown
Cognac / Mocha
Gray
Oyster
Red
Tacora Red
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Sititching
Brown
Mocha
Gray
Oyster
Red
Red/Black
