BMW 3 Series vs. BMW X4
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW 3 Series and BMW X4 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 X4.
In comparing the BMW 3 Series's and the BMW X4's specifications and ratings, the BMW 3 Series 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 fuel efficiency, resale value and base engine power. The BMW X4 has the advantage in the area of interior volume. Based on this comparison of the BMW 3 Series's and the BMW X4's specifications and ratings, the BMW 3 Series is a better car than the BMW X4.
Pricing: A used 2025 BMW 3 Series ranges from $38,998 to $61,980 while a used 2025 BMW X4 is priced between $49,337 to $66,736. For a new model, the BMW 3 Series's price is between $49,425 and $69,475, with the BMW X4 priced between $59,825 and $76,185.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW 3 Series loses 51.4 percent of its value and the BMW X4 loses 53.3 percent of its value. This means the BMW 3 Series retains 1.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW X4.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW 3 Series’s base engine makes 255 horsepower, and the BMW X4 base engine makes 248 horsepower. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 546 miles. The X4 is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 464 miles. This gives the BMW 3 Series the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW X4. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW X4, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The BMW 3 Series, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front leg room and rear head room.
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:
49425 - 69475
Starting MSRP:
45950
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
49451
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33000 - 79900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
59825 - 76185
Starting MSRP:
55300
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
49635
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
23800 - 79100
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
48859
Price Range:
38998 - 61980
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
51959
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
34107 - 95081
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
56836
Price Range:
49337 - 66736
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
51781
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
25863 - 81247
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.51356376
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.34749831 - 0.55942423
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
29662
Depreciation %:
0.53639122
Resale Value $:
25638
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.53712559
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.38326835 - 0.59140478
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
BMW X4 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 3 Series
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.0
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
11.0
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
9.5 - 20.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.027
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW X4
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
14.6
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
14.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
12.0 - 16.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.179
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
7.040631536476573
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.5 - 10.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
11.423343534208126
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.8 - 54.4
BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 35Ranking
7 out of / 35Ranking
8 out of / 35Ranking
9 out of / 35Ranking
9 out of / 30Ranking
12 out of / 35Ranking
14 out of / 35Ranking
14 out of / 35Ranking
15 out of / 35Ranking
15 out of / 30Ranking
21 out of / 35Ranking
21 out of / 35BMW X4 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 26Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 28Ranking
8 out of / 68Ranking
8 out of / 28Ranking
9 out of / 28Ranking
13 out of / 28Ranking
15 out of / 28Ranking
15 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 68Ranking
20 out of / 26Ranking
22 out of / 68Ranking
22 out of / 68Ranking
23 out of / 68Ranking
23 out of / 28Ranking
23 out of / 28Ranking
30 out of / 68Ranking
35 out of / 60Ranking
39 out of / 68Ranking
39 out of / 68Ranking
55 out of / 68Ranking
57 out of / 68Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive
BMW X4 Trim Levels
M40i, xDrive30i
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:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
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 @ 4700 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.070 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
248 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1450 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 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):
28 / 35 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
437 / 546 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):
21 / 27 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
361 / 464 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
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
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
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
Heated Seats
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
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
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:
16.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
94.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Cargo Space:
18.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
50.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
116.3 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3644 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:
4178 lbs
Width:
84.2 inches
Height:
63.8 inches
Length:
187.6 inches
Wheelbase:
112.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
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:
19.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/50R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Arctic Race Blue Metallic / Frozen Portimao Blue II Metallic / Portimao Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dravit Grey Metallic / Frozen Pure Grey Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Red
Vegas Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Carbon Black Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Phytonic Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dark Graphite Metallic
Red
Aventurin Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Canberra Beige
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Stitching
Brown
Cognac / Mocha
Gray
Oyster
Red
Tacora Red
Interior Colors
Beige
Canberra Beige
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Stitching / Black w/ Red Contrast Stitching
Brown
Cognac / Cognac w/ Contrast Stitching / Mocha
Gray
Oyster
Red
Tacora Red
