BMW 3 Series vs. Cadillac CTS
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW 3 Series and Cadillac CTS 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 Cadillac CTS.
When we compare the BMW 3 Series's and the Cadillac CTS's specifications and ratings, the BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value and overall quality score. The Cadillac CTS has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW 3 Series's and the Cadillac CTS's specifications and ratings, the BMW 3 Series is a better car than the Cadillac CTS.
Pricing: A used 2019 BMW 3 Series ranges from $21,304 to $30,900 while a used 2019 Cadillac CTS is priced between $19,499 to $32,600.
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 Cadillac CTS loses 57 percent of its value. This means the BMW 3 Series retains 6.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Cadillac CTS.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW 3 Series is 8.6 out of 10 while the Cadillac CTS's quality rating is 8.3 out of 10. This results in the BMW 3 Series being ranked 3 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the Cadillac CTS being ranked 8 out of 29 Best Luxury Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW 3 Series is 8.4 out of 10. For the Cadillac CTS the reliability rating is 7.9 out of 10. This gives the BMW 3 Series a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Cadillac CTS.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW 3 Series’s base engine makes 255 horsepower, and the Cadillac CTS base engine makes 268 horsepower. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 562 miles. The CTS is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 570 miles.This gives the BMW 3 Series the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Cadillac CTS the advantage in maximum range. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Cadillac CTS has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The BMW 3 Series, a compact car, has the advantage in the area of rear head room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the BMW 3 Series and the Cadillac CTS have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$40,250
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$42,984
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$25,900 - $74,200
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$46,995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$60,362
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$25,070 - $121,400
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$26,099
Price Range:
$21,304 - $30,900
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$29,968
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$21,546 - $52,107
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
192
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
59,512
# Good or Great Deals:
85
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$25,957
Price Range:
$19,499 - $32,600
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$36,628
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$20,448 - $72,699
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
116
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
63,982
# Good or Great Deals:
53
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Cadillac CTS Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
6.9 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 3 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
5.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.1 - 9.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
12.5%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Cadillac CTS
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
6.5
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
3 - 9.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
4.3%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
17.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.9 - 22.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
2.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.6 - 17.8
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 / 36Cadillac CTS Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
5 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
10 out of / 29Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
24 out of / 29Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
Not yet available
Cadillac CTS Trim Levels
2.0T, 2.0T Luxury, 3.6L Luxury, 3.6L Premium Luxury, 3.6L TT Vsport, 3.6L TT Vsport Premium Luxury
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:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
6 years / 70000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
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
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:
268 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 3000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.073 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):
22 / 30 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
418 / 570 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
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
Apple CarPlay:
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
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:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
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
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
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:
40.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
45.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Cargo Space:
13.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
97.0 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:
3652 lbs
Width:
80.8 inches
Height:
57.2 inches
Length:
195.5 inches
Wheelbase:
114.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
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:
17.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/45R17
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 Raven / Stellar Black Metallic
Blue
Dark Adriatic Blue Metallic
Brown
Not available
Gray
Satin Steel Metallic
Orange
Not available
Red
Red Obsession Tintcoat
Silver
Radiant Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Tricoat
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
Silver
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Jet Black w/Jet Black Accents
Brown
Not available
Gray
Light Platinum w/Jet Black Accents
Silver
Light Platinum w/Jet Black Accents