BMW 3 Series vs. Hyundai SONATA
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW 3 Series and Hyundai SONATA 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 Hyundai SONATA.
In comparing the BMW 3 Series's and the Hyundai SONATA's specifications and ratings, the BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of reliability and base engine power. The Hyundai SONATA has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the BMW 3 Series's and the Hyundai SONATA's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai SONATA is a better car than the BMW 3 Series.
Pricing: For a new model, the BMW 3 Series's price is between $51,029 and $70,446, with the Hyundai SONATA priced between $29,102 and $37,801.
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 Hyundai SONATA loses 46.2 percent of its value. This means the Hyundai SONATA retains 5.2 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 7.7 out of 10 while the Hyundai SONATA's quality rating is 8.1 out of 10. This results in the BMW 3 Series being ranked 15 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the Hyundai SONATA being ranked 4 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW 3 Series is 7.3 out of 10. For the Hyundai SONATA the reliability rating is 7.1 out of 10. This gives the BMW 3 Series a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Hyundai SONATA.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW 3 Series’s base engine makes 255 horsepower, and the Hyundai SONATA base engine makes 191 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Hyundai SONATA, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room and rear shoulder room. The BMW 3 Series, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of rear leg room cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the BMW 3 Series and the Hyundai SONATA have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
51029 - 70446
Starting MSRP:
47500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
48679
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33400 - 78400
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
29102 - 37801
Starting MSRP:
27300
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
27345
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
27300 - 27390
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
53319
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
44192 - 62446
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
32511
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
32511 - 32511
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Hyundai SONATA Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 3 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
11.0
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.7
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
9.5 - 11.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.027
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai SONATA
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.036
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
5 out of / 36Ranking
10 out of / 36Ranking
11 out of / 36Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
15 out of / 36Ranking
16 out of / 32Ranking
19 out of / 36Ranking
20 out of / 36Ranking
20 out of / 36Hyundai SONATA Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 13Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive
Hyundai SONATA Trim Levels
N Line, SE, SEL Sport
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:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
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:
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
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
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque:
181 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
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
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
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
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
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
Overall Interior Volume:
94.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
46.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
104.4 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:
3232 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
193.3 inches
Wheelbase:
111.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 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:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/65R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Arctic Race Blue Metallic / Frozen Portimao Blue II Metallic / Frozen Tanzanite Blue Metallic / Portimao Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dravit Grey Metallic / Frozen Pure Grey II Metallic / Frozen Pure Grey Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Red
Vegas Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Abyss Black Pearl
Blue
Carbon Blue Pearl / Transmission Blue Pearl
Gray
Portofino Gray Metallic
Red
Ultimate Red Metallic
White
Serenity White Pearl
Silver
Aero 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
Brown
Not available
Gray
Dark Gray
Red
Not available
