BMW 3 Series vs. Lexus IS 200t
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW 3 Series and Lexus IS 200t 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 Lexus IS 200t.
In comparing the BMW 3 Series's and the Lexus IS 200t's specifications and ratings, the BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and interior volume. The Lexus IS 200t has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW 3 Series's and the Lexus IS 200t's specifications and ratings, the BMW 3 Series is a better car than the Lexus IS 200t.
Pricing: A used 2017 BMW 3 Series ranges from $9,995 to $26,196 while a used 2017 Lexus IS 200t is priced between $15,496 to $25,999.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW 3 Series’s base engine makes 180 horsepower, and the Lexus IS 200t base engine makes 241 horsepower. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 553 miles. The IS 200t is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 557 miles.This gives the BMW 3 Series the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Lexus IS 200t the advantage in maximum range. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW 3 Series has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Lexus IS 200t has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room and front leg 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:
-
Starting MSRP:
33450
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
39910
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
21065 - 64000
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
37825
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
16366
Price Range:
9995 - 26196
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
19811
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10604 - 45906
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
293
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
89850
# Good or Great Deals:
120
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
20919
Price Range:
15496 - 25999
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
92
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
99095
# Good or Great Deals:
42
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Lexus IS 200t Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 3 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.0
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
4.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.5 - 12.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.027
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus IS 200t
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.532224294691995
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.8 - 9.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.9543094767789373
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 35Ranking
6 out of / 35Ranking
9 out of / 35Ranking
9 out of / 30Ranking
10 out of / 35Ranking
11 out of / 35Ranking
14 out of / 35Ranking
14 out of / 30Ranking
16 out of / 35Ranking
17 out of / 35Ranking
20 out of / 35Ranking
23 out of / 35Lexus IS 200t Rankings
Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Diesel, Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
Not yet available
Lexus IS 200t Trim Levels
Base
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:
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:
4 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:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 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
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
180 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
200 foot-lbs @ 1250 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.053 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
241 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1650 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.067 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):
23 / 35 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
363 / 553 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
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 32 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 557 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
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
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
Power Lift Gate:
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
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
13 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
96.0 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3370 lbs
Width:
80 inches
Height:
56.3 inches
Length:
182.8 inches
Wheelbase:
110.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3583 lbs
Width:
79.8 inches
Height:
56.3 inches
Length:
184.3 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/50R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Imperial Blue Metallic / Mediterranean Blue Metallic
Brown
Jatoba Brown Metallic
Gray
Mineral Grey Metallic / Platinum Silver Metallic
Red
Melbourne Red Metallic
Silver
Glacier Silver Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Exterior Colors
Black
Caviar / Obsidian
Blue
Nightfall Mica / Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0
Brown
Not available
Gray
Nebula Gray Pearl
Red
Redline
Silver
Atomic Silver / Silver Lining Metallic
White
Eminent White Pearl / Ultra White
Interior Colors
Beige
Venetian Beige/Black
Black
Black
Gray
Oyster
Brown
Not available
Red
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Chateau w/Gray Sapele Wood Trim / Chateau w/Illustrious Piano Black Trim / Chateau w/Silver Performance Trim
Black
Black w/Gray Sapele Wood Trim / Black w/Illustrious Piano Black Trim / Black w/Silver Performance Trim / Nuance Black w/Illustrious Piano Black Trim
Gray
Not available
Brown
Flaxen w/Gray Sapele Wood Trim / Flaxen w/Illustrious Piano Black Trim
Red
Rioja Red w/Silver Performance Trim
