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BMW M3 vs. Honda Civic

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW M3 and Honda Civic 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 M3 and the Honda Civic.

When comparing the BMW M3's and the Honda Civic's specifications and ratings, the BMW M3 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Honda Civic 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, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the BMW M3's and the Honda Civic's specifications and ratings, the Honda Civic is a better car than the BMW M3.

Pricing: A used 2024 BMW M3 ranges from $78,841 to $140,275 while a used 2024 Honda Civic is priced between $24,951 to $32,094. For a new model, the BMW M3's price is between $82,655 and $124,162, with the Honda Civic priced between $25,044 and $32,100.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW M3 loses 42.3 percent of its value and the Honda Civic loses 23.5 percent of its value. This means the Honda Civic retains 18.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW M3.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW M3 is 7.7 out of 10 while the Honda Civic's quality rating is 9.0 out of 10. This results in the BMW M3 being ranked 16 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the Honda Civic being ranked 5 out of 43 Best Small Cars.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW M3 is 7.5 out of 10. For the Honda Civic the reliability rating is 8.8 out of 10. This gives the Honda Civic an advantage in reliability compared to the BMW M3.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW M3’s base engine makes 473 horsepower, and the Honda Civic base engine makes 158 horsepower. The M3 is rated to deliver an average of 19 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 359 miles. The Civic is rated to deliver an average of 35 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 496 miles. This gives the Honda Civic the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW M3. The M3 uses premium unleaded, and the Civic uses regular unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Honda Civic has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The BMW M3 has the advantage in the areas of front head room and rear head room.

Safety Ratings: The Honda Civic has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Honda Civic has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.

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Model & Pricing
BMW M3
Honda Civic

2024 BMW M3
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BMW M3 for Sale

2024 Honda Civic Sedan
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Honda Civic for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$82,655 - $124,162

Starting MSRP:

$76,000

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:

$25,044 - $32,100

Starting MSRP:

$23,950

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

$26,555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

$17,795 - $45,665

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$100,522

Price Range:

$78,841 - $140,275

Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

$52,490

Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

$35,163 - $100,522

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

54

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

6,778

# Good or Great Deals:

11

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$27,777

Price Range:

$24,951 - $32,094

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$28,855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$19,171 - $47,673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

1,432

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

9,542

# Good or Great Deals:

393

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$33,315

Depreciation %:

43.8%

Resale Value $:

$42,685

Residual Value %:

56.2%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

48.9%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

33.5% - 53.5%

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$5,875

Depreciation %:

24.5%

Resale Value $:

$18,075

Residual Value %:

75.5%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

31.6%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

24.4% - 40.1%

BMW M3 Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

7.7 / 10

Reliability:

7.5 / 10

Retained Value:

7.9 / 10

Safety:

Not available

Honda Civic Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

9.0 / 10

Reliability:

8.8 / 10

Retained Value:

9.0 / 10

Safety:

9.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW M3

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

12.2

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:

1.5%

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Honda Civic

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

13

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

11.2

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

10.1 - 13.6

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

41.9%



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

5.9

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:

14.7

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2 - 18.8

BMW M3 Rankings

Best Manual Transmission Luxury Small Cars

1 / 3

Best Luxury Small Cars Under $80k

1 / 2

Luxury Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

3 / 36

Best Luxury Small Cars for Tall People

3 / 36

Luxury Small Cars with the Most Legroom

5 / 36

Most Comfortable Luxury Small Cars

8 / 36

Most Reliable Luxury Small Cars

12 / 36

Best Luxury Small Cars for the Money

12 / 12

Luxury Small Cars with Best Resale Value

13 / 36

Best Luxury Small Cars

16 / 36

Most Affordable Luxury Small Cars

29 / 31

Honda Civic Rankings

Most Reliable Small Cars

2 / 43

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

3 / 43

Best Small Cars Under $25k

3 / 13

Best Small Cars for Teens

3 / 5

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

4 / 43

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

4 / 21

Best Small Cars

5 / 43

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

5 / 43

Best Family Small Cars

6 / 43

Most Comfortable Small Cars

7 / 43

Best Small Cars for the Money

7 / 13

Best Small Cars for Tall People

12 / 43

Most Affordable Small Cars

14 / 24

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

17 / 43

Safest Small Cars

23 / 43

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Hatchback, Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

BMW M3 Trim Levels

Base, Competition, Competition xDrive, CS

Honda Civic Trim Levels

Not yet available

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:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

3 years / 36000 miles

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

Not yet available

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:

4 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:

TOP SAFETY PICK

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

473 hp @ 6250 rpm

Torque:

406 foot-lbs @ 2650 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.123 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

158 hp @ 6500 rpm

Torque:

138 foot-lbs @ 4200 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.055 hp per pound

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

3 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

6

Transmission:

Manual

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

RWD / AWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


16 / 23 / 19

Range (city/hwy):

250 / 359 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Premium Unleaded

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


31 / 40 / 35

Range (city/hwy):

384 / 496 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular 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

Parking Sensors:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wifi:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Automatic Parking:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Power Lift Gate:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Captain's seat:

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:

Available

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Heated Seats

Available

Internet Radio:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Available

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wifi:

N/A

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Power Lift Gate:

Standard

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Captain's seat:

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

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Lane Keeping Assist:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

40.6 inches

Front Leg Room:

41.6 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

56 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.8 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.6 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

54.6 inches

Cargo Space:

13 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

95.0 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

39.3 inches

Front Leg Room:

42.3 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

57 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.1 inches

Rear Leg Room:

37.4 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

56 inches

Cargo Space:

14.8 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

99.0 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3840 lbs

Width:

81.4 inches

Height:

56.4 inches

Length:

189.1 inches

Wheelbase:

112.5 inches

Ground Clearance:

4.7 inches

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2877 lbs

Width:

70.9 inches

Height:

55.7 inches

Length:

184 inches

Wheelbase:

107.7 inches

Ground Clearance:

Not yet available

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

18.0 x 9.5 inches

Wheel Type:

painted aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

275/40R18

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

16.0 x 7.0 inches

Wheel Type:

steel

Tire Size:

215/55R16

Exterior Colors

Black

Black Sapphire Metallic

Blue

Frozen Portimao Blue Metallic / Portimao Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic

Gray

Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dravit Grey Metallic / Frozen Pure Grey II Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic

Green

Isle of Man Green Metallic

Red

Aventurin Red Metallic / Toronto Red Metallic

White

Alpine White / Frozen Brilliant White Metallic

Yellow

Sao Paulo Yellow

Silver

Not available

Exterior Colors

Black

Crystal Black Pearl

Blue

Aegean Blue Metallic

Gray

Meteorite Gray Metallic

Green

Not available

Red

Rallye Red

White

Platinum White Pearl

Yellow

Not available

Silver

Lunar Silver Metallic

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Blue

Fjord Blue/Black / Yas Marina Blue/Black w/ Yellow Accent

Brown

Tartufo

Gray

Silverstone/Black

Orange

Kyalami Orange/Black

Red

Fiona Red/Black

White

Ivory White

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Blue

Not available

Brown

Not available

Gray

Gray

Orange

Not available

Red

Not available

White

Not available

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