Ford Focus vs. BMW 3 Series
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford Focus and BMW 3 Series 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 Ford Focus and the BMW 3 Series.
When comparing the Ford Focus's and the BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the Ford Focus has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. The Ford Focus and BMW 3 Series have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Ford Focus's and the BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the BMW 3 Series is a better car than the Ford Focus.
Pricing: A used 2018 Ford Focus ranges from $7,995 to $16,818 while a used 2018 BMW 3 Series is priced between $14,989 to $31,989.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Ford Focus’s base engine makes 160 horsepower, and the BMW 3 Series base engine makes 180 horsepower. The Focus is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 422 miles. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 553 miles. This gives the BMW 3 Series the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Ford Focus. The Focus uses regular unleaded, and the 3 Series uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW 3 Series has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Ford Focus has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, and cargo space.
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:
$17,950
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$20,571
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$14,395 - $39,785
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$34,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$42,046
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$28,100 - $66,500
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$12,435
Price Range:
$7,995 - $16,818
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$17,195
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$9,985 - $30,573
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
554
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
78,010
# Good or Great Deals:
209
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$21,466
Price Range:
$14,989 - $31,989
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$26,145
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$18,855 - $53,876
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
384
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
70,956
# Good or Great Deals:
167
Ford Focus Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Focus
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
5.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
3.1 - 8.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
1.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 3 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
5.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.1 - 8.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
12.5%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.5 - 16.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
14.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.4 - 14.4
Ford Focus Rankings
Not yet available
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 / 36Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric, Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Diesel, Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Ford Focus Trim Levels
Not yet available
BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
Not yet available
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
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):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 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:
4 out of 5 Stars
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:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
160 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
146 foot-lbs @ 4450 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
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
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 34 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
310 / 422 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular 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):
24 / 35 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
379 / 553 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
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
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
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
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree 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
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree 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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
38 inches
Rear Leg Room:
33.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.6 inches
Cargo Space:
13.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
90.0 cubic feet
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:
96.2 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2928 lbs
Width:
80.5 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
178.7 inches
Wheelbase:
104.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3370 lbs
Width:
80 inches
Height:
56.3 inches
Length:
182.8 inches
Wheelbase:
110.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 5.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/50R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Shadow Black
Gray
Magnetic
Silver
Ingot Silver
White
Oxford White
Blue
Not available
Brown
Not available
Orange
Not available
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Gray
Mineral Grey Metallic / Platinum Silver Metallic
Silver
Glacier Silver Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Blue
Mediterranean Blue Metallic
Brown
Jatoba Brown Metallic
Orange
Sunset Orange Metallic
Red
Melbourne Red Metallic
Interior Colors
Gray
Charcoal Black
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Gray
Oyster
Beige
Venetian Beige/Black
Black
Black