Volkswagen Arteon vs. BMW 3 Series
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Volkswagen Arteon 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 Volkswagen Arteon and the BMW 3 Series.
When comparing the Volkswagen Arteon's and the BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Arteon has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, resale value, interior volume and base engine power. The BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Arteon's and the BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Arteon is a better car than the BMW 3 Series.
Pricing: A used 2023 Volkswagen Arteon ranges from $27,413 to $45,243 while a used 2023 BMW 3 Series is priced between $31,415 to $57,500. For a new model, the Volkswagen Arteon's price is between $42,133 and $52,967, with the BMW 3 Series priced between $47,588 and $67,821.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Volkswagen Arteon loses 49.5 percent of its value and the BMW 3 Series loses 51.4 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Arteon retains 1.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW 3 Series.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Volkswagen Arteon’s base engine makes 300 horsepower, and the BMW 3 Series base engine makes 255 horsepower. The Arteon is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 574 miles. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 530 miles.This gives the BMW 3 Series the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Volkswagen Arteon the advantage in maximum range. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Volkswagen Arteon, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The BMW 3 Series, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front leg room and rear head 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:
42133 - 52967
Starting MSRP:
43010
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
28753
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
24395 - 43010
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
47588 - 67821
Starting MSRP:
43800
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
47499
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
31300 - 78200
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
34067
Price Range:
27413 - 45243
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
25936
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
18612 - 36529
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
84
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
31362
# Good or Great Deals:
6
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
41552
Price Range:
31415 - 57500
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
42900
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
25084 - 84517
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
832
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
33388
# Good or Great Deals:
182
Volkswagen Arteon Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Arteon
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
9.4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
5.8 - 11.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 3 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
9.0
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
7.5 - 18.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.027
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.214890211875108
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.1 - 17.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
16.54010696185943
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.1 - 16.5
Volkswagen Arteon Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
2 out of / 11Ranking
3 out of / 11Ranking
10 out of / 11Ranking
10 out of / 11Ranking
11 out of / 11BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 35Ranking
7 out of / 35Ranking
8 out of / 35Ranking
9 out of / 35Ranking
9 out of / 30Ranking
12 out of / 35Ranking
14 out of / 35Ranking
14 out of / 35Ranking
15 out of / 35Ranking
15 out of / 30Ranking
21 out of / 35Ranking
21 out of / 35Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Volkswagen Arteon Trim Levels
SE R-Line, SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion, SEL R-Line 4Motion
BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 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
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 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
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 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:
300 hp @ 5350 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 3600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.082 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1550 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.072 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 33 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
435 / 574 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):
25 / 34 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
390 / 530 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
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
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
37 inches
Rear Leg Room:
40.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.7 inches
Cargo Space:
27.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
95.5 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3677 lbs
Width:
73.7 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
191.5 inches
Wheelbase:
111.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3536 lbs
Width:
81.4 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
185.9 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Kingfisher Blue Metallic
Gray
Moonstone Gray
Red
Kings Red Metallic
White
Opal White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Phytonic Blue Metallic / Portimao Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dravit Grey Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Red
Melbourne Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black / Titan Black/Moonrock Gray
Beige
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Stitching
Beige
Canberra Beige
Brown
Cognac / Mocha
Gray
Oyster
Red
Tacora Red
