BMW 3 Series (330i) vs. Tesla Model 3 Review and Compare_ Which Drives Better?
What’s the best-driving compact luxury sedan? That’s what Carlos Lago seeks to find out in this quick comparison. Representing traditions, we have a 2019 BMW 3series, the newest generation of the model. Up for the challenge is our long-term 2017 Tesla Model 3. Tesla vs BMW, what a showdown.
The BMW is new, and the Tesla has over 20,000 miles on it. This comparison isn’t exactly fair. And that makes the conclusion all the more surprising. While the BMW certainly is a nice luxury car to drive, the Tesla provides more fun. Watch the video here.
2019 BMW 3 Series Review
The 2019 BMW series kicks off the model’s seventh-generation with mild design and structural changes. More important are the improvements in power, handling the technology. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine carries over from the last generation, but it gains slightly more horsepower and noticeably more low-end torque. The chassis is wider and stiffer. Which along with a retuned suspension, promises refinements to the 3 series’ already lauded handling performance. The new 3 series is slightly longer, which helps increase trunk space. The new model maintains the 3 series hallmark of interior comfort and quality with sporty, form-fitting seats, impressive touchscreen displays, and infotainment, and finer details such as ambient cabin lighting and oak, maple, and all ascents.
The 2019 BMW 330i comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine 255 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive All-wheel drive is optional. Standard features include 18-inch wheels, automatic wipers, a sunroof, simulated leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control. an n 8.8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, a USB input, and a 10-speaker audio system.
2017 Tesla Model 3
The 2017 Tesla model is a five-passenger sedan powered by a single electric motor that is fed by a long-racing lithium-ion battery pack. The total system output is 258 horsepower. A single-speed transmission drives the rear wheels, and its range is estimated at 310 miles. The Model 3 interior is dominated by a standard 15-inch touchscreen display mounted in the center of the dash.
The 2017 Tesla has the potential to ascend past all other non-Tesla EVs. With initial estimates for performance, its 310-mile range, and many high-tech features, the $50,000 price could very well be justified. In terms of size, the Tesla measures 184.8 inches long, 56.8 inches high, and 72.8 inches wide. That makes the Model 3 similar to the BMW 3 Series. There are 15 cubic feet of trunk space, again similar to what other entry-level luxury cars offer. Standard technology features include a 15-inch touchscreen, a navigation system with real-time traffic, voice activation, Bluetooth, a wi-fi hotspot, remote control of some systems via a smartphone app, a review camera, and a seven-speaker audio system with internet streaming radio and two USB ports. Standard safety features include forward collision warning and mitigation, blind-spot monitoring with collision avoidance, and lane departure warning.