2013 BMW 3-Series vs. Its Competition
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The 2013 BMW 3-Series faces its most direct challenge this year from an unlikely rival: General Motors.
The all-new Cadillac ATS offers steering and handling, as well as overall performance, that's right on par with the 3-Series—although the base 328i is a bit more fun to drive than the base ATS.
The rest of the sedans in this class each have some pretty significant flaws.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has also gone four-cylinder, but its 201-horsepower, 1.8-liter engine in the C250 isn’t quite a substitute for a six-cylinder engine the way that the 328i’s 240-hp engine is.
The Lexus IS has one of the oldest designs among compact sport sedans; it’s not at all competitive in IS 250 guise, but the IS 350 can be quite enjoyable to drive.
The IS ride and handling aren't nearly as fine-tuned as in the 3-Series, though.
The Audi A4 has a strong, economical base powertrain in its current 2.0T form, and its handling is tuned to target the 3-Series, but it doesn’t offer nearly the tech options you can find in the BMW.
Infiniti’s G37 drives like a sports coupe and has excellent steering and handling, but it’s the harshest offering in this class and lacks luxury-car refinement.
 2013 BMW 3-SeriesGet FREE Price Quote |  2013 Audi A4Get FREE Price Quote |  2013 Cadillac ATSGet FREE Price Quote |  2013 Infiniti G37 SedanGet FREE Price Quote |  2013 Lexus IS 350Get FREE Price Quote |  2013 Mercedes-Benz C ClassGet FREE Price Quote |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
| Meta Rating | |||||
The 2013 BMW 3-Series is safe, fuel-efficient, and well-connected, yet it delivers the class-leading performance and handling that enthusiasts have come to expect. | Magnificent design and technology sets the Audi A4 apart, but it's not quite as sporty as its BMW and Cadillac competition. | With unerring focus on handling, Cadillac finally has the 3-Series' number with the 2013 ATS. | The 2013 Infiniti G37 offers some of the sensory thrills of a sports car, in a more practical sedan body style, although it's not as refined as other premium-brand alternatives. | The 2013 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350 look like exciting sport sedans--especially in F Sport guise--though they're not as fun to drive or even as fuel-efficient as other small sport sedans. | For those who are image-conscious yet value-conscious, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C Class sedans and coupes make a lot of sense. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $32,550 | $32,500 | $33,095 | $37,350 | $40,320 | $35,350 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 17 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 21 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy | 15 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Turbocharged Gas I4 | Turbocharged Gas I4 | Gas I4 | Gas V6 | Gas V6 | Turbocharged Gas I4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Compact | Midsize Cars | Sub-Compact | Compact |
| Style Name | |||||
| 4dr Sedan 320i RWD | 4dr Sedan CVT FrontTrak 2.0T Premium | 4dr Sedan 2.5L RWD | 4dr Journey RWD | 4dr Sedan RWD | 4dr Sedan C250 Sport RWD |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | 4 Door Sedan | Sedan | 4 Door Sedan |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic w/Manual Shift | Continuously Variable Ratio | Automatic | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/Manual Shift | Automatic |
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