2018 BMW 3-Series vs 2018 Lexus IS

2018 BMW 3-Series

2018 Lexus IS

Select style

Sedan 320i

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Sedan 320i	24	35	$32,955	$34,900
Sedan South Africa 320i	24	35	$32,955	$34,900
Sedan 320i xDrive	23	34	$34,815	$36,900
Sedan South Africa 320i xDrive	23	34	$34,815	$36,900
Sedan 330i	24	34	$37,935	$40,250
Sedan South Africa 330i	24	34	$37,935	$40,250
Sedan 328d	31	43	$39,330	$41,750
Sedan 330i xDrive	23	33	$39,795	$42,250
Sedan South Africa 330i xDrive	23	33	$39,795	$42,250
Sedan 328d xDrive	30	40	$41,190	$43,750
Sports Wagon 330i xDrive	23	33	$42,025	$44,650
Gran Turismo 330i xDrive	23	33	$42,395	$45,050
Plug-In Hybrid 330e iPerformance	N/A	N/A	$42,910	$45,600
Sports Wagon 328d xDrive	30	40	$43,420	$46,150
Sedan 340i	21	32	$46,025	$48,950
Sedan South Africa 340i	21	32	$46,025	$48,950
Gran Turismo 340i xDrive	20	29	$47,835	$50,900
Sedan 340i xDrive	21	31	$47,885	$50,950
Sedan South Africa 340i xDrive	21	31	$47,885	$50,950

Select style

RWD IS 300 F Sport

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
RWD IS 300	22	32	$35,535	$38,210
RWD IS 300 F Sport	22	32	$35,535	$38,210
AWD IS 300	19	26	$37,814	$40,660
AWD IS 300 F Sport	19	26	$37,814	$40,660
RWD IS 350	20	28	$38,903	$41,830
RWD IS 350 F Sport	20	28	$38,903	$41,830
AWD IS 350	19	26	$40,916	$43,995
AWD IS 350 F Sport	19	26	$40,916	$43,995

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$32,955

$35,535

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$34,900

$38,210

Monthly Payment Estimate

$582 / month

$637 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.7

Read Our Full Review

6.7

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2018 BMW 3-Series makes its strongest case in performance for luxury compact buyers’ attentions.

The Lexus IS needs more powertrain guts, and more styling glory, to tackle the cars it wants to take down.

TCC Likes

Classic look
Wide number of powertrains
Plenty of body styles (wagon!)

Lots of standard equipment
Subtle, stylish look
Swift-shifting 8-speed

TCC Dislikes

Gets expensive, almost unnecessarily
Dated interior
Spartan base model

Too many cooks under the hood
Awkward powertrain walk
Pricey options

Fuel Economy

City

24 mpg

22 mpg

Highway

35 mpg

32 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Shoulder Room (in)

55.1

53.4

Front Head Room (in)

40.3

38.2

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.1

55.9

Second Leg Room (in)

35.1

32.2

Passenger Capacity

Front Leg Room (in)

44.8

Second Head Room (in)

37.7

36.9

Passenger Volume (ft³)

90.2

Front Hip Room (in)

54.3

Second Hip Room (in)

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

60.3

60.4

Length, Overall (in)

182.5

184.3

Height, Overall (in)

56.3

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.9

Wheelbase (in)

110.6

110.2

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

71.3

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.3

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

10.8

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.3

13.2

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.8

12.2

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

15.8

17.4

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.1

34.2

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P225/50VR17

P225/40YR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/50VR17

P255/35YR18

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3295

3583

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7.5

18 X 8

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7.5

18 X 8.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

900

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

170

Engine

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Port/Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

200 @ 1250

258 @ 1650

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0 L/122

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

180 @ 5000

241 @ 5800

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.29

4.06

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

3.14

2.72

Trans Order Code

205

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.67

1.46

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

0.69

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.71

4.60

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.15

3.13

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

2.11

1.86

Trans Type

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.84

0.82

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.28

1.23

Trans Description Cont. Again

Summary

Vehicle Name

BMW 3 Series

Lexus IS

Body Style

Sedan

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

6.3

6.8

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

Get FREE Dealer Quotes

From dealers near you

Go!

Compare 2018 BMW 3-Series vs 2018 Lexus IS

Get FREE Dealer Quotes

Add a Vehicle to Compare