2018 BMW 3-Series vs 2018 Lexus IS

2018 BMW 3-Series

2018 Lexus IS

Select style

320i Sedan

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
3 Series 320i Sedan	24	35	$32,955	$34,900
3 Series 320i Sedan South Africa	24	35	$32,955	$34,900
3 Series 320i xDrive Sedan	23	34	$34,815	$36,900
3 Series 320i xDrive Sedan South Africa	23	34	$34,815	$36,900
3 Series 328d Sedan	31	43	$39,330	$41,750
3 Series 328d xDrive Sedan	30	40	$41,190	$43,750
3 Series 328d xDrive Sports Wagon	30	40	$43,420	$46,150
3 Series 330e iPerformance Plug-In Hybrid	N/A	N/A	$42,910	$45,600
3 Series 330i Sedan	24	34	$37,935	$40,250
3 Series 330i Sedan South Africa	24	34	$37,935	$40,250
3 Series 330i xDrive Gran Turismo	23	33	$42,395	$45,050
3 Series 330i xDrive Sedan	23	33	$39,795	$42,250
3 Series 330i xDrive Sedan South Africa	23	33	$39,795	$42,250
3 Series 330i xDrive Sports Wagon	23	33	$42,025	$44,650
3 Series 340i Sedan	21	32	$46,025	$48,950
3 Series 340i Sedan South Africa	21	32	$46,025	$48,950
3 Series 340i xDrive Gran Turismo	20	29	$47,835	$50,900
3 Series 340i xDrive Sedan	21	31	$47,885	$50,950
3 Series 340i xDrive Sedan South Africa	21	31	$47,885	$50,950
M3 CS Sedan	16	22	$91,875	$98,250
M3 Sedan	17	25	$62,345	$66,500

Select style

IS 300 AWD

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

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$32,955

$37,814

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$34,900

$40,660

Monthly Payment Estimate

$582 / month

$678 / 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

19 mpg

Highway

35 mpg

26 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

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

Track Width, Front (in)

60.3

60.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.1

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

35.4

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Front Tire Size

P225/50VR17

P225/45VR17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/50VR17

P225/45VR17

Rear Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3295

3737

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7.5

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

900

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

170

Engine

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Premium Unleaded V-6

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Port/Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

200 @ 1250

236 @ 2000

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0 L/122

3.5 L/211

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

180 @ 5000

260 @ 6400

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.29

3.17

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

3.14

2.04

Trans Order Code

205

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.67

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

All Wheel

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.58

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.71

3.52

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.15

3.77

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

2.11

1.40

Trans Type

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.84

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.28

0.71

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

8.0

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

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