2020 BMW 3-Series vs 2020 Lexus IS vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2020 BMW 3-Series

#1 in Luxury Small Sedans

2020 Lexus IS

#11 in Luxury Small Sedans

2020 Mercedes-Benz C Class

#3 in Coupes

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330i Sedan

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
3 Series 330i Sedan	26	36	$38,400	$40,750
3 Series 330i Sedan North America	26	36	$38,400	$40,750
3 Series 330i xDrive Sedan	25	34	$40,260	$42,750
3 Series 330i xDrive Sedan North America	25	34	$40,260	$42,750
3 Series M340i Sedan	22	30	$50,720	$54,000
3 Series M340i Sedan North America	22	30	$50,720	$54,000
3 Series M340i xDrive Sedan	22	30	$52,580	$56,000

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IS 300 AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
IS IS 300 AWD	18	24	$38,139	$41,010
IS IS 300 F SPORT AWD	18	24	$38,139	$41,010
IS IS 300 F SPORT RWD	21	30	$35,861	$38,560
IS IS 300 RWD	21	30	$35,861	$38,560
IS IS 350 AWD	19	26	$41,240	$44,345
IS IS 350 F SPORT AWD	19	26	$41,240	$44,345
IS IS 350 F SPORT RWD	20	28	$39,229	$42,180
IS IS 350 RWD	20	28	$39,229	$42,180

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AMG C 43 4MATIC Convertible

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Convertible	18	25	$60,865	$64,750
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupe	19	27	$54,990	$58,500
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Sedan	19	27	$52,593	$55,950
C-Class AMG C 63 Convertible	17	24	$72,662	$77,300
C-Class AMG C 63 Coupe	17	26	$65,706	$69,900
C-Class AMG C 63 S Convertible	17	24	$79,806	$84,900
C-Class AMG C 63 S Coupe	17	26	$72,850	$77,500
C-Class AMG C 63 S Sedan	18	27	$71,158	$75,700
C-Class AMG C 63 Sedan	18	27	$64,014	$68,100
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Convertible	21	29	$52,593	$55,950
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Coupe	21	30	$45,073	$47,950
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Sedan	23	33	$40,796	$43,400
C-Class C 300 Convertible	21	29	$50,713	$53,950
C-Class C 300 Coupe	22	31	$43,193	$45,950
C-Class C 300 Sedan	24	35	$38,916	$41,400

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$38,400

$38,139

$60,865

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$40,750

$41,010

$64,750

Monthly Payment Estimate

$679 / month

$684 / month

$1079 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.7

Read Our Full Review

5.8

Read Our Full Review

7.3

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2020 BMW 3-Series is back on top among compact sport sedans, even as the competition closes in.

The 2020 Lexus IS is polished and poised, but ultimately short on compelling qualities.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is as gorgeous inside as it is outside, and it has moves to match.

TCC Likes

Dual personality
Longer, wider, stronger
Impressive technology

Good features
Decent lines
IS 350's powertrain

Have it your way body styles
All of which are gorgeous
Strong powertrain lineup

TCC Dislikes

8-speed automatic only
Added dimensions don’t add much inside
No electrified powertrains to start

Average base engine
Can get expensive
Cramped rear seat

Manual would be nice
Hefty pricetag
Rear-seat and cargo space just so-so

Fuel Economy

City

26 mpg

18 mpg

Highway

36 mpg

24 mpg

25 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Leg Room (in)

35.2

32.2

Passenger Capacity

Front Leg Room (in)

44.8

Second Head Room (in)

37.6

36.9

35.6

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.6

53.4

51.7

Front Head Room (in)

38.7

38.2

38.8

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.9

54.8

Second Hip Room (in)

Passenger Volume (ft³)

90.2

Front Hip Room (in)

54.3

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.9

61.3

Wheelbase (in)

112.2

110.2

111.8

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

71.9

71.3

Track Width, Front (in)

62.3

60.4

63.1

Length, Overall (in)

185.7

184.3

184.8

Height, Overall (in)

56.8

56.3

55.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.1

3.6

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

10.8

8.8

Brakes

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.2

14.2

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.2

12.6

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

15.6

17.4

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.4

35.4

39.7

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P225/45HR18

P225/45VR17

P245/40HR18

Rear Tire Order Code

R02

Front Tire Size

P225/45HR18

P225/45VR17

P225/45HR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

R02

Spare Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3582

3737

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

17 X 7.5

18 X 7.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

17 X 7.5

18 X 8.5

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

295 @ 1550

236 @ 2000

384 @ 2500

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0 L/122

3.5 L/211

3.0 L/183

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

255 @ 5000

260 @ 6600

385 @ 6100

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Premium Unleaded V-6

Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Port/Direct Injection

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.58

1.00

First Gear Ratio (:1)

5.25

3.52

5.35

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

2.81

3.77

3.07

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

2.17

1.40

2.25

Trans Type

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.82

0.86

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.32

0.71

1.21

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.71

3.17

4.80

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

3.36

2.04

3.24

Trans Order Code

2TB

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.72

1.00

1.64

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.64

0.72

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

All Wheel

Summary

Body Style

Sedan

4MATIC Cabriolet

Vehicle Name

BMW 3 Series

Lexus IS

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Double Wishbone

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Double Wishbone

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Emissions

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

5.9

8.5

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

180

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

2020 BMW 3-Series

2020 3-Series available; 2021s orderable
Rebate: $1,000 loyalty cash
Financing: From 0.9% APR for 60 months
Lease: From $419 for 36 months

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2020 Lexus IS

2020 IS available
Bonus: $3,000 Lexus Cash
Financing: 0% for 60 months
Leases: From $309 per month for 36 months

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2020 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2020 C-Class is in showrooms
Discounts: Up to $4,500 off (sedan)
Lease: $449/mo. (sedan)
Finance: 0% APR for 36 mo.

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