2021 BMW 3-Series vs 2021 Lexus IS vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2021 BMW 3-Series

#1 in Luxury Small Sedans

2021 Lexus IS

#7 in Luxury Small Sedans

2020 Mercedes-Benz C Class

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330e Plug-In Hybrid

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
3 Series 330e Plug-In Hybrid	N/A	N/A	$41,930	$44,550
3 Series 330e Plug-In Hybrid North America	N/A	N/A	$41,930	$44,550
3 Series 330e xDrive Plug-In Hybrid	N/A	N/A	$43,790	$46,550
3 Series 330e xDrive Plug-In Hybrid North America	N/A	N/A	$43,790	$46,550
3 Series 330i Sedan	26	36	$38,865	$41,250
3 Series 330i Sedan North America	26	36	$38,865	$41,250
3 Series 330i xDrive Sedan	25	34	$40,725	$43,250
3 Series 330i xDrive Sedan North America	25	34	$40,725	$43,250
3 Series M340i Sedan	23	32	$51,370	$54,700
3 Series M340i Sedan North America	23	32	$51,370	$54,700
3 Series M340i xDrive Sedan	22	31	$53,230	$56,700
3 Series M340i xDrive Sedan North America	22	31	$53,230	$56,700
M3 Competition Sedan	16	23	$68,205	$72,800
M3 Sedan	16	23	$65,505	$69,900

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IS 300 AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
IS IS 300 AWD	19	26	$38,178	$41,050
IS IS 300 RWD	21	31	$36,318	$39,050
IS IS 350 F SPORT AWD	19	26	$41,805	$44,950
IS IS 350 F SPORT RWD	20	28	$39,945	$42,950

Select style

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

$41,930

$38,178

$60,865

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$44,550

$41,050

$64,750

Monthly Payment Estimate

$743 / month

$684 / month

$1079 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.7

Read Our Full Review

6.2

Read Our Full Review

7.3

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The flexible 2021 BMW 3-Series lineup offers something for everyone, so long as they’re not smitten with SUVs.

The 2021 Lexus IS doesn’t gain any ground on the more performance-oriented compact sedans, but it’s priced right.

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

TCC Likes

Spectacular engines
Thrill-ride M3
Ride/handling balance

Improved infotainment access
Sporty steering and handling
Good standard features

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

TCC Dislikes

No wagon version
No manual, except in M3
M3’s style an acquired taste, at best

AWD hump in driver’s footwell
Competition does it better
Recycled powertrains

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

Fuel Economy

City

Coming Soon

19 mpg

18 mpg

Highway

Coming Soon

26 mpg

25 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Subcompact Cars

Interior Dimensions

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

Passenger Capacity

Second Leg Room (in)

35.2

32.2

Front Leg Room (in)

44.8

Passenger Volume (ft³)

90.2

Front Hip Room (in)

54.3

Second Hip Room (in)

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

62.2

63.1

Length, Overall (in)

185.7

185.4

184.8

Height, Overall (in)

56.9

56.7

55.4

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.8

61.3

Wheelbase (in)

112.2

110.2

111.8

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

71.9

72.4

71.3

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.5

3.6

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

13.2

10.8

8.8

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.7

12.6

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.2

14.2

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

10.6

17.4

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.2

35.4

39.7

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Front Tire Size

P225/45HR18

P235/45VR18

P225/45HR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

R02

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/45HR18

P235/45VR18

P245/40HR18

Rear Tire Order Code

R02

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4039

3847

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

18 X 8.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

18 X 8.5

18 X 7.5

Engine

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Port/Direct Injection

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

310

236 @ 2000

384 @ 2500

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0 L/122

3.5 L/211

3.0 L/183

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

288 @ 3800

260 @ 6600

385 @ 6100

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Gas/Electric I-4

Premium Unleaded V-6

Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6

Mileage

EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Estimated Battery Range (mi)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.67

1.00

1.64

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.58

1.00

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.71

3.52

5.35

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

All Wheel Drive

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.23

3.77

3.07

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

2.11

1.40

2.25

Trans Type

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

0.72

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.28

0.71

1.21

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.32

3.17

4.80

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

3.14

2.04

3.24

Trans Order Code

2TB

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.84

0.86

Summary

Vehicle Name

BMW 3 Series

Lexus IS

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Body Style

Sedan

4MATIC Cabriolet

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Double Wishbone

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Double Wishbone

Strut

Emissions

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

8.0

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

2021 BMW 3-Series

2021 BMW 3-Series available; 2022s arriving
Lease: From $429 for 36 months
Rebate: $1,000 college graduate
Financing: From 0.9% APR for 60 months

Get Your Price

2021 Lexus IS

2021 Lexus IS available
Lease: From $399 for 36 months
Rebate: Up to $1,500 cash
Finance: From 1.9% APR for 60 months

Get Your Price

2020 Mercedes-Benz C Class

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