Car comparison

BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320ivsBMW 3 Series Compact (E46) 325ti

Compare specs, acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, practicality, and estimated running costs side by side.

New comparison

BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20)

320i

184 hp1998 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticTurbochargedSedan2019-2022
VS

BMW 3 Series Compact (E46)

325ti

192 hp2494 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedHatchback2001-2005

Comparison overview

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Best choices

BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    7.1 s
  • Fastest top speed
    240 km/h
    149 mph
  • Highest torque
    300 Nm
    221 lb-ft
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    5.9 L/100 km
    39.9 mpg US
    47.9 mpg UK
  • Lowest city consumption
    7.2 L/100 km
    32.7 mpg US
    39.2 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    5.2 L/100 km
    45.2 mpg US
    54.3 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    1,000 km
    621 mi
  • Largest trunk
    480 L
  • Best overall score
    61/100
  • Best performance score
    53/100
  • Best economy score
    91/100
  • Best practicality score
    77/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320iBMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti
Power
184hp137kW
192hp143kW
Torque
300Nm221lb-ft
245Nm181lb-ft
Curb weight
1,450kg3,197lb
1,405kg3,097lb
Gross weight
2,050kg4,519lb
1,905kg4,200lb
Top speed
240 km/h
149 mph
235 km/h
146 mph
To 99% top speed
64.5s99% target: 238 km/h / 148 mph
Calculated
81.3s99% target: 233 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
7.1s
7.1s
0-200 km/h
24.4s
Calculated
29.4s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.8s
Calculated
6.7s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
5.9L/100 km39.9mpg US47.9mpg UK
8.9L/100 km26.4mpg US31.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
7.2L/100 km32.7mpg US39.2mpg UK
12.3L/100 km19.1mpg US23.0mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
5.2L/100 km45.2mpg US54.3mpg UK
5.3L/100 km44.4mpg US53.3mpg UK
Quarter mile
15.0s
Calculated
15.1s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
127hp/t95kW/t58hp/1000 lb
Calculated
137hp/t102kW/t62hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
207Nm/t138lb-ft/ton
Calculated
174Nm/t117lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
1,000km621mi
Calculated
708km440mi
Calculated
Displacement
1,998cc122cu in
2,494cc152cu in
Length
4,709mm185in
4,262mm168in
Width
1,827mm72in
1,751mm69in
Height
1,435mm56in
1,408mm55in
Wheelbase
2,851mm112in
2,725mm107in
Front track-
1,474mm58in
Rear track-
1,483mm58in
Trunk volume-
310L
Max trunk volume
480L
1,100L
Doors
4
3
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
59L
63L
CO2 emissions
136g/km
-

Performance charts

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Dyno simulation

Estimated stock-style power and torque curves by engine speed.

BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320iBMW 3 Series Compact (E46) 325tiPowerTorque
  • BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320i: Power / Torque
  • BMW 3 Series Compact (E46) 325ti: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320i5,000-6,500 rpm1,350-4,000 rpm6,750 rpm
BMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti6,000 rpm3,500 rpm6,250 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320iBMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.8 s
6.7 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
7.1 s
7.1 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
24.4 s
29.4 s
Top speed
240 km/h
149 mph
235 km/h
146 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.7 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
6.8 s
6.6 s
1/8 mile
201 m
10.0 s
9.9 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.7 s
12.7 s
1/4 mile
402 m
15.0 s
15.1 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
161 km/h
100 mph
154 km/h
96 mph

Power comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power. Higher is better · hp / kW

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320i
184 hp
137 kW
BMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti
192 hp
143 kW

BMW 3 Series Compact (E46) 325ti has 8 hp more than BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320i and BMW 3 Series Compact (E46) 325ti: 8 hp (6 kW).

Torque comparison

Bar comparison chart for Torque. Higher is better · Nm / lb-ft

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320i
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
BMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti
245 Nm
181 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320i
1,450 kg
3,197 lb
BMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti
1,405 kg
3,097 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320i
240 km/h
149 mph
BMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti
235 km/h
146 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320i7.1 s
BMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti7.1 s

Although BMW 3 Series Compact (E46) 325ti has more power, BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320i is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

Fuel consumption comparison

Bar comparison chart for Fuel consumption. Lower is better · L/100 km / mpg US / mpg UK

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320i
5.9 L/100 km
39.9 mpg US
47.9 mpg UK
BMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti
8.9 L/100 km
26.4 mpg US
31.7 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320i and BMW 3 Series Compact (E46) 325ti: 3.0 L/100 km.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320i
127 hp/t
95 kW/t
7.9 kg/hp
BMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti
137 hp/t
102 kW/t
7.3 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

Bar comparison chart for Estimated range. Higher is better · km / mi

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320i
1,000 km
621 mi
BMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti
708 km
440 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320i
184 hp
137 kW
7.1 s
240 km/h
149 mph
BMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti
192 hp
143 kW
7.1 s
235 km/h
146 mph

Most attractive quadrant

Scatter chart with performance score on the X axis and practicality score on the Y axis.

Chart data table
VehiclePerformance scorePracticality score
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320i
Power
184 hp
137 kW
0-100 km/h7.1 s
Top speed
240 km/h
149 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
480 L
17.0 cu ft
Length
4,709 mm
185.4 in
Height
1,435 mm
56.5 in
BMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti
Power
192 hp
143 kW
0-100 km/h7.1 s
Top speed
235 km/h
146 mph
Doors/seats
3 doors
5 seats
Trunk
310 L
10.9 cu ft
Length
4,262 mm
167.8 in
Height
1,408 mm
55.4 in

Performance vs fuel economy

Cars closer to the top-right corner combine stronger performance with better fuel economy scores.

Performance vs fuel economy data table
VehiclePerformance scoreFuel economy score
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320i
Power
184 hp
137 kW
0-100 km/h7.1 s
Top speed
240 km/h
149 mph
5.9 L/100 km
39.9 mpg US
47.9 mpg UK
BMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti
Power
192 hp
143 kW
0-100 km/h7.1 s
Top speed
235 km/h
146 mph
8.9 L/100 km
26.4 mpg US
31.7 mpg UK

BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320i is closest to the top-right balance target for performance and fuel economy.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption

Cars closer to the lower-left corner offer a better mix of quick acceleration and low fuel consumption.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption data table
VehicleFuel consumption, L/100 km0-100 km/h, s
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320i
5.9 L/100 km
39.9 mpg US
47.9 mpg UK
7.1 s
BMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti
8.9 L/100 km
26.4 mpg US
31.7 mpg UK
7.1 s

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption

The shaded area favors higher power-to-weight with lower combined fuel consumption.

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption data table
VehiclePower-to-weight, hp/tFuel consumption, L/100 km
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320i
127 hp/t
95 kW/t
7.9 kg/hp
5.9 L/100 km
39.9 mpg US
47.9 mpg UK
BMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti
137 hp/t
102 kW/t
7.3 kg/hp
8.9 L/100 km
26.4 mpg US
31.7 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320iBMW3 Series Compact (E46)325ti
Power
184 hp
137 kW
192 hp
143 kW
Torque
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
245 Nm
181 lb-ft
Acceleration
7.1 s
7.1 s
Top speed
240 km/h
149 mph
235 km/h
146 mph
Lightness
1,450 kg
3,197 lb
1,405 kg
3,097 lb
Fuel consumption
5.9 L/100 km
39.9 mpg US
47.9 mpg UK
8.9 L/100 km
26.4 mpg US
31.7 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
480 L
17.0 cu ft
Length
4,709 mm
185.4 in
Height
1,435 mm
56.5 in
Doors/seats
3 doors
5 seats
Trunk
310 L
10.9 cu ft
Length
4,262 mm
167.8 in
Height
1,408 mm
55.4 in
Range score
1,000 km
621 mi
708 km
440 mi
CO2 score
136 g/km
-
Trunk score
480 L
17.0 cu ft
310 L
10.9 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
127 hp/t
95 kW/t
7.9 kg/hp
137 hp/t
102 kW/t
7.3 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Fuel cost and annual usage

Estimate running costs from combined consumption, your annual distance, and the fuel price in your local currency.

Enter the fuel price in your local currency, for example €/L, $/gal, £/L or any other local currency.

LC = Local Currency

Fuel cost and annual usage
VehicleBMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320iBMW 3 Series Compact (E46) 325ti
Consumption5.9 L/100 km39.9 mpg US47.9 mpg UK8.9 L/100 km26.4 mpg US31.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km10.33 LC100 km15.58 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi16.62 LC100 mi25.07 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used885 L234 US gal195 UK gal1,335 L353 US gal294 UK gal
Annual fuel cost1,549 LC/year2,336 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320i

  • Has 55 Nm more
  • Has 5 km/h (3 mph) higher top speed
  • Uses 3.0 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 292 km (182 mi) more estimated range
  • Has 170 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Highest torque
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best estimated range
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Heaviest

BMW 3 Series Compact (E46) 325ti

  • Has 8 hp more
  • Is 45 kg lighter
  • Has 10 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Most powerful
  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Lowest top speed
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320i
BMW 3 Series Compact (E46) 325ti
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