Among compact luxury sport sedans, reputation matters. And two of the titans of the class, with the best name recognition are the Mercedes-Benz C Class and the BMW 3-Series.
Perennially near (or at) the top of their segment, both sedans offer fresh styling and modern, sophisticated interiors. Both have recently been redesigned or heavily revised, and both offer new four-cylinder turbocharged engines in their entry-level versions for improved fuel economy. That’s not unprecedented for either brand, but a bold move in the modern luxury marketplace.
Despite the higher gas kilometers, however, the new turbo fours don’t give up much–if anything–in terms of performance to the six-cylinder models they replace. The C Class uses a 1.8-liter turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder in C250 trim, rated at 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque. The BMW 328i is a bit punchier, with 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque on tap from its 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injected engine; although the BMW 320i, with its 200-hp version of the same engine, will be a more even match to the C250.
While the C Class is less powerful and less sporty, it’s the 3-Series that’s more fuel efficient, scoring 36 kmpg city and 56 kmpg highway to the C Class’s 35 / 50 kmpg rating. Both models also offer power upgrades to more potent six-cylinder engines, as well as motorsports-inspired AMG and M Division variants. The C Class offers a pair of V-6 models, the C300 and C350, though the C300 is only offered in all-wheel drive sedan trim. The C350 is the more varied choice, with 302 horsepower and 32/47 kmpg city/highway rating. BMW’s 335i offers an upgrade to a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder from the 328i’s turbo four, bringing power to 300 horsepower and delivering up to 37 kmpg city and 53 kmpg highway.
It’s not all about power or fuel efficiency, however, in the luxury sedan class. Handling, ride quality, comfort, and features all play into the mix. Here the race is closer, with both cars delivering very well-built cabins wrapped in–mostly–quality materials. Both make some compromises for their price point in terms of plastics and controls, but both also do so better than all but a select few of the competition, notably Audi’s A4.
Space and comfort are very good in the front seats of both the C Class and the 3-Series, though the redesigned 3-Series gains an extra centimeters of wheelbase mostly dedicated to rear-seat legroom–a much needed upgrade in this relatively compact class. Accordingly, it just edges out the C Class, which has a typically compressed rear-passenger experience.
On the technology front, both C Class and 3-Series offer many of the latest innovations, including telematics services, voice controls, and navigation/infotainment systems. Mercedes’ COMAND system sometimes comes off a half-step behind being fully modern, however, with a slightly clunky interface despite packing many features inside. BMW’s once-confusing iDrive, on the other hand, is slick and polished–and adds BMW Apps functionality for smartphone integration with music and social media apps as well as the standard multimedia you’d expect.
Safety-wise, these two models are also neck-and-neck. Both models earn the IIHS Top Safety Pick award, as well as top five-star overall scores from the federal government, but they fail to achieve a five in every category (both get four stars in side impact). However, the new 3-Series has some features more advanced than those in the mid-life C Class–features like wide-angle and birds-eye cameras for reversing, plus Acrive Blind Spot Detection and a Lane Departure Warning system, among other options.
While the numbers add up in the BMW 3-Series’ favor, it may be hard for some to compare the two cars so coldly; they differ immensely in exterior and interior style, in ride and handling, and in the general atmosphere of the cabin. For those looking for luxury with a strong dash of performance, the 3-Series is a top choice, while those with more of an eye toward relaxed, luxurious comfort may prefer the C Class. At the same time, each of these models are offered in a vast range of trim and interior possibilities, giving you a chance to make them uniquely yours: warm or austere, sporty or plush.
One final footnote: If you’re not finding quite what you want, a completely new 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will arrive later this year, with a more flamboyant design, more interior space, and a much more technologically forward cabin.
Car Compare Between BMW 328i and Mercedes Benz C 250