Honda City vs BMW 3 Series
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Honda City
Price TBC
Sedan
Petrol
1.5L SOHC i-VTEC (L15A/L15Z)
88kW
5.7 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
536L
BMW 3 Series
From $94,700
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
190kW
6.5 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
480L
Track the Honda City & BMW 3 Series
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
Both the Honda City and BMW 3 Series hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The BMW 3 Series packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 0 in the Honda City.
Both include the essentials: a reversing camera.
Feature Showdown
The Honda City features a 7-inch touchscreen, while the BMW 3 Series gets a 14.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments.
The BMW 3 Series counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Harman Kardon audio that the Honda City does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Honda City uses a 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC (L15A/L15Z) producing 88kW and 145Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a FWD layout.
The BMW 3 Series responds with a Petrol making 190kW and 400Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds.
The BMW 3 Series has the clear power advantage at 190kW vs 88kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Honda City measures 4,455mm long on a 2,600mm wheelbase, 258mm shorter than the BMW 3 Series at 4,713mm (2,851mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW 3 Series generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 536L in the Honda City and 480L in the BMW 3 Series, giving the Honda City a 56L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.5m to 11.0m
Based on 10.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,625/year for the Honda City and $1,853/year for the BMW 3 Series. That is a $228 annual difference in favour of the Honda City.
Estimated annual total: $1,625 (Honda City) vs $1,853 (BMW 3 Series). The Honda City saves you roughly $228 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 3 years / 100,000km (Honda City) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 3 Series). The BMW 3 Series has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Honda City if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Honda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW 3 Series if: You prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Honda City and BMW 3 Series trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Honda City will save you roughly $228 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Honda City has a clear edge. The BMW 3 Series adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Honda City and BMW 3 Series?
The BMW 3 Series is the cheapest at $94,700 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Honda City uses the least fuel at 5.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Honda City and BMW 3 Series all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Honda City has the largest boot at 536L.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW 3 Series has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BMW 3 Series has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW 3 Series makes the most power at 190kW.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
