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BMW 3 Series Saloon vs Citroen C3 Aircross comparison

Compare performance (530 HP vs 145 HP), boot space and price (39,900 £ vs 16,400 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 3 Series Saloon or Citroen C3 Aircross?

BMW 3 Series Saloon vs Citroen C3 Aircross: Key differences

BMW 3 Series Saloon

  • substantially more power
  • substantially more efficient
  • considerably quicker 0–100 km/h
  • barely more trunk space
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Citroen C3 Aircross

4.4 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • significantly cheaper
  • considerably more electric range
  • clearly lighter
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

3 Series Saloon

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

Citroen C3 Aircross is significantly cheaper – starting at 16,400 £ , while the BMW 3 Series Saloon costs 39,900 £ . That’s a price difference of around 23,494 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the BMW 3 Series Saloon uses 2.4 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the Citroen C3 Aircross with 5.3 L/100km. The difference is about 2.9 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Citroen C3 Aircross offers considerably more range – reaching up to 400 km, about 299 km more than the BMW 3 Series Saloon.

C3 Aircross

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the BMW 3 Series Saloon offers substantially more power – delivering 530 HP compared to 145 HP. That’s roughly 385 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW 3 Series Saloon is considerably quicker – completing the sprint in 3.5 s, while the Citroen C3 Aircross takes 12.3 s. That’s about 8.8 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the BMW 3 Series Saloon delivers significantly more torque with 700 Nm compared to 230 Nm. That’s about 470 Nm more.

3 Series Saloon

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Citroen C3 Aircross is clearly lighter – 1,312 kg compared to 1,575 kg. The difference is around 263 kg.

Looking at boot space, the BMW 3 Series Saloon offers barely more boot space – 480 L compared to 460 L. That’s a difference of about 20 L.

When it comes to payload, the BMW 3 Series Saloon carries marginally more – 495 kg compared to 462 kg. That’s a difference of about 33 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The BMW 3 Series Saloon is decisively ahead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £39,900
3 Series Saloon

BMW 3 Series Saloon

  • Engine Type Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 150 - 530 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 2.4 - 10.1 L/100km
  • Electric Range 96 - 101 km
BMW 3 Series Saloon
Citroen C3 Aircross

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

BMW 3 Series Saloon

The BMW 3 Series saloon is a driver's car in a suit, blending poised handling with a cabin that feels more premium than its practicality suggests. It’s composed enough for daily duties yet playful enough to keep weekend drives interesting, making it a sensible choice for buyers who still want to have fun.

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Citroen C3 Aircross

The Citroën C3 Aircross is a compact crossover that stands out with its quirky, friendly styling and a tall, airy cabin that prioritizes comfort. It suits buyers who value flexible interior space, good visibility and easy urban driving over sporty performance.

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BMW 3 Series Saloon
Citroen C3 Aircross

Costs and Consumption

Price
39,900 - 92,200 £
Price
16,400 - 29,000 £
Consumption L/100km
2.4 - 10.1 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
5.3 - 5.9 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
16.1 - 18.1 kWh/100km
Electric Range
96 - 101 km
Electric Range
307 - 400 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
54 - 227 g/km
co2
0 - 134 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,575 - 1,960 kg
Curb weight
1,312 - 1,608 kg
Trunk capacity
375 - 480 L
Trunk capacity
460 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,827 - 1,903 mm
Width
1,795 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
405 - 495 kg
Payload
407 - 462 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Electric, Petrol, Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox, Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox, Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 530 HP
Power HP
101 - 145 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
12.3 - 13 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
250 - 700 Nm
Torque
125 - 230 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
3
Power kW
110 - 390 kW
Power kW
74 - 107 kW
Engine capacity
1,995 - 2,998 cm3
Engine capacity
1,199 cm3

General

Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
A, D
Brand
BMW
Brand
Citroen
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.