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BMW 3 Series Saloon vs CUPRA Ateca comparison

Compare performance (530 HP vs 300 HP), boot space and price (39,900 £ vs 37,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 3 Series Saloon or CUPRA Ateca?

BMW 3 Series Saloon vs CUPRA Ateca: Key differences

BMW 3 Series Saloon

  • clearly more power
  • considerably more efficient
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
details

CUPRA Ateca

4.1 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • marginally cheaper
  • somewhat lighter
  • very slightly more trunk space
details

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:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

CUPRA Ateca is marginally cheaper – starting at 37,300 £ , while the BMW 3 Series Saloon costs 39,900 £ . That’s a price difference of around 2,674 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the BMW 3 Series Saloon uses 2.4 L/100km and is considerably more efficient than the CUPRA Ateca with 6.7 L/100km. The difference is about 4.3 L/100km.

Ateca

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the BMW 3 Series Saloon offers clearly more power – delivering 530 HP compared to 300 HP. That’s roughly 230 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW 3 Series Saloon is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.5 s, while the CUPRA Ateca takes 4.9 s. That’s about 1.4 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the BMW 3 Series Saloon delivers clearly more torque with 700 Nm compared to 400 Nm. That’s about 300 Nm more.

3 Series Saloon

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, CUPRA Ateca is somewhat lighter – 1,418 kg compared to 1,575 kg. The difference is around 157 kg.

Looking at boot space, the CUPRA Ateca offers very slightly more boot space – 485 L compared to 480 L. That’s a difference of about 5 L.

When it comes to payload, the CUPRA Ateca carries very slightly more – 522 kg compared to 495 kg. That’s a difference of about 27 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The BMW 3 Series Saloon holds a decisive overall lead 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
details

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BMW 3 Series Saloon
CUPRA Ateca

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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Reviews BMW 3 Series Saloon

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

CUPRA Ateca

The CUPRA Ateca mixes SUV practicality with a seriously sporty attitude, wrapped in aggressive styling and a cockpit that looks like it belongs on a racetrack. It's the kind of car that handles daily life with composure while slipping a grin across your face every time you push it—perfect for drivers who want a practical companion that never apologizes for having fun.

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Reviews CUPRA Ateca

4.1 (2 Reviews)
rate
Stephan B.
18 Feb 2026, 05:44:55

The Cupra Ateca is technically state-of-the-art. The interior tech is top-notch, the materials feel premium and are genuinely useful. But it’s still a car — a practical tool — and despite the excellent build quality and very solid engine performance, it remains affordable for the average buyer.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): City / Short distance
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

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CUPRA Ateca

Costs and Consumption
Price
39,900 - 92,200 £
Price
37,300 - 51,200 £
Consumption L/100km
2.4 - 10.1 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
6.7 - 9.1 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
96 - 101 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
54 - 227 g/km
co2
153 - 207 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
1,418 - 1,628 kg
Trunk capacity
375 - 480 L
Trunk capacity
485 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,827 - 1,903 mm
Width
1,841 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
405 - 495 kg
Payload
502 - 522 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox, Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 530 HP
Power HP
150 - 300 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.9 - 9.3 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
250 - 700 Nm
Torque
250 - 400 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
110 - 390 kW
Power kW
110 - 221 kW
Engine capacity
1,995 - 2,998 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, E
Brand
BMW
Brand
CUPRA
Is the BMW 3 Series Saloon offered with different drivetrains?

The BMW 3 Series Saloon is available as Rear-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

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.