@ BMW Group Press
@ Mazda Motor Corporation
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BMW 3 Series Saloon vs Mazda MX-5 Roadster - Differences and prices compared

Compare performance (530 HP vs 132 HP), boot space and price (39900 £ vs 28400 £) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 3 Series Saloon or Mazda MX-5 Roadster?

BMW 3 Series Saloon

Mazda MX-5 Roadster

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

3 Series Saloon @ BMW Group Press

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

Mazda MX-5 Roadster has a clearly advantage in terms of price – it starts at 28400 £, while the BMW 3 Series Saloon costs 39900 £. That’s a price difference of around 11494 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: BMW 3 Series Saloon manages with 2.40 L and is therefore clearly more efficient than the Mazda MX-5 Roadster with 6.20 L. The difference is about 3.80 L per 100 km.

MX-5 Roadster @ Mazda Motor Corporation

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 has a clearly edge – offering 530 HP compared to 132 HP. That’s roughly 398 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW 3 Series Saloon is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.50 s, while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster takes 8.30 s. That’s about 4.80 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the BMW 3 Series Saloon performs to a small extent better – reaching 250 km/h, while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster tops out at 204 km/h. The difference is around 46 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: BMW 3 Series Saloon pulls decisively stronger with 700 Nm compared to 152 Nm. That’s about 548 Nm difference.

3 Series Saloon @ BMW Group Press

Space and Everyday Use:

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

Seats: BMW 3 Series Saloon offers significantly more seating capacity – 5 vs 2.

In curb weight, Mazda MX-5 Roadster is decisively lighter – 1078 kg compared to 1575 kg. The difference is around 497 kg.

In terms of boot space, the BMW 3 Series Saloon offers decisively more room – 480 L compared to 130 L. That’s a difference of about 350 L.

When it comes to payload, BMW 3 Series Saloon convincingly takes the win – 495 kg compared to 152 kg. That’s a difference of about 343 kg.

Who comes out on top?

Overall, the BMW 3 Series Saloon shows itself to be leaves the rival little chance and secures the title of DriveDuel Champion.
It convinces with the more balanced overall package and proves to be the more versatile choice for everyday use.

from about £39,900
3 Series Saloon @ BMW Group Press

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
  • Electric Range : 96 - 101 km
BMW 3 Series Saloon
Mazda MX-5 Roadster

Costs and Consumption

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Engine and Performance

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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.

details

Mazda MX-5 Roadster

The Mazda MX-5 is a featherweight, open-top sports car that turns ordinary roads into a grin-inducing playground thanks to razor-sharp steering and an engaging, tactile gearbox. It won’t swallow the weekly shopping or ski bags, but for anyone after pure driving fun and sun-on-your-face weekends, few cars match its sheer charm and value.

details
BMW 3 Series Saloon
Mazda MX-5 Roadster
3 Series Saloon @ BMW Group Press
MX-5 Roadster @ Mazda Motor Corporation

Costs and Consumption

Price
39900 - 91000 £
Price
28400 - 33800 £
Consumption L/100km
2.4 - 10.1 L
Consumption L/100km
6.20 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
96 - 101 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
19.50 kWh
Battery Capacity
-
co2
54 - 227 g/km
co2
140 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 59 L
Fuel tank capacity
45 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
Roadster
Seats
5
Seats
2
Doors
4
Doors
2
Curb weight
1575 - 1960 kg
Curb weight
1078 kg
Trunk capacity
375 - 480 L
Trunk capacity
130 L
Length
4713 - 4801 mm
Length
3915 mm
Width
1827 - 1903 mm
Width
1735 mm
Height
1437 - 1446 mm
Height
1225 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
405 - 495 kg
Payload
152 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Manuel
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox, Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 530 HP
Power HP
132 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.30 s
Max Speed
218 - 250 km/h
Max Speed
204 km/h
Torque
250 - 700 Nm
Torque
152 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
110 - 390 kW
Power kW
97 kW
Engine capacity
1995 - 2998 cm3
Engine capacity
1496 cm3

General

Model Year
2024 - 2025
Model Year
2024
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
E
Brand
BMW
Brand
Mazda
What drive types are available for the BMW 3 Series Saloon?

The BMW 3 Series Saloon is offered with Rear-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

The prices and data displayed are estimates based on German list prices and may vary by country. This information is not legally binding.