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BMW 3 Series Saloon vs Mercedes B Class comparison

Compare performance (530 HP vs 238 HP), boot space and price (39,900 £ vs 33,100 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 3 Series Saloon or Mercedes B Class?

BMW 3 Series Saloon vs Mercedes B Class: Key differences

BMW 3 Series Saloon

  • clearly more power
  • substantially more efficient
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • only slightly more trunk space
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Mercedes B Class

4.9 (5 Reviews)
rate
  • visibly cheaper
  • somewhat 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:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

Mercedes B Class is visibly cheaper – starting at 33,100 £ , while the BMW 3 Series Saloon costs 39,900 £ . That’s a price difference of around 6,813 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the BMW 3 Series Saloon uses 2.4 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the Mercedes B Class with 5.1 L/100km. The difference is about 2.7 L/100km.

B Class

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 238 HP. That’s roughly 292 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 Mercedes B Class takes 6.5 s. That’s about 3 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the BMW 3 Series Saloon delivers significantly 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, Mercedes B Class is somewhat lighter – 1,405 kg compared to 1,575 kg. The difference is around 170 kg.

Looking at boot space, the BMW 3 Series Saloon offers only slightly more boot space – 480 L compared to 455 L. That’s a difference of about 25 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes B Class carries marginally more – 550 kg compared to 495 kg. That’s a difference of about 55 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
BMW 3 Series Saloon
Mercedes B Class

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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Mercedes B Class

The Mercedes B-Class is a smart, grown-up compact people carrier that dresses everyday practicality in a near‑premium polish, perfect for buyers who want comfort and a classy badge without the theatrics. It won’t set your pulse racing on a back road, but it will make school runs, commutes and grocery hauls feel pleasantly civilized — a reliable, slightly posh companion for real life.

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BMW 3 Series Saloon
Mercedes B Class

Costs and Consumption

Price
39,900 - 91,000 £
Price
33,100 - 52,500 £
Consumption L/100km
2.4 - 10.1 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
5.1 - 6.9 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
133 - 156 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
MPV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,575 - 1,960 kg
Curb weight
1,405 - 1,565 kg
Trunk capacity
375 - 480 L
Trunk capacity
445 - 455 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,827 - 1,903 mm
Width
1,796 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
405 - 495 kg
Payload
515 - 550 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel
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
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 530 HP
Power HP
116 - 238 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.5 - 10 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
250 - 700 Nm
Torque
200 - 400 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
110 - 390 kW
Power kW
85 - 175 kW
Engine capacity
1,995 - 2,998 cm3
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,991 cm3

General

Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F
Brand
BMW
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
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.