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BMW 3 Series Saloon vs VW Crafter comparison

Compare performance (530 HP vs 177 HP), boot space and price (39,900 £ vs 47,100 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 3 Series Saloon or VW Crafter?

BMW 3 Series Saloon vs VW Crafter: Key differences

BMW 3 Series Saloon

  • slightly cheaper
  • significantly more power
  • considerably more efficient
  • clearly lighter
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VW Crafter

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By Achim Sedelmaier

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

3 Series Saloon

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.

BMW 3 Series Saloon is slightly cheaper – starting at 39,900 £ , while the VW Crafter costs 47,100 £ . That’s a price difference of around 7,182 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the BMW 3 Series Saloon uses 2.4 L/100km and is considerably more efficient than the VW Crafter with 8.4 L/100km. The difference is about 6 L/100km.

Crafter

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 significantly more power – delivering 530 HP compared to 177 HP. That’s roughly 353 HP more horsepower.

There’s also a difference in torque: the BMW 3 Series Saloon delivers considerably more torque with 700 Nm compared to 410 Nm. That’s about 290 Nm more.

3 Series Saloon

Space and Everyday Use:

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

Seats: BMW 3 Series Saloon offers more seats – 5 vs 2.

In terms of curb weight, BMW 3 Series Saloon is clearly lighter – 1,575 kg compared to 2,072 kg. The difference is around 497 kg.

When it comes to payload, the VW Crafter carries significantly more – 2,994 kg compared to 495 kg. That’s a difference of about 2,499 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The BMW 3 Series Saloon stands well ahead of its rival 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
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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.

VW Crafter

The VW Crafter is a no-nonsense workhorse that makes hauling and running a mobile business feel almost civilized, with a cabin built for long days and smart storage where you need it. It may not turn heads for glamour, but its sturdy build, straightforward tech and reliable manners mean fewer headaches for owners — a van that prefers to earn your trust rather than demand attention.

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Reviews VW Crafter

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

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Costs and Consumption
Price
39,900 - 91,000 £
Price
47,100 - 68,800 £
Consumption L/100km
2.4 - 10.1 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
8.4 - 13.1 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
220 - 342 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
75 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
Cargo Van
Seats
5
Seats
2
Doors
-
Doors
4
Curb weight
1,575 - 1,960 kg
Curb weight
2,072 - 2,810 kg
Trunk capacity
375 - 480 L
Trunk capacity
-
Length
-
Length
5,986 - 7,391 mm
Width
1,827 - 1,903 mm
Width
2,040 - 2,069 mm
Height
-
Height
2,355 - 2,830 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
9,300 - 18,400 L
Payload
405 - 495 kg
Payload
1,037 - 2,994 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Diesel
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox, Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 530 HP
Power HP
140 - 177 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
-
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
90 - 165 km/h
Torque
250 - 700 Nm
Torque
360 - 410 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
110 - 390 kW
Power kW
103 - 130 kW
Engine capacity
1,995 - 2,998 cm3
Engine capacity
1,968 cm3

General
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2,017 - 2,023
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
BMW
Brand
VW
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.