2023 BMW 3 Series vs 2023 Tesla Model 3
Side-by-side EPA, NHTSA, and recall data. Winners highlighted in green when one car clearly leads.
- Best EPA combined MPG goes to the 2023 Tesla Model 3 at 132 MPG.
- Best highway MPG goes to the 2023 Tesla Model 3 at 126 MPG.
- Top NHTSA overall safety rating (5 stars) is the 2023 Tesla Model 3.
- Best rollover safety (5 stars) is the 2023 Tesla Model 3.
Car 1 2023 BMW 3 Series | Car 2 2023 Tesla Model 3 | |
|---|---|---|
Engine & efficiency | ||
| Cylinders | Not rated | Electric |
| Displacement | Not rated | Electric |
| Drive | Not rated | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel type | Not rated | Electricity |
EPA fuel economy | ||
| City MPG | Not rated | 138 |
| Highway MPG | Not rated | 126 |
| Combined MPG | Not rated | 132 |
| Annual fuel cost (EPA) | Not rated | $550 |
| CO2 tailpipe | Not rated | 0g/mi |
NHTSA safety ratings | ||
| Overall | Not rated | 5/ 5 |
| Frontal crash | Not rated | 5/ 5 |
| Side crash | Not rated | 5/ 5 |
| Rollover | Not rated | 5/ 5 |
| Stability control | Standard | Standard |
Recalls, complaints, investigations | ||
| Recalls (NHTSA) | 1 | 11 |
| Complaints filed | 10 | 411 |
| Open investigations | 0 | 12 |
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 8 Series Coupe (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (850i xDrive, M8), X3 SAV (X3 xDrive30i, X3M), X4 SAV (X4 xDrive30i), X5 SAV (X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M), X6 SAV (X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M), and Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i vehicles. The weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit's cover may not have been manufactured properly, which could allow automatic transmission oil to leak into the transmission control unit.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTSTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. One or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate.
- AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAINTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021, 2023 Model 3 vehicles. The left and/or right side curtain air bag may have been improperly secured to the roof rail, which could result in a twisted air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
- STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERINGTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
- + 8 more on file at NHTSA.
Sources: US DOT NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov) for safety ratings, recalls, and complaints. US EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov for engine, fuel economy, and emissions data. Both are free public datasets, updated by the federal agencies that own them.
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