2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
2023 BMW 3-Series
2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs. 2023 BMW 3-Series
The top two competitors in the European compact executive car segment are the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3-Series. Both models enjoy a strong following in the United States and offer a holistic mix of luxury, performance, and style in their segment.
The 2023 C-Class is based on the W206 generation that was introduced in 2021. The new C-Class offers similar styling to its bigger S-Class sibling on the inside and out. The 2023 3-Series is based on the G20 generation, which saw the light of day in 2018 and received its mid-life facelift in 2022.
Here, we'll compare the C-Class vs. 3-Series to discover which one comes out on top. The metrics are their interior, performance, and safety characteristics in this Mercedes-Benz vs. BMW comparison. If you wish to know more about the 2023 C-Class, the team at Mercedes-Benz of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, VA, is happy to answer all your questions.
Interior Comparison
The 2023 C-Class and 2023 3-Series are evenly matched in terms of cabin space, at 94 and 95 cubic feet, respectively. They both seat five adults in comfort, and offer an impressive array of standard kit that includes powered and heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a digital instrument cluster.
The 2023 C-Class comes with a portrait-oriented 12.3-inch touch screen, which is ergonomically superior to the 14.9-inch widescreen unit on the 2023 3-Series. Both cars support Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ and come with regular plus HD radio, Wi-Fi hotspot, and an AUX port. The 2023 C-Class offers a Burmester sound system upgrade, while the 2023 3-Series can be optioned with a Harman/Kardon sound system if desired.
Mercedes-Benz's latest MBUX system also offers a voice-activated digital assistant, and the car features a fingerprint sensor to authenticate the driver and adjust their memory settings. These are not available on BMW's iDrive system.
Performance Comparison
The 2023 C-Class comes with two powertrain options. The Mercedes-AMG variants are not included in this comparison. The C300 comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that delivers 255 horsepower to the rear wheels through a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic gearbox. The C300 4MATIC adds an all-wheel-drive system.
BMW offers three powertrain options for the 2023 3-Series. The M3 is not part of this matchup. The base level 2023 3-Series is the 330i, which sees a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that puts out 255 horsepower. The next step is the 330e hybrid, which delivers a system total of 288 horsepower. The top option (below the M3) is the M340i, which enjoys a turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line 6-cylinder engine that delivers 388 horsepower. An 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and rear-wheel-drive are standard across the range, but an all-wheel-drive system can be optioned.
While both cars have a similar powertrain specification in their base trim, it's interesting to note that the 2023 C-Class offers better fuel efficiency due to its nine-speed gearbox. The 2023 C-Class can also travel further between top-ups thanks to its 17.4-gallon fuel tank, while the 3-Series only offers a 15.6-gallon tank.
Safety Features Comparison
The 2023 C-Class and 2023 3-Series are packed with standard safety features, as you'd expect from the segment. They've got at least eight airbags, stability control, traction control, child safety locks, standard automated emergency braking, backup camera, tire pressure monitoring system, and brake assist. The 2023 C-Class also includes standard blind-spot monitoring and pedestrian detection, which is optional on the 2023 3-Series.
Find the 2023 C-Class in Lynchburg, VA
Mercedes-Benz once again hits it out of the park with a comprehensive compact executive car package in the form of the 2023 C-Class. Offering the best of the automaker's tech, better fuel economy, and more safety features as standard, the 2023 C-Class dethrones the 2023 3-Series in this Mercedes-Benz vs. BMW comparison. If you'd like to check out a 2023 C-Class, swing by Mercedes-Benz of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, VA, to take one for a test drive.
