2021 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Subaru Impreza
Overview | |
MSRP$41,250 | MSRP$18,795 |
Average price$32,211 | Average price$20,504 |
Listings1895 | Listings420 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews6.8 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.7 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
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2021 BMW 3 Series Reviews SummaryEarly generations of the BMW 3 Series redefined what a luxury car could be, justifying their prestige badge with sporty driving dynamics and impeccable engineering. BMW changed the luxury-car paradigm, proving that nimble sports sedans could be just as desirable as wood-encrusted land yachts. The 3 Series spawned a number of imitators, including the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Lexus IS. Those sedans, along with the Acura TLX, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Cadillac CT4, and Infiniti Q50 (which wear more recently-introduced nameplates) still form the 3 Series’ competitive set, but the car itself has changed. Introduced for the 2019 model year, the current-generation 3 Series (codenamed G20) feels more like a traditional luxury sedan, with a greater emphasis on comfort and convenience than previous generations. The manual transmission is gone, as are the wagon and 3 Series GT hatchback body styles. The 3 Series coupe and convertible were re-badged as the 4 Series beginning with the 2014 model year. The biggest change for the 2021 BMW 3 Series is the addition of the 330e plug-in hybrid model to the lineup, so that’s what we test drove for this review. BMW also offers 330i and M340i versions, and there’s an M3 performance model on the way. | |
2021 Subaru Impreza Reviews SummarySubaru developed a cult following thanks to cars like the Impreza. Thanks to standard all-wheel drive (AWD), the Impreza has been a hit in wintry climates, offering the low operating costs of a compact car without the limited foul-weather capability of the mostly front-wheel drive (FWD) competition. The current Impreza represents the model’s fifth generation, and dates back to the 2017 model year. Available in sedan and hatchback form, the Impreza has also spawned the sporty Subaru WRX and more rugged looking Subaru Crosstrek, which have overshadowed the basic Impreza to some extent. We’ll cover the WRX and Crosstrek in separate reviews. Changes for the 2021 model year are limited to availability of SI-Drive drive modes on the Impreza Premium trim level (this feature was previously available only on the Impreza Sport) and a $100 price increase. The full Impreza lineup remains unchanged, encompassing base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trim levels for both the sedan and hatchback. Consequently, we’ll look back on our experience with previous model years for this overview. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 255 hp I4 | Engine2.0L 152 hp H4 |
Drive TrainRWD | Drive TrainAWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower255 hp @ 5000 rpm | Horsepower152 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City26 | MPG City28 |
MPG Highway36 | MPG Highway36 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 255 hp I4 | Engine Name2.0L 152 hp H4 |
Torque295 lb-ft @ 1450 rpm | Torque145 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm |
Horsepower255 hp @ 5000 rpm | Horsepower152 hp @ 6000 rpm |
DrivetrainRWD | DrivetrainAWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City26 | MPG City28 |
MPG Highway36 | MPG Highway36 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation System |
Sunroof/MoonroofStandard | Sunroof/Moonroof |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space13.0 cu ft | Cargo Space12.3 cu ft |
Curb Weight3589 lbs | Curb Weight2976 lbs |
Height56.8 in | Height57.3 in |
Length185.7 in | Length182.7 in |
Width81.4 in | Width79.4 in |
Wheelbase112.2 in | Wheelbase105.1 in |
Maximum Payload | Maximum Payload1323 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $41,250 | $18,795 |
Average price | $32,211 | $20,504 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Expert reviews | 6.8 out of 10Read full review | 7.7 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | Early generations of the BMW 3 Series redefined what a luxury car could be, justifying their prestige badge with sporty driving dynamics and impeccable engineering. BMW changed the luxury-car paradigm, proving that nimble sports sedans could be just as desirable as wood-encrusted land yachts. The 3 Series spawned a number of imitators, including the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Lexus IS. Those sedans, along with the Acura TLX, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Cadillac CT4, and Infiniti Q50 (which wear more recently-introduced nameplates) still form the 3 Series’ competitive set, but the car itself has changed. Introduced for the 2019 model year, the current-generation 3 Series (codenamed G20) feels more like a traditional luxury sedan, with a greater emphasis on comfort and convenience than previous generations. The manual transmission is gone, as are the wagon and 3 Series GT hatchback body styles. The 3 Series coupe and convertible were re-badged as the 4 Series beginning with the 2014 model year. The biggest change for the 2021 BMW 3 Series is the addition of the 330e plug-in hybrid model to the lineup, so that’s what we test drove for this review. BMW also offers 330i and M340i versions, and there’s an M3 performance model on the way. | Subaru developed a cult following thanks to cars like the Impreza. Thanks to standard all-wheel drive (AWD), the Impreza has been a hit in wintry climates, offering the low operating costs of a compact car without the limited foul-weather capability of the mostly front-wheel drive (FWD) competition. The current Impreza represents the model’s fifth generation, and dates back to the 2017 model year. Available in sedan and hatchback form, the Impreza has also spawned the sporty Subaru WRX and more rugged looking Subaru Crosstrek, which have overshadowed the basic Impreza to some extent. We’ll cover the WRX and Crosstrek in separate reviews. Changes for the 2021 model year are limited to availability of SI-Drive drive modes on the Impreza Premium trim level (this feature was previously available only on the Impreza Sport) and a $100 price increase. The full Impreza lineup remains unchanged, encompassing base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trim levels for both the sedan and hatchback. Consequently, we’ll look back on our experience with previous model years for this overview. |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 255 hp I4 | 2.0L 152 hp H4 |
Drive Train | RWD | AWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 255 hp @ 5000 rpm | 152 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City | 26 | 28 |
MPG Highway | 36 | 36 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 255 hp I4 | 2.0L 152 hp H4 |
Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 1450 rpm | 145 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm |
Horsepower | 255 hp @ 5000 rpm | 152 hp @ 6000 rpm |
Drivetrain | RWD | AWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 26 | 28 |
MPG Highway | 36 | 36 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 13.0 cu ft | 12.3 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3589 lbs | 2976 lbs |
Height | 56.8 in | 57.3 in |
Length | 185.7 in | 182.7 in |
Width | 81.4 in | 79.4 in |
Wheelbase | 112.2 in | 105.1 in |
Maximum Payload | 1323 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
By: CarGurus + AI
This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.