2023 BMW 3 Series vs 2024 Honda Civic

The 2023 BMW 3 Series, a staple of the Bavarian brand since 1975, underwent a subtle yet sporty refresh for its seventh-generation model. The exterior design retained its narrow kidney grille and introduced redesigned full-LED headlights with inverted L-shaped daytime running lights. The front fascia's lower air intakes were reshaped, leading to flared rear-wheel arches, creating a striking first impression. Standard 18-inch double-spoke light alloys, with an optional 19-inch upgrade, added to its sporty appeal. Inside, the 3 Series featured the advanced BMW iDrive 8 system with a 27.2-inch BMW Curved Display, offering a driver-centric cockpit with a minimalist dashboard design.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si continued the tradition of compact, quick, and fun cars, offering a sport-injected version of the Civic sedan. Its exterior featured LED headlights, a unique upper grille insert, a gloss-black lip spoiler, dual exhaust outlets, and 18-inch matte-black wheels. The Civic Si maintained a stealth-mode styling, with discreet "Si" badges and a mix of vivid and subtle paint colors. Inside, the Civic Si was more expressive with red seat and door panel inserts, gloss black surfaces, and polished metal detailing. The cabin included a metal mesh strip hiding the dashboard air vents and a touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by metal pedal covers and an aluminum shift knob.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series offered a range of powertrains, including a twin-turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the 330i and 330e, and a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six for the M340i. The 330i produced 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds. The 330e, with its electric motor, delivered 288 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.6 seconds with up to 22 miles of electric-only range. The M340i, featuring a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, offered 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Fuel economy varied slightly across trims, with the 330i achieving 29 mpg combined, the 330e 28 combined mpg, and the M340i 26 combined mpg. The 330i, equipped with the M Sport package, provided a comfortable ride with precise steering, excelling in urban settings and offering a fun driving experience on curvy roads.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si featured a high-output turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. It paired with a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission with a downshift rev-matching feature. The Civic Si's drivetrain included a single-mass lightweight flywheel and a helical limited-slip differential, enhancing cornering performance. Larger brakes, thicker suspension stabilizer bars, and a dual-pinion variable-ratio steering system were standard. The Civic Si offered Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, adjusting throttle response and steering effort. In urban settings, the Civic Si was docile, with a firm yet comfortable suspension. On highways, it provided good passing power, though it could be noisy. The Civic Si excelled on twisty roads, with excellent steering and grip, though a braking issue was noted during testing. The EPA rated the Civic Si at 31 mpg combined, with a tested average of 29.5 mpg.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series offered a compact yet comfortable interior, with 38.7 inches of headroom and 42 inches of legroom in the front, and 37.6 inches of headroom and 35.2 inches of legroom in the rear. Standard SensaTec faux leather upholstery and power-adjustable front sport seats provided support, though the seat bottom cushion was stiff. The interior featured a leather steering wheel, intuitive ergonomics, and the iconic iDrive controller knob. Cargo capacity was 17 cubic feet, with a 40/20/40-split rear seat for larger items. Standard features included a power moonroof, with options for heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and remote start.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si balanced practicality with performance, featuring sport-bolstered cloth seats and a manual driver's seat height adjuster. The Civic Si's low stance required effort to enter and exit, and more seat-track travel and console padding would enhance comfort. Standard features included single-zone automatic climate control, heated mirrors, and a power sunroof, though heated seats and rear-seat vents were absent. The back seat was roomy, with generous legroom, and cargo space was 14.4 cubic feet, accommodating full-size suitcases. A 60/40-split folding back seat and hidden trunk storage added versatility.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series featured the advanced BMW iDrive 8 system, with a 12.3-inch driver information display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen. The system offered intuitive touch functionality, customizable widgets, and voice control via BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. Standard tech included USB-C ports, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a 10-speaker sound system, and over-the-air updates. Optional features included wireless charging, a premium Harman Kardon sound system, and a 5G hotspot.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, lacking native navigation but offering Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and HD Radio. Pairing an iPhone and using Apple CarPlay was seamless, with easy navigation back to the native environment. The system included physical controls for volume and tuning, and steering wheel controls for audio and data panels. A 12-speaker Bose audio system provided impressive sound quality, thanks to early collaboration with Honda.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA, though the PHEV model was unrated. The IIHS had not rated the 2023 model, but the 2022 model earned a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, LED headlights, BMW Assist eCall, and Active Guard. Optional packages added features like blind spot detection, lane-departure warning, and semi-autonomous driving systems.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si included the Honda Sensing suite, with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. However, some features were irksome, particularly lane-keeping and lane-centering assist. The Civic Si earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, though it received an Acceptable rating in some crash tests.