Verdict
The BMW 3 Series is the sharper numerical performance pick: its 300 Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre, rear-wheel-drive layout reaches 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, against the Camry’s 8.9 seconds, and it adds a 480-litre boot with a 40:20:40 folding rear bench. But the Toyota Camry gives you 524 litres of luggage room, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera and a five-year warranty. Its RM867 annual road tax is steep beside the BMW’s RM379, yet the Camry costs RM46,000 less to buy.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want rear-wheel drive, 300 Nm and a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time, plus a folding rear seat and automatic parking.
Pick the Toyota Camry if you want to spend less, carry more luggage and get adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera and a five-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; Toyota Camry RM221,800.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and 235 km/h; Toyota Camry 8.9 seconds and 210 km/h.
- Output: BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm; Toyota Camry 201 hp and 246 Nm.
- Driveline: BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive; Toyota Camry front-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; Toyota Camry 524 litres.
- Warranty: BMW 3 Series two years standard/five years extended; Toyota Camry five years standard.
3 Series
- 300 Nm turbo torque and 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Rear-wheel drive with an eight-speed ZF Steptronic Sport automatic
- 40:20:40 folding rear seats, auto parking and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio
- RM379 annual road tax versus the Camry's RM867 is lower, but its standard warranty is only two years versus five years
- 480-litre boot is 44 litres smaller than the Camry's
- Passive cruise control instead of adaptive cruise control
Camry
- RM46,000 lower purchase price and a five-year warranty
- 524-litre boot, 44 litres larger than the BMW's
- Adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree reverse camera
- 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.5 seconds behind the BMW
- 246 Nm is 54 Nm down on the BMW
- Fixed rear seats, where the BMW gets a 40:20:40 split-folding bench
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800 | RM221,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM867 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with dual variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm✓ | 246 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | Direct Shift 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds✓ | 8.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,920 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,825 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 1,565 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 524 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | Space Saver |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Power Adjustable 4-way Ottoman Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | Fixed Rear Seats |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Rear Sun Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 9-speaker JBL Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used 3 Series & Camry for sale
3 Series vs Camry FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Toyota Camry better?
The BMW 3 Series is better for performance, with rear-wheel drive, 300 Nm and a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time. The Toyota Camry is better for lower purchase cost, boot space, adaptive cruise control and its five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series costs RM267,800 and the Toyota Camry costs RM221,800, so the BMW is RM46,000 more expensive.
Which has the more practical boot?
The Toyota Camry has the larger boot at 524 litres versus 480 litres for the BMW 3 Series. However, the BMW has a 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat, while the Camry's rear seats are fixed.