BMW 3 Series vs Toyota Camry
Verdict
At RM265,800 against RM221,800, the BMW 3 Series asks for RM44,000 more but pays it back in pace: 0-100 km/h takes 7.4 seconds versus 8.9, and top speed is 235 km/h against 210 km/h. It also has rear-wheel drive and 300 Nm. The Toyota Camry counters with a bigger 2,487 cc engine, 201 hp, a longer 4,920 mm body, 524-litre boot, seven airbags and a five-year warranty. The catch is road tax: RM867 a year, versus RM379 for the BMW.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the quicker rear-driven sedan and can accept the smaller boot, shorter warranty and higher purchase price.
Pick the Toyota Camry if you want more boot space, more airbags, a longer warranty and a lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM265,800; Toyota Camry RM221,800
- Engine/output: BMW 3 Series 1,998 cc, 184 hp/300 Nm; Toyota Camry 2,487 cc, 201 hp/246 Nm
- Performance: BMW 3 Series 0-100 km/h in 7.4 s, 235 km/h top speed; Toyota Camry 8.9 s, 210 km/h
- Size/boot: BMW 3 Series 4,709 mm long, 480 L; Toyota Camry 4,920 mm long, 524 L
- Wheelbase/drive: BMW 3 Series 2,851 mm, rear-wheel drive; Toyota Camry 2,825 mm, front-wheel drive
- Warranty/road tax: BMW 3 Series 2 years, RM379/year; Toyota Camry 5 years, RM867/year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 265,800 | RM 221,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,998 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Power | 184 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm✓ | 246 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 7.4 s✓ | 8.9 s |
| 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 |
| Boot space | 480 L | 524 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 59 L | 60 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 5✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | RM 867 |
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.
3 Series
- Quicker 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Rear-wheel drive with 300 Nm
- Lower RM379 annual road tax
- RM44,000 higher purchase price
- Smaller 480-litre boot
- Shorter two-year warranty
Camry
- Cheaper by RM44,000
- Larger 524-litre boot
- Seven airbags and five-year warranty
- Slower 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Higher RM867 annual road tax
- Less torque at 246 Nm
3 Series vs Camry FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Toyota Camry better?
The BMW 3 Series is better for performance, with 7.4 seconds to 100 km/h and rear-wheel drive. The Toyota Camry is the better practical buy, with a bigger boot, seven airbags and a five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Camry is RM44,000 cheaper than the BMW 3 Series.
Which car has more space?
The Toyota Camry is longer at 4,920 mm and has a 524-litre boot. The BMW 3 Series is shorter at 4,709 mm with a 480-litre boot, though its 2,851 mm wheelbase is slightly longer.