Certified Center
These days, our best-selling cars are Sports Activity Vehicles with some extra cargo space and ride height -- but it was BMW coupes and convertibles that put the brand on the map. Perhaps none are so revered as the legendary BMW 3 Series sports sedan. It's the car that defined the high-performance executive car market for decades, and competitors are still eating its dust today. But what if you wanted a slick-looking two-door coupe or a fun-loving convertible? The BMW 4 Series offers similar style and performance in three different body styles.
Find out what the differences are between the 2020 BMW 3 Series and 4 Series below from the expert team at McKenna BMW in Norwalk!
2020 BMW 3 Series vs. 4 Series: Design & Style
The BMW 3 Series was an all-new design for the 2019 model year, featuring the latest in BMW engineering, technology and design. Its LED headlights and chrome line exterior trim lend it a premium look. Much like its lauded predecessors, the 2020 BMW 3 Series sedan combines an engaging driving experience with a classy, refined presentation. It's available only as a sedan.
For its part, the 2020 BMW 4 Series is ever-so-slightly smaller overall than the 3 Series. It also comes standard with LED headlights, but the shadowline exterior trim blacks out the grille for a look that's sportier and sleeker. It also comes with LED fog lights as standard, a feature that isn't standard on the 2020 BMW 3 Series. Coupe and Convertible models come with four seats and two doors while the Gran Coupe gets four doors and a more traditional rear bench seat with room for a total of five occupants.
2020 BMW 3 Series vs. 4 Series: Comfort & Capacity
Both these sculpted sports cars are impressively comfortable inside, sharing standard features like SensaTec leatherette upholstery, multi-zone automatic climate control, supportive power seats and a whole lot more. You'll also get a high-quality sound system as standard. The 2020 BMW 4 Series comes standard with nine speakers and 205 watts of power for impressive quality and volume. In the 2020 BMW 3 Series, you'll enjoy 205 watts of power from 10 speakers.
When it comes to cargo storage, the 2020 BMW 3 Series is an executive sedan with a roomy trunk for the day's shopping bags or a handful of suitcases. It provides up to 17 cubic feet of cargo storage! You'll get 15.7 cubic feet of storage space in the trunk of the 2020 BMW 4 Series Coupe and 13.1 cubic feet in the Convertible. However, the 2020 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is the cargo-hauling king in this comparison. Instead of a trunk, the 4 Series Gran Coupe features a sloping rear hatchback. That gives you up to 45.9 cubic feet of space when you fold the rear seats. So, if you need a high-performance coupe that can help you haul everything from the wholesale warehouse retailer or big box store, the 2020 BMW 4 Series makes a compelling case for itself.
2020 BMW 3 Series vs. 4 Series: Multimedia Technology
With an 8.8" touchscreen display in the center stack of both these vehicles, you can stay connected and entertained on every drive. Use the touchscreen, then iDrive touchpad controller in the center console or just your voice to access navigation, communication, audio streaming and more.
The 2020 BMW 3 Series, however, takes advanced technology even further. BMW Live Cockpit Plus comes standard. It features a video gauge cluster that can show custom information like navigation directions, driver assistance feedback and more. BMW Live Cockpit isn't available on the 2020 BMW 4 Series.
2020 BMW 3 Series vs. 4 Series: Performance
The 2020 BMW 430i, the entry-level 4 Series trim, features a standard turbocharged engine that delivers 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque for a spirited drive. In the 2020 BMW 330i, you'll get 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque! So, while both vehicles are sporty performers, the additional torque means the 2020 BMW 3-Series feels even more ferocious off the line.
If you demand even more power for wide-open highways and track days, the 2020 BMW 440i features a potent turbocharged six-cylinder engine making 320 horsepower. You can also get you 2020 BMW 3 Series sedan with more power, but this one gets the "M" designation, as it's been tuned for the most engaging possible drive by the legendary M BMW motorsport division. The 2020 BMW M340i gives you the thrill and quickness of a full-blown M car at a lower price, thanks to its turbocharged inline-six engine making a blistering 382 horsepower.
Which BMW Model Is Right For You? Find Out At McKenna BMW In Norwalk
With a starting MSRP of $40,750, the 2020 BMW 330i offers an unparalleled combination of luxury, technology and driving engagement for this price. The 2020 BMW 4 Series models are a bit costlier with the 2020 BMW 430i Gran Coupe MSRP starting at $44,750. The 2020 BMW 430i Coupe starts at a almost-identical MSRP of $44,950. The style and thrill of drop-top driving in the 2020 BMW 430i Convertible can be yours for an MSRP of $53,100.
| 2020 BMW 3 Series |  | 2020 BMW 4 Series |
| $40,750 | Starting MSRP* | $44,750 |
| Sedan | Body Styles | Coupe, Gran Coupe & Convertible |
| 255 Horsepower / 295 lb-ft Torque | Standard Engine Power | 248 Horsepower / 258 lb-ft Torque |
| 26 MPG City / 36 MPG Highway | Standard Fuel Economy | 23 MPG City / 34 MPG Highway |
| Not Available | Manual Transmission | Available |
| 17.0 Cubic Feet | Cargo Volume | 15.7 Cubic Feet (Coupe), 13.1 (Convertible), 45.9 (Gran Coupe) |
| Not Available | LED Fog Lights | Standard |
| Available | Park Distance Control | Standard |
| Standard | Lane Departure Warning | Available |
| 2020 Top Safety Pick | IIHS Safety Accolades | None |
*MSRP excludes destination & handling fee of $995, tax, title, license, and registration.
AdChoices