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BMW 2 Series vs Mazda 3

What's the difference?

VS
BMW 2 Series
BMW 2 Series

$46,990 - $69,990

2023 price

Mazda 3
Mazda 3

$26,880 - $55,682

2024 price

Summary

2023 BMW 2 Series
2024 Mazda 3
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 3, 1.5L

Inline 4, 2.5L
Fuel Type
-

Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
5.9L/100km (combined)

6.6L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Why $7000 more than the hatch?
  • Lacklustre warranty term
  • Cheap feeling leather trim

  • Small boot
  • Gloomy rear seat
  • No more manual
2023 BMW 2 Series Summary

You’d be forgiven for thinking there aren’t many sedans left on sale in Australia, thanks to the massive shift in buyer preference to SUVs.

But while mainstream carmakers like Ford, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Volkswagen and a lot more have scaled back their booted offerings, premium brands are yet to give up on sedans.

BMW alone has seven sedan models in its line-up ranging from small offerings like the 2 Series Gran Coupe all the way up to the 7 Series and 8 Series.

We are focusing on the former for this review, in entry level 218i guise. It’s a sleek sedan that certainly catches the eye, but can it compete with similarly priced SUVs in our crossover-loving country?

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Interested in a BMW 2 Series?
2024 Mazda 3 Summary

Half a decade on, the current-generation Mazda 3 has weathered a world of change.

Cheap cars have vanished. Electric vehicles are commonplace and the small car class it belongs to has been decimated by SUVs. Big names like the Ford Focus, Holden Astra and Mitsubishi Lancer are history.

But while it looks identical to the car unveiled at the 2018 LA Auto Show, today’s Mazda 3 has also evolved, albeit gently.

Let’s see how competitive the latest and improved (as well as more expensive) version is.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 BMW 2 Series 2024 Mazda 3

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