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BMW 3 Series vs Tesla Model Y

What's the difference?

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BMW 3 Series
BMW 3 Series

$49,990 - $98,990

2023 price

Tesla Model Y
Tesla Model Y

$55,900 - $82,900

2025 price

Summary

2023 BMW 3 Series
2025 Tesla Model Y
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

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Fuel Efficiency
6.5L/100km (combined)

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Seating
5

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Dislikes
  • Harder ride might bother some people
  • Cosy back seat for child seats
  • Lacklustre lane keeping tech

  • Drive mode selector is silly
  • Warranty below average
  • Feels very heavy when pushed
2023 BMW 3 Series Summary

Back in the day, the 3 Series sedan was often the entry to the brand for first time BMW owners, and for good reason. They offered practical interior space without compromising on engine performance.

And they simply looked good, no boring nanny design elements. Then the 1 Series came along and price points bumped up, so how does the ‘entry’ BMW 320i M Sport live up to its long-standing reputation?

With an updated dashboard that brings the interior and tech up to market and a sharper exterior design, it more than holds its own at the table of luxury sedans, despite hard competition from the likes of the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C200 and Jaguar XE.

However, if the Merc is a placid and well-behaved mare… the BMW is the barely-broken-in bronco and it takes a certain kind of ‘rider’ to enjoy what the 320i has to offer.

I’ve been discovering just that this week with my family of three. What did we find out? Read below!

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Interested in a BMW 3 Series?
2025 Tesla Model Y Summary

I don’t think I’m overselling it to say that this is the car that could make or break Tesla in Australia and around the world. 

Crazy, right? That seemed impossible not so long ago, back when the brand appeared untouchable. But new competition, largely from China, plus the giant Musk-shaped elefant (it is German for elephant…) in the room, has seen sales and profit plummet.

Just last month, for example, the Tesla Model Y lost its best-seller crown in Australia to BYD, admittedly in the weeks before the new 'Juniper' version arrived.

The point is, a new version of its biggest seller is a Very Big Deal. But have they changed enough, and changed it well enough, to cut through the noise?

We put the cheapest variant, the Tesla Model Y RWD, to the test to find out.

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Interested in a Tesla Model Y?

Deep dive comparison

2023 BMW 3 Series 2025 Tesla Model Y

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