Compare the2026 Mazda 3VS 2026 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mazda 3 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mazda 3 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Mazda 3 has standard Whiplash Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda 3 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe has not been tested.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Mazda 3 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking on the Turbo Premium Plus automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. BMW charges extra for Cross Traffic Warning on the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

Both the Mazda 3 and the 2 Series Gran Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Mazda 3 Sedan has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The 2 Series Gran Coupe has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the 3 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 2 Series Gran Coupe. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 2 Series Gran Coupe ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 54 percent more Mazda dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 3’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 28 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.

The Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 295) than the M235’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Mazda 3 Sedan 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder AWD gets better fuel mileage than the M235 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (26 city/34 hwy vs. 24 city/33 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the Mazda 3 Hatchback 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder AWD gets better fuel mileage than the M235 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (25 city/34 hwy vs. 24 city/33 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Mazda 3 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda 3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The M235 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Mazda 3 stops shorter than the 2 Series Gran Coupe:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mazda 3’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the 2 Series Gran Coupe (107.3 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Mazda 3’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Mazda 3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 350 pounds less than the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The Mazda 3 Sedan is 3.6 inches shorter than the 2 Series Gran Coupe, making the Mazda 3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Mazda 3 Sedan has .9 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, .7 inches more rear legroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Mazda 3 Premium Hatchback has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a power trunk.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Mazda 3 Premium’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Mazda 3 has standard extendable sun visors. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Mazda 3 comes in sedan and four door hatchback bodystyles; the BMW 2 Series Gran isn’t available as a four door hatchback.

The Mazda 3 has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The Mazda 3 outsold the BMW 2 Series by 40% during 2025.