A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
03T and 3 Series are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
03T starts ZAR 271,600 cheaper03T from ZAR 639,900 · 3 Series from ZAR 911,500
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
03T
3 Series
Maximum Power
03T135 kW
3 Series285 kW
Maximum Torque
03T220 Nm
3 Series500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
Engine Size
03TNot Applicable
3 Series2998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
03TNot applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
3 Series12.5 km/l
Ground Clearance
03T190 mm
3 Series140 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
iCAUR 03T
2WD
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
03T
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Specification evidence leader
3 Series
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Which One's Right for You?
03T
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
3 Series
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
03T
3 Series
Model Introduced Year
2026
2019
Generation
South African May 2026 local specification sheet for the current 03T generation.
Seventh-generation G20 BMW 3 Series Sedan, with regular 320i, 320d and 330i derivatives and an M340i xDrive M Performance flagship.
Body Style
SUV
Sedan
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Published
active
Segment
Electric SUV
Premium Sedan
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
Car
Facelift History
-
The seventh-generation G20 has received successive design and interior updates; the current South African page reflects the latest local specification.
Facelift Launched Since
-
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
-
Current
Spec
03T
3 Series
Length
4433 mm
4714 mm
Width
1916 mm
1827 mm
Height
1741 mm
1440 mm
Wheelbase
2715 mm
2851 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
190 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
165 mm
125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
59 l
Boot/Cargo Space
450 L rear seats up; 1,238 L with rear seats folded; 40 L rear storage box
480 l
Kerb Weight
1600–1950 kg
1770 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2173 kg
2245 kg
Payload Capacity
350–650 kg
550 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.9 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
1020 mm
990 mm
Rear Headroom
990 mm
951 mm
Front Legroom
1060 mm
1040 mm
Rear Legroom
970 mm
900 mm
Towing Capacity
-
1800 kg
Spec
03T
3 Series
Engine
Battery electric drive; no combustion engine
BMW turbocharged engine
Engine Code
Not Applicable
B48
Fuel Type
Electric
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
2998 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
6
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Inline
Valves
Not Applicable
16
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
4
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Direct injection
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
10.5:1
Bore
Not Applicable
82.0 mm
Stroke
Not Applicable
94.6 mm
Maximum Power
135 kW
285 kW
Maximum Torque
220 Nm
500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Electric traction motor
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Rear axle
Not Applicable
Drive Type
RWD
AWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
150 km/h
250 km/h
0-100 km/h
10.5 sec
4.3 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
12.2 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Custom
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
7000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
100 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
220 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
65.69 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
64.2 kWh
Not Applicable
Battery Type
LFP
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Range
431 km
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
6.6 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
30 min (30-80%)
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Spec
03T
3 Series
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
2WD
All-wheel drive
Transfer Case
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not applicable — no conventional stepped gearbox
Yes
Number of Gears
1
8
Transmission Type
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
Yes
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Applicable
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Electric shift gear
Automatic selector
Drivetrain
2WD
AWD
4WD Engagement
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not applicable — no conventional stepped gearbox
Yes
Gearbox Type
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Electric drive axle(s); configuration depends on derivative
Yes
Transmission Speeds
1
8
LSD Available
-
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
-
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
-
Yes
Front Differential Lock
-
Not Applicable
Rear Differential Lock
-
Not Applicable
Spec
03T
3 Series
Claimed Mileage
Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
12.5 km/l
City Mileage
Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
10.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
15.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
59 l
Emission Standard
Zero tailpipe emissions (BEV)
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not applicable — no combustion engine
Standard
Real-world Mileage
Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
12.5 km/l
Charging Type
AC and DC charging; V2L external discharge 3.3 kW
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
59
Combined Driving Range
431 km
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
18.3 kWh/100 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
292 km
360 km
Range Real World Mixed
344 km
420 km
Charging Port Type
-
Not Applicable
Spec
03T
3 Series
Airbags
Dual front, front side and side curtain airbags
6
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Standard
Brake Assist
Yes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Direct tyre pressure monitoring
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Body anti-theft alarm and anti-theft horn
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Driver and front passenger seatbelt reminders
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Front parking sensors
Yes
AEB
Automatic emergency braking
Yes
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Yes
Standard
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front pretensioner seat belts
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Yes
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Child Safety Lock
-
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
-
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
Yes
Knee Airbag
-
Yes
Spec
03T
3 Series
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Lane keeping assistance
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Lane keeping assistance
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Blind-spot detection
Yes
Parking Sensors
Front and rear parking sensors
Yes
Rear View Camera
Reverse camera
Yes
360 Degree Camera
540° HD panoramic image
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Automatic emergency braking
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Automatic highbeam control
Standard
Auto Wipers
Auto speed-sensing front wiper
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Rear parking sensors
Yes
Reverse Camera
Reverse camera
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Around View Monitor
540° HD panoramic image
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Blind-spot detection
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Forward collision warning
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
-
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
-
Yes
Park Assist
-
Standard
Spec
03T
3 Series
Seat Material
Leather seats
Leather 'Vernasca' Black with contrast stitching Blue
Heated Seats
Not fitted to 2WD local sheet
Yes
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Yes
Ambient Lighting
Multi-colour ambient light
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Leather steering wheel
Yes
60 40 Split Seat
Foldable second-row seats
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way power adjustment
Electric with driver memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way power adjustment
Electric multi-way
Seat Trim
Leather
M Sport Seats
Spec
03T
3 Series
Climate Control
Power air conditioner
Standard
Power Windows
Yes
Standard
Keyless Entry
Remote central locking; passive keyless access equipment-dependent
Comfort Access
Push Button Start
Electronic engine start/stop or EV power-on control
Yes
Wireless Charging
50 W wireless phone charging
Standard
Sunroof
Panoramic sunroof with anti-pinch
Glass sunroof, electric (no sliding-roof function)
Electric Tailgate
Powered tailgate optional on applicable hatch/SUV bodies
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
Automatic rain-sensing wipers optional or equipment-dependent
Yes
AC Type
Power air conditioner
Standard
Spec
03T
3 Series
Infotainment System
15.6 in touchscreen infotainment
Widescreen Display
Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Yes
Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
8
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
9.2 in LCD cluster
BMW Live Cockpit Professional (includes head-up display)
USB Ports
1 USB Type-C plus 3 USB ports
2
Infotainment Screen
15.6 in
14.9
Touchscreen
15.6 in
14.9
Spec
03T
3 Series
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED daytime running lights
Standard
Fog Lamps
Rear fog lamp
Yes
Roof Rails
Body style and optional package dependent; not confirmed for this exact derivative
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Carbon Crystal Black; Toronto Red; Starlight Silver; Cyan Grey; Khaki; White
Multiple manufacturer colours
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Panoramic sunroof with anti-pinch
Yes
Spec
03T
3 Series
Terrain Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Custom
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
All-wheel drive
Approach Angle
-
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
-
Not Applicable
Wading Depth
-
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
-
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
-
Not Applicable
Spec
03T
3 Series
Tyre Size
245/55 R19
Runflat tyres
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Wheel Rim Size
19 in
19" M Lt/Aly wheels double spoke 792 M Bicolour Jet Black / MT and runflat tyres
Spare Wheel Type
-
Tyre repair kit
Handbrake Type
-
Electronic
Spec
03T
3 Series
Front Suspension
McPherson Strut
M Sports Suspension
Rear Suspension
Multi-Link
M Sports Suspension
Spec
03T
3 Series
CO2 Emissions
Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
182 g/km
Spec
03T
3 Series
Service Plan
5 years/100,000 km service plan in the official South African press material; confirm final booklet.
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
Spec
03T
3 Series
Ownership Role
Current local retail price; confirm quotation inclusions, warranty and service plan with iCAUR South Africa.
Private, business and fleet
Price Zar
639900 ZAR
1362500 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price
Current recommended retail price
Starting Price
639900
1362500
Starting Price Zar
639900
1362500
Spec
03T
3 Series
Warranty
Vehicle warranty 8 years/200,000 km; high-voltage battery warranty 8 years/160,000 km in official South African press material.
Yes
In depth: how these cars differ
This 03T and 3 Series comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: 03T 51 vs 3 Series 97.
Efficiency index: 03T 99 vs 3 Series 49.
Safety-equipment index: 03T 93 vs 3 Series 92.
Practicality index: 03T 64 vs 3 Series 62.
Ownership-cover index: 03T not separately scored vs 3 Series not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
03T and 3 Series image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
3 Series leads by 2 points
03T and 3 Series are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
3 Series
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
49/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
62/100
03T
Performance
51/100
Efficiency
99/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
64/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW 3 Series
leads the specification evidence index with 77 pts
vs 75 pts for 03T
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, 3 Series leads. However, 03T may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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