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.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
2 Series Gran Coupé
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
3 Series
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
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Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
Model Introduced Year
2025
2019
Generation
Second-generation F74 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé with four doors, frameless side windows and a coupé-influenced roofline.
Seventh-generation G20 BMW 3 Series Sedan, with regular 320i, 320d and 330i derivatives and an M340i xDrive M Performance flagship.
Facelift History
F74 is the current second-generation South African launch version; no local facelift has been announced.
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
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Sedan
Sedan
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Premium Sedan
Premium Sedan
Vehicle Type
Car
Car
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
Length
4546 mm
4714 mm
Width
1800 mm
1827 mm
Height
1445 mm
1440 mm
Wheelbase
2670 mm
2851 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
140 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
49 l
59 l
Boot/Cargo Space
430 l
480 l
Kerb Weight
1650 kg
1770 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2130 kg
2245 kg
Payload Capacity
555 kg
550 kg
Towing Capacity
750 kg
1800 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
4 doors
4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
998 mm
990 mm
Rear Headroom
950 mm
951 mm
Front Legroom
1030 mm
1040 mm
Rear Legroom
899 mm
900 mm
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
Engine
BMW turbocharged engine
BMW turbocharged engine
Engine Code
B48
B48
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1998 cc
2998 cc
Cylinders
4
6
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Direct injection
Direct injection
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
10.5:1
Bore
82.0 mm
82.0 mm
Stroke
94.6 mm
94.6 mm
Maximum Power
233 kW
285 kW
Maximum Torque
400 Nm @ 2000-4500 rpm
500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
AWD
Transmission
7-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
250 km/h
250 km/h
0-100 km/h
4.9 sec
4.3 sec
Quarter Mile
12.2 sec
12.2 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
7000 rpm
7000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
100 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
220 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
Gearbox
7-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive
All-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
Yes
Number of Gears
7
8
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Automatic selector
Drivetrain
AWD
AWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Yes
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Yes
Yes
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
7
8
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
Claimed Mileage
12.5 km/l
12.5 km/l
City Mileage
10.5 km/l
10.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
15.0 km/l
15.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
49 l
59 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Standard
Real-world Mileage
12.5 km/l
12.5 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
49
59
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
360 km
360 km
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
420 km
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Yes
AEB
Yes
Yes
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
Yes
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Parking Sensors
Yes
Yes
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Standard
Auto Wipers
Yes
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Park Assist
Standard
Standard
Around View Monitor
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Yes
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
Seat Material
Leather/Sensatec
Leather 'Vernasca' Black with contrast stitching Blue
Heated Seats
Yes
Yes
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Yes
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Yes
Yes
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric with driver memory
Electric with driver memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
Electric multi-way
Seat Trim
M Sport Seats
M Sport Seats
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
Climate Control
Standard
Standard
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Yes
Comfort Access
Push Button Start
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
Yes
Standard
Sunroof
Panoramic
Glass sunroof, electric (no sliding-roof function)
Electric Tailgate
No
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Yes
AC Type
Standard
Standard
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
Infotainment System
Yes
Widescreen Display
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Yes
Android Auto
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
6
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3
BMW Live Cockpit Professional (includes head-up display)
USB Ports
2
2
Infotainment Screen
14.9
14.9
Touchscreen
14.9
14.9
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Yes
Yes
Roof Rails
Yes
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
Multiple manufacturer colours
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Yes
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
All-wheel drive
All-wheel drive
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
Tyre Size
Runflat tyres
Runflat tyres
Front Brake Type
M Sport brake, dark blue metallic
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
M Sport brake, dark blue metallic
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
18"M light alloy wheels Y spoke style 975 M Bicolour with runflat tyres
19" M Lt/Aly wheels double spoke 792 M Bicolour Jet Black / MT and runflat tyres
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electronic
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
Front Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
M Sports Suspension
Rear Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
M Sports Suspension
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
CO2 Emissions
1 g/km
182 g/km
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
Ownership Role
Private, business and fleet
Private, business and fleet
Price Zar
1035500 ZAR
1362500 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
Current recommended retail price
Starting Price
1035500
1362500
Starting Price Zar
1035500
1362500
Spec
2 Series Gran Coupé
3 Series
Warranty
Yes
Yes
In depth: how these cars differ
This 2 Series Gran Coupé 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: 2 Series Gran Coupé 91 vs 3 Series 97.
Efficiency index: 2 Series Gran Coupé 57 vs 3 Series 49.
Safety-equipment index: 2 Series Gran Coupé 92 vs 3 Series 92.
Practicality index: 2 Series Gran Coupé 55 vs 3 Series 62.
Ownership-cover index: 2 Series Gran Coupé 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
2 Series Gran Coupé 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
2 Series Gran Coupé and 3 Series are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
3 Series +6
Efficiency
2 Series Gran Coupé +8
Safety
Level
Practicality
3 Series +7
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
2 Series Gran Coupé
Performance
91/100
Efficiency
57/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
55/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW 3 Series
leads the specification evidence index with 77 pts
vs 75 pts for 2 Series Gran Coupé
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, 3 Series leads. However, 2 Series Gran Coupé 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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