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.
Includes a historical vehicle
Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Camry
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
3 Series
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Camry
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Model Introduced Year
2019
2019
Generation
Seventh-generation G20 BMW 3 Series Sedan, with regular 320i, 320d and 330i derivatives and an M340i xDrive M Performance flagship.
Current generation Camry on TNGA platform
Facelift History
The seventh-generation G20 has received successive design and interior updates; the current South African page reflects the latest local specification.
Latest generation with hybrid technology
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
2021
Facelift Version Ending
Current
2024
Body Style
Sedan
Sedan
Model Year
2026
2021
Production Status
active
discontinued
Segment
Premium Sedan
Sedan
Vehicle Type
Car
Sedan
Tare Mass Kg
-
1575 kg
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Length
4714 mm
4885 mm
Width
1827 mm
1840 mm
Height
1440 mm
1445 mm
Wheelbase
2851 mm
2825 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
140 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
59 l
60 l
Boot/Cargo Space
480 l
493 l
Kerb Weight
1770 kg
1575 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2245 kg
2055 kg
Payload Capacity
550 kg
480 kg
Towing Capacity
1800 kg
1600 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
4 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
5.8 m
Front Headroom
990 mm
986 mm
Rear Headroom
951 mm
941 mm
Front Legroom
1040 mm
1037 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
899 mm
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Engine
BMW turbocharged engine
2.5L Hybrid Petrol-Electric
Engine Code
B48
Market-specific engine family
Fuel Type
Petrol
Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Parallel Hybrid
Engine Displacement
2998 cc
2487 cc
Cylinders
6
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Direct injection
Dual Injection
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
14.0:1
Bore
82.0 mm
82.0 mm
Stroke
94.6 mm
94.6 mm
Maximum Power
285 kW
160 kW @ 5700 rpm
Maximum Torque
500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
221 Nm @ 3600 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
1 kW
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
1 Nm
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
1
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Integrated transmission electric motor
Drive Type
AWD
FWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
e-CVT
Top Speed
250 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
4.3 sec
8.3 sec
Quarter Mile
12.2 sec
15.5 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
7000 rpm
6500 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
1 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
64.8 kWh
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Lithium-ion
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
400 V
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
Yes
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Gearbox
8-Speed Automatic
CVT Automatic (e-CVT)
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive
Front Wheel Drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
Yes
Number of Gears
8
6
Transmission Type
Automatic
CVT Automatic (e-CVT)
Clutch Type
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Yes
Drivetrain
AWD
FWD
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
Yes
Yes
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
CVT Automatic (e-CVT)
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Yes
FWD
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
6
Engine Position
-
Front Transverse
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Claimed Mileage
12.5 km/l
19.2 km/l
City Mileage
10.5 km/l
16 km/l
Highway Mileage
15.0 km/l
21 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
59 l
60 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
19.2 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
59
60
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
360 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
Not Applicable
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Airbags
6
9
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Not Available
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
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Yes
AEB
Yes
Standard
BA
Standard
Yes
Brake Override System
Yes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Yes
Side Airbags
Yes
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
Yes
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Alarm System
-
Standard
Central Locking
-
Standard
Side Impact Beams
-
Standard
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Parking Sensors
Yes
Front and Rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Standard
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Yes
Auto Wipers
Yes
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Park Assist
Standard
Yes
Around View Monitor
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Yes
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Seat Material
Leather 'Vernasca' Black with contrast stitching Blue
Leather Sport
Heated Seats
Yes
Front
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Front
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Multi-colour
Steering Wheel Material
Yes
Yes
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric with driver memory
Manual multi-way
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
Manual multi-way
Seat Trim
M Sport Seats
Yes
Seat Adjustment
-
Electric 8-Way
Steering Type
-
Electric
Steering Adjustment
-
Tilt and Telescopic
Folding Rear Seats
-
60/40 Split
Front Armrest
-
Standard
Rear Armrest
-
Standard
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Climate Control
Standard
Dual Zone Automatic
Power Windows
Standard
All Doors
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access
Smart Entry
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Glass sunroof, electric (no sliding-roof function)
Panoramic Sunroof
Electric Tailgate
Standard
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Standard
AC Type
Standard
Dual Zone Automatic
Automatic Headlamps
-
Standard
Auto Dimming Mirror
-
Standard
Engine Start Stop
Yes
Standard
Engine Start Stop Button
Yes
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Spare Wheel
Tyre repair kit
Space Saver
Air Conditioning
Standard
Dual Zone Automatic
Rim Size
19" M Lt/Aly wheels double spoke 792 M Bicolour Jet Black / MT and runflat tyres
18-inch Sport Alloy
Sound System
6
10
Unlocking
Comfort Access
Smart Entry
Wireless Charger
Standard
Standard
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Infotainment System
Widescreen Display
12.3-inch Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Wireless
Android Auto
Yes
Wireless
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
10
Digital Instrument Cluster
BMW Live Cockpit Professional (includes head-up display)
12.3-inch Full Digital
USB Ports
2
3
Infotainment Screen
14.9
10.1
Touchscreen
14.9
10.1
Navigation System
-
Standard
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Yes
Wireless
Wireless Android Auto
Yes
Wireless
Audio Speakers
6
10
Spec
3 Series
Camry
LED Headlamps
Standard
Full LED
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
LED
Fog Lamps
Yes
LED
Roof Rails
Yes
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
Multiple manufacturer colours
Headlights
Standard
Full LED
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Yes
Alloy Wheel Design
-
18-inch Sport Alloy
Chrome Exterior Finish
-
Not Available
Body Cladding
-
Not Available
Rear Spoiler
-
Sport Rear Spoiler
DRL
Standard
LED
Led Headlights
Standard
Full LED
Daytime Running Lights
Standard
LED
Front Fog Lamps
Yes
LED
Headlamps
Standard
Full LED
Headlight Type
Standard
Full LED
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
25 deg
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
23 deg
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
500 mm
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Normal; Eco; Sport; Off-road
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
All-wheel drive
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
20 deg
Ground Clearance Max
-
140 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
140 mm
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Tyre Size
Runflat tyres
235/45 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Solid Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Space Saver
Wheel Rim Size
19" M Lt/Aly wheels double spoke 792 M Bicolour Jet Black / MT and runflat tyres
18-inch Sport Alloy
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Yes
Wheel Type
-
18-inch Sport Alloy
Brake Type Front
-
Ventilated Disc
Brake Type Rear
-
Solid Disc
Spare Tyre
Tyre repair kit
Space Saver
Wheel Diameter
19" M Lt/Aly wheels double spoke 792 M Bicolour Jet Black / MT and runflat tyres
18-inch Sport Alloy
Wheels
-
18-inch Sport Alloy
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Front Suspension
M Sports Suspension
MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension
M Sports Suspension
Multi-Link
Front Track Width
-
1575 mm
Rear Track Width
-
1580 mm
Chassis Type
-
Monocoque
Power Steering
-
Electric
Steering Column
-
Tilt and Telescopic
Front Suspension Type
M Sports Suspension
MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension Type
M Sports Suspension
Multi-Link
Spec
3 Series
Camry
CO2 Emissions
182 g/km
93 g/km
Start Stop System
-
Standard
Hybrid System Type
-
Full Parallel Hybrid
Noise Level
-
64 dB
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
Yes
Service Interval
-
15,000 km or 1 Year
Approx Service Cost
-
Approx R7,500
Battery Warranty
-
8 Years / 160,000 km
Maintenance Plan
-
Optional
Service Intervals
-
15,000 km or 1 Year
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Ownership Role
Private, business and fleet
Private and family
Price Zar
1362500 ZAR
749900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
Historical listed price
Starting Price
1362500
749900
Starting Price Zar
1362500
749900
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Warranty
Yes
3
Warranty Years
Yes
3
Warranty Kilometers
Yes
3
Roadside Assistance
-
3 Years
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
-
6 Years
Basic Warranty
Yes
3
Roadside Assistance
-
3 Years
Spec
3 Series
Camry
Real-world City Mileage Min
-
14 l/100km
Real-world City Mileage Max
-
18 l/100km
Real-world Highway Mileage Min
-
18 l/100km
Real-world Highway Mileage Max
-
22 l/100km
Owner Review Count
-
19
In depth: how these cars differ
This 3 Series and Camry 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: 3 Series 97 vs Camry 59.
Efficiency index: 3 Series 49 vs Camry 79.
Safety-equipment index: 3 Series 92 vs Camry 98.
Practicality index: 3 Series 62 vs Camry 61.
Ownership-cover index: 3 Series not separately scored vs Camry 43.
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
3 Series and Camry 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 8 points
3 Series has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Camry remains close.
Performance
3 Series +38
Efficiency
Camry +30
Safety
Camry +6
Practicality
3 Series +1
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
Camry
Performance
59/100
Efficiency
79/100
Safety
98/100
Practicality
61/100
Ownership
43/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW 3 Series
leads the specification evidence index with 77 pts
vs 69 pts for Camry
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, 3 Series leads. However, Camry 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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