BMW 3 Series vs Toyota GR Supra

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.

BMW 3 Series in South Africa

BMW 3 Series

M340i xDrive Sedan Petrol 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 1,362,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 285 kW 🔧 500 Nm ⛽ 12.5 km/l
VS
Toyota GR Supra in South Africa

Toyota GR Supra

3.0T Manual Petrol 6-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 1,561,600 ex-showroom
⚡ 285 kW 🔧 500 Nm ⛽ 12 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

BMW 3 Series vs Toyota GR Supra: the short answer

3 Series has a modest catalogue-index lead, while GR Supra remains close.

3 Series starts ZAR 613,300 cheaper 3 Series from ZAR 911,500 · GR Supra from ZAR 1,524,800

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification 3 Series GR Supra
Maximum Power 3 Series285 kW GR Supra285 kW
Maximum Torque 3 Series500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm GR Supra500 Nm
Engine Size 3 Series2998 cc GR Supra2998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy 3 Series12.5 km/l GR Supra12 km/l
Ground Clearance 3 Series140 mm GR Supra117 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

3 Series

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

GR Supra

Strengths
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

3 Series

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

GR Supra

  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec 3 Series GR Supra
Model Introduced Year 2019 2021
Generation Seventh-generation G20 BMW 3 Series Sedan, with regular 320i, 320d and 330i derivatives and an M340i xDrive M Performance flagship. A90 fifth generation – co-developed with BMW on the CLAR platform
Facelift History The seventh-generation G20 has received successive design and interior updates; the current South African page reflects the latest local specification. Manual gearbox and power upgrade (280 kW→285 kW) in 2023
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version 2023
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Sedan Sedan
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Premium Sedan Sedan
Vehicle Type Car Sedan
Color Note - Matte White, Nitro Yellow, Renaissance Red, Gravure Grey, Tungsten Silver, Black
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Tare Mass Kg - 1545 kg
Spec 3 Series GR Supra
Length 4714 mm 4380 mm
Width 1827 mm 1865 mm
Height 1440 mm 1294 mm
Wheelbase 2851 mm 2470 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 140 mm 117 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 125 mm 125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 59 l 52 l
Boot/Cargo Space 480 l 290 l
Kerb Weight 1770 kg 1545 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2245 kg 1870 kg
Payload Capacity 550 kg 325 kg
Towing Capacity 1800 kg 1600 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 2 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 1 rows
Doors 4 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.6 m 6.3 m
Front Headroom 990 mm 995 mm
Rear Headroom 951 mm Not Applicable
Front Legroom 1040 mm 1040 mm
Rear Legroom 900 mm Not Applicable

In depth: how these cars differ

This 3 Series and GR Supra 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 GR Supra 94.

Efficiency index: 3 Series 49 vs GR Supra 47.

Safety-equipment index: 3 Series 92 vs GR Supra 98.

Practicality index: 3 Series 62 vs GR Supra 40.

Ownership-cover index: 3 Series not separately scored vs GR Supra 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.

Specification Evidence Index

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 10 points

3 Series has a modest catalogue-index lead, while GR Supra remains close.

Evidence leader 77 /100
Lead 10 points
Data 83% source coverage
77
#1 Evidence leader

3 Series

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Performance 97 Check Efficiency 49
Performance 97
Efficiency 49
Safety 92
Practicality 62
Leads by 10 points
67
#2

GR Supra

90% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 98 Check Practicality 40
Performance 94
Efficiency 47
Safety 98
Practicality 40
Ownership 43
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance 3 Series +3 Efficiency 3 Series +2 Safety GR Supra +6 Practicality 3 Series +22

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

3 Series

Performance 97/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 62/100

GR Supra

Performance 94/100
Efficiency 47/100
Safety 98/100
Practicality 40/100
Ownership 43/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BMW 3 Series leads the specification evidence index with 77 pts vs 67 pts for GR Supra

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, 3 Series leads. However, GR Supra 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.

3 Series
3 Series
VS
CLA Electric
CLA ElectricUpcoming
3 Series vs CLA Electric →
3 Series
3 Series
VS
5 Series
5 Series
3 Series vs 5 Series →
3 Series
3 Series
VS
E-Class
E-Class
3 Series vs E-Class →
3 Series
3 Series
VS
Mustang
Mustang
3 Series vs Mustang →
3 Series
3 Series
VS
Civic Type R
Civic Type R
3 Series vs Civic Type R →
3 Series
3 Series
VS
SEAL
SEAL
3 Series vs SEAL →
GR Supra
GR Supra
VS
CLA Electric
CLA ElectricUpcoming
GR Supra vs CLA Electric →
GR Supra
GR Supra
VS
5 Series
5 Series
GR Supra vs 5 Series →

3 Series vs GR Supra questions

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.