2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs. BMW 3 Series
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC® Sedan and the 2026 BMW 330i xDrive Sedan are five-passenger luxury sedans with standard all-wheel drive and 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines, both rated 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The 330i xDrive Sedan reaches 60 mph in 5.4 seconds to the C 300 4MATIC® Sedan’s 6.0 seconds, is rated 29 mpg combined to 27 mpg combined, and carries 16.9 cubic feet of trunk space to 11.6 cubic feet. The C 300 4MATIC® Sedan holds the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2026, which the 2026 3 Series does not.
Key differences
- Both the C 300 4MATIC® Sedan and the 330i xDrive Sedan are rated 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
- The 330i xDrive Sedan carries 16.9 cubic feet of trunk space and the C 300 4MATIC® Sedan 11.6 cubic feet.
- The 330i xDrive Sedan is rated 29 mpg combined and the C 300 4MATIC® Sedan 27 mpg combined.
- The C 300 4MATIC® Sedan holds the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2026. The 2026 3 Series holds no IIHS award.
- The Mercedes-AMG® C 43 Sedan produces 416 horsepower to the M340i xDrive Sedan’s 386 horsepower.
- BMW includes scheduled maintenance for 36 months or 36,000 miles. Mercedes-Benz publishes no included scheduled maintenance.
Core matchup
| Specification | 2026 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC® Sedan | 2026 BMW 330i xDrive Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP, excluding destination | $51,650 | $50,000 |
| Destination charge | $1,350 | $1,350 |
| Engine | 2.0L inline-4 turbo with mild hybrid drive | 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 255 hp | 255 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 9G-TRONIC 9-speed | 8-speed automatic |
| Standard drivetrain | 4MATIC® all-wheel drive | xDrive all-wheel drive |
| 0-60 mph | 6.0 sec | 5.4 sec |
| EPA combined fuel economy | 27 mpg | 29 mpg |
| Trunk volume | 11.6 cu ft | 16.9 cu ft |
| Seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| New vehicle limited warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | No separate term published | No separate term published |
| Complimentary scheduled maintenance | None | 36 months / 36,000 miles |
| IIHS award, this model year | TOP SAFETY PICK | No award |
Note: BMW does not publish 3 Series trunk volume on bmwusa.com. The 16.9 cubic foot figure is from a BMW USA press release for the same 3 Series Sedan body.
Performance matchup
The performance trim of the C-Class is the Mercedes-AMG® C 43 Sedan.
| Specification | 2026 Mercedes-AMG® C 43 Sedan | 2026 BMW M340i xDrive Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP, excluding destination | $64,150 | $64,300 |
| Destination charge | $1,350 | $1,350 |
| Engine | Handcrafted AMG® 2.0L inline-4 with hybrid assist and electric exhaust-gas turbocharger | M TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder with 48V mild-hybrid technology |
| Horsepower | 416 hp | 386 hp |
| Torque | 369 lb-ft | 398 lb-ft |
| Transmission | AMG® SPEEDSHIFT® MCT 9-speed | 8-speed automatic |
| Standard drivetrain | AMG® Performance 4MATIC® all-wheel drive | xDrive all-wheel drive |
| 0-60 mph | 4.3 sec | 4.1 sec |
| EPA combined fuel economy | 22 mpg | 29 mpg |
| Trunk volume | 11.6 cu ft | 16.9 cu ft |
| Seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| New vehicle limited warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | No separate term published | No separate term published |
| Complimentary scheduled maintenance | None | 36 months / 36,000 miles |
| IIHS award, this model year | TOP SAFETY PICK | No award |
Note: BMW does not publish M340i trunk volume or seating capacity on bmwusa.com. Both figures are from a BMW USA press release for the same 3 Series Sedan body.
Arriving soon
BMW announced a new 3 Series lineup for the United States on September 29, 2026, made up of the 330, 330 xDrive, M350 xDrive and i3 50 xDrive, with launch in the first quarter of 2027. The announcement is on the BMW USA press site. The tables above cover the 2026 cars BMW sells today.
Maintenance
Mercedes-Benz publishes no included scheduled maintenance for the 2026 C-Class. BMW includes scheduled maintenance on the 2026 3 Series for 36 months or 36,000 miles. Mercedes-Benz Prepaid Maintenance plans are available at Mercedes-Benz of Columbus North.
Why shop the C-Class at Mercedes-Benz of Columbus North
- America’s first AMG® Brand Center, in Sunbury, minutes from Westerville, Polaris, and New Albany
- No market adjustments above MSRP and no mandatory dealer add-ons on any new vehicle. See How We Price.
- Test drive the C-Class and compare it in person
Questions
Which is bigger, the C-Class or the 3 Series?
The 330i xDrive Sedan carries 16.9 cubic feet of trunk space and the C 300 4MATIC® Sedan 11.6 cubic feet. Both seat 5.
Which has more horsepower?
In the core matchup both are rated 255 horsepower. In the performance matchup the Mercedes-AMG® C 43 Sedan produces 416 horsepower and the BMW M340i xDrive Sedan 386 horsepower.
Which includes scheduled maintenance?
BMW includes scheduled maintenance for 36 months or 36,000 miles. Mercedes-Benz publishes none, and Mercedes-Benz Prepaid Maintenance plans are available at Mercedes-Benz of Columbus North.
Where can I test drive a C-Class near Columbus?
At Mercedes-Benz of Columbus North, 7990 State Route 37 East, Sunbury, Ohio 43074.
View C-Class Inventory Request a Test Drive
Sources
- https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/model/c-class/sedan/c300w4
- https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/model/c-class/sedan/c43w4
- https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/build/c-class/sedan/c300w4
- https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/build/c-class/sedan/c43w4
- https://www.mbusa.com/content/dam/mb-nafta/us/my27-content-request/PCwarrantymanualusa.pdf
- https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/service-maintenance/prepaid
- https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/3-series/3-series-sedan/bmw-3-series-sedan.html
- https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/3-series/sedan/performance-m340i.html
- https://www.bmwusa.com/build-your-own.html
- https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0453931EN_US/the-2026-bmw-m340i-xdrive-50-jahre-edition?language=en_US
- https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0461093EN_US/the-new-bmw-3-series?language=en_US
- https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/49260.shtml
- https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/49264.shtml
- https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/49234.shtml
- https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/49236.shtml
- https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/mercedes-benz/c-class-4-door-sedan/2026
- https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/bmw/3-series-4-door-sedan/2026
Last verified: October 14, 2026
Specifications and prices are from each manufacturer’s US website or press release as of the date above and may change. Starting MSRP is the manufacturer’s base price and excludes the destination charge, taxes, title, registration, options, and dealer fees. BMW, X3, 3 Series, Lexus, and RX are trademarks of their respective owners. Mercedes-Benz of Columbus North is not affiliated with BMW or Lexus.