The rivalry between the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes C-Class is the automotive equivalent of the rivalry between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. The stakes are different, sure, but there are no two models that are linked to one another than the 3 Series and the C-Class. It’s fitting, too, that just as Mercedes unveiled the 2019 C-Class a few months ago, it didn’t take BMW long to roll out the next-generation 3 Series. With both models offering something new to the table, it’s only fitting that we compare both models to see which one has the edge over the other.

Exterior

Comparing the exterior of the BMW 3 Series with the exterior of the Mercedes C-Class is like comparing a bratwurst with a Frankfurter. You can’t go wrong with either choice. Both models offer something unique in terms of their design. Put that into perspective, and you’re left with an inevitable conclusion: picking between the 3 Series and the C-Class boils down to individual preference.

Front

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The BMW 3 Series looks special. It’s been a while since the 3er had the ability to stop you dead on your tracks with its looks, but that’s the case with the new-generation model. It’s hard to identify which part of the 3 Series’ front profile casts the most impressive appearance. That little notch in the front apron that rises into the contour of the headlight units is a small design detail that delivers a big stylistic impact on the 3 Series. Even the hood and the bumpers received their own character lines. The intakes are bigger, too. Overall, the front section of the new 3 Series is as good as it gets in its segment.

That’s not to say that the Mercedes C-Class’ own front section is a chump by comparison. It’s not. It’s just not as striking as the new 3 Series. Perhaps that’s because the 2019 C-Class isn’t a next-generation model. The upgrades, while noticeable, aren’t as striking as the ones found on the Bimmer. The C-Class gets fresh headlight housings, but the rest of the front is what it was. You can get the diamond radiator grille on the Merc, but you’d have to buy the AMG-Line option to score it.

Side

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That’s not to say that the Mercedes C-Class’ own front section is a chump by comparison. It’s not. It’s just not as striking as the new 3 Series. Perhaps that’s because the 2019 C-Class isn’t a next-generation model. The upgrades, while noticeable, aren’t as striking as the ones found on the Bimmer. The C-Class gets fresh headlight housings, but the rest of the front is what it was. You can get the diamond radiator grille on the Merc, but you’d have to buy the AMG-Line option to score it.

If there’s one thing we can glean from the all-new BMW 3 Series, it’s that Bimmer seems to have identified what the sedan should look like from the moment it developed it. There’s no beating around the bush. The use of the body lines help cut a sporty side profile. The rear arches are sculpted, too. The 3er even has the Hofmeister kink, a trademark BMW design that underscores the aggressive design that the brand was looking for when it developed the sedan.

The Mercedes C-Class, on the other hand, is decidedly less sporty. Instead, it cuts a more luxurious profile, defined most prominently by an elegant roofline. Even Mercedes’ use of body lines lends a classier visual appearance. The shoulder line, in particular, drops underneath the door handles, suggesting that Mercedes isn’t as concerned about establishing a muscular-looking C-Class as it is letting the style language of its more premium models rub off on the compact luxury sedan.

Neither style is better than the other. It just depends on what you’re looking for.

Rear

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The sporty theme of the 3 Series continues in the rear section of the sedan. No more is that evident than with the presence of the spoiler lip. The layered look also adds breadth to the section’s profile. The darkened light units feature dramatic L-shaped taillights. That’s another sporty notch in the belt of the 3 Series. For its part, the rear section of the 2019 Mercedes C-Class receives a new rear bumper and a redesigned diffuser. There’s not much to go on beyond those two design updates.

Interior

Any discussion between the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes C-Class will inevitably include debates on which model has the better interior. The size and function of the instrument cluster is just one part of the picture, too. It’s joined by a 10.30 inch center display that runs on BMW’s new ID7 operating system. The new 3er also boasts a cleaner console layout. This “clean” layout approach extends to the whole interior. There are also a plethora of options to choose from, ranging from premium materials, trim elements, and a smorgasbord of safety and tech equipment that makes you feel like you’re sitting inside a more premium luxury sedan.

Speaking of sitting inside a more premium luxury sedan, the 2019 Mercedes C-Class invites that feeling, too. It has arguably one of the best trim options in its segment, including Natural Grain Walnut Wood and Natural Grain Grey Oak. Upholstery options also include colors like Gray and Black, as well as Saddle Brown. Opt for the AMG Line trim, and you can get the Silk Beige/Black upholstery. If there’s one thing that sets the C-Class back relative to the 3 Series, it’s that the Merc’s fully digital instrument display is available as an option, not as a standard feature. Then there’s that stand-up display. The standard unit is smaller — 7.0 inches — compared to the 3 Series, though Mercedes is also offering a 10.25-inch unit as an option.

The BMW 3 Series holds the advantage with the available tech. But if you want a more luxurious cabin, the Mercedes C-Class is the way to go.

Technology

Every luxury car these days has a good amount of tech offerings. The key is figuring out which ones you like and which models have them.

The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is a good example. It’s basically BMW’s version of Amazon’s “Alexa” and Google’s “Hey Google.” It’s a program that spontaneously learns a driver’s routines and habits apply the information for future references. The freedom this program gives to drivers shouldn’t be underestimated, nor should it be taken advantage of. It’s potential to become the best thing to happen to the all-new 3 Series is right there for the taking, provided that it’s used wisely.

Speaking of using wisely, BMW’s Digital Key also makes its debut on the all-new 3 Series, following in the footsteps of the G05 X5 SUV and the 8 Series. The Digital Key effectively turns your smartphone into the key that runs the 3 Series. You can lock or unlock your sedan using your smartphone. You can start the engine by placing your smartphones in a wireless charging or smartphone tray. Those are just two examples of all the tech offerings that BMW has for the all-new 3Series. That’s on top of all the safety tech features that are commonplace among Bimmers these days.

Likewise, the 2019 Mercedes C-Class comes with its own tray table of technological offerings. Programs like Active Distance Assist Distronic system, Active Lane Change Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist, and Active Steering Assist are available in the C-Class. Active Brake Assist, for example, comes as standard on the sedan. The C-Class also has a Car-to-X communication warning system, real-time weather info, parking info, a Qi wireless device charging system, and a lot more.

Essentially, both the all-new BMW 3 Series and the 2019 Mercedes C-Class score with flying colors in this department. You can choose one over the other and still feel good about your choice.

Drivetrain and Performance

As two of the most popular models in its segment, the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes C-Class are expected to have more than one engine to satisfy the demands of their respective clientele. Having multiple engine options lets prospective owners choose which suits them best. That’s why in both cases, there are plenty of engines to choose from.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel unit, for example, gets an increased output of 187 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque compared to the previous model. It’s not much of an increase, but it’s enough for BMW’s standards. Hopefully, it’s the same for would-be customers. The all-new 3 Series also has gas-powered engines on the table. One of them is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit that produces 254 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. More engine options are expected to be available once the full 3 Series lineup arrives.

Variety is the name of the game here, and just like BMW, Mercedes came to play. The 2019 C-Class comes with a new 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that makes upwards of 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Not only is that an increase of 14 horsepower over the outgoing version, but it’s also one horsepower and 15 pound-feet of torque more than what the all-new 3 Series’ turbocharged four-banger is offering. There are a number of faster options available as well. The mid-range C43 and the range-topping, performance-oriented AMG C 63 have their own lines to more power with the former’s engine producing 285 horsepower and the latter’s engine accounting for 469 horsepower.

Neither BMW nor Mercedes can say that it has the better engine over the other. It’s admittedly too close to call, too, so once again, you’re looking at a situation where “better” lies in the eyes of the beholder.

Final Thoughts

You couldn’t pick between two models that are as close to one another in terms of style, appeal, substance, and performance as the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class are. There’s a reason both models have lasted this long and, more importantly, continue to thrive, even with the surging popularity of crossovers and SUVs.

You can’t sleep on that kind of cache, even if you’re Mercedes. New is always better, though by much is up for debate. So while the Mercedes C-Class has all the elements you’d want in a compact luxury sedan, the all-new BMW 3 Series is a bit more appealing because of all the new things it has to offer. You can’t go wrong with either of these two models, but if you want something that not a lot of people have yet, the all-new 3 Series should be your first choice.

As far as pricing goes, all we know about the all-new BMW 3 Series is that it goes on sale in March 2019 with a starting price of £33,610. That converts to just under $44,000. Remember, though, that this is the sedan’s price in the U.K. market. Just because the conversion skews higher than you’d expect, it doesn’t mean that the 3 Series will cost as much in the U.S. based on the converted amount. Instead, look for the 3 Series to start somewhere north of $40,000 in the U.S. market. That would put it in the crosshairs of the 2019 Mercedes C-Class, which starts at $40,250 and goes all the way up to $66,100 for the AMG C 63.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2020 BMW 3 Series.

Read our full review on the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.