Rear wheel drive (RWD) / All wheel drive (AWD, 4x4)
Front wheel drive (FWD) / All wheel drive (AWD, 4x4)
BMW 3 series is available with rear wheel drive and four wheel (4x4) drive, while Volkswagen Golf can be equipped with front wheel drive and four wheel (4x4) drive. All-wheel drive models tend to consume more fuel, so if you don't need off road capabilities, BMW 3 series also offers 2-wheel drive versions for fuel economy. 2WD versions also have lower maintenance costs.
BMW 3 series petrol engines consumes on average 1.6 litres more fuel per 100 km than Volkswagen Golf. On average, BMW 3 series equipped with diesel engines consume 0.8 litres more fuel per 100 km than the Volkswagen Golf. This comparison does not take engine capacity into account, so to compare the fuel consumption of specific engines, select the car version!
Ground clearance:
140 - 141 mm (5.5 - 5.6 inches)
141 mm (5.6 inches)
Dimensions
Length:
4.53 m
4.53 m
Width:
1.82 m
1.78 m
Height:
1.44 m
1.50 m
BMW 3 series and Volkswagen Golf are practically the same length.
Trunk capacity:
460 litres
505 litres
Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down
1385 litres
1495 litres
Volkswagen Golf has more luggage space. BMW 3 series has 45 litres less trunk space than the Volkswagen Golf. The maximum boot capacity (with all rear seats folded down) is larger in Volkswagen Golf (by 110 litres).
Turning diameter:
11.8 meters
10.9 meters
The turning circle of the BMW 3 series is 0.9 metres more than that of the Volkswagen Golf, which means BMW 3 series can be harder to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces.
