BMW 3 Series Sedan 335i vs BMW 520i — full comparison

BMW 3 Series Sedan 335i

Sedan · Gasoline · FWD

vs

BMW 520i

Sedan · Gasoline · FWD

BMW 3 Series Sedan 335i

Car A

BMW 3 Series Sedan 335i

The BMW 3 Series Sedan 335i blends strong performance with five-seat practicality and a 480-liter boot, fitting growing families that still want pace. At this price point and 8.1 L/100 km combined, it’s good value and efficient for its class.

5 seatsSedanGasoline5-star safety320 hp

BMW 520i

Car B

BMW 520i

The BMW 520i is an efficient five-seat saloon that suits road trips and growing families. Its balanced performance and 530 L boot make it good value in its segment.

5 seatsSedanGasoline5-star safety6 L/100km

Why compared same body typesame brandsame powertrainsame seatssimilar price

Usage fit

Family 63 / 63

City 46 / 37

Budget / value 54 / 54

Road trip 52 / 64

Performance 35 / 33

Cargo 26 / 29

Practical 43 / 46

Premium 52 / 57

Winter 26 / 30

Scores out of 100. Blue = BMW 3 Series Sedan 335i · Orange = BMW 520i

Specs side-by-side

Spec BMW 3 Series Sedan 335i BMW 520i

Values are representative — confirm for your market and trim.

Pros & cons

BMW 3 Series Sedan 335i

Strong acceleration and power make overtakes and on-ramps easy
Five-seat saloon with a 480 L trunk works for growing families and road trips
Good value in its segment given its performance
Efficient for its class at 8.1 L/100 km combined
Saloon body limits cargo flexibility versus hatchbacks and SUVs
Front-wheel drive may be less confidence-inspiring in harsh winter conditions than AWD options
Higher purchase price than mainstream family sedans
Gasoline-only powertrain; no hybrid or EV efficiency benefits

BMW 520i

Efficient for its class at 6 L/100 km, ideal for long-distance driving
530 L trunk handles family luggage for holidays and weekends
Adequate pace for highways (184 hp, 0–100 km/h in 7.9 s, 235 km/h top speed)
At about 55,000, it represents good value in its segment
Saloon body limits loading flexibility for bulky items despite the volume
Front-wheel drive may not suit buyers seeking AWD confidence for harsh winters
Moderate acceleration; not for those prioritizing punchy performance
Price may exceed tighter family-sedan budgets

Verdict

Pick BMW 3 Series Sedan 335i if…

Lower entry price

BMW 3 Series Sedan 335i starts lower, making it the stronger value pick if budget is a priority.

Pick BMW 520i if…

Performance & capability

BMW 520i is the choice if you want more power, speed, or all-weather capability.

Related comparisons