Is the BMW 3 Series an A-Class Car?
2 Answers
The BMW 3 Series is not an A-Class but a B-Class car, which is referred to as a mid-size sedan in China. A-Class cars in China denote compact sedans, and the BMW 1 Series belongs to the A-Class category. A-Class Cars: A-Class cars refer to small sedans, such as the Focus and Corolla. Vehicles in this category have a body length between 4.3-4.79 meters, a wheelbase of 2.35-2.79 meters, and engine displacements generally ranging from 1.4 to 2.0 liters. B-Class Cars: B-Class cars refer to mid-size sedans, such as the Accord, Passat, and Camry. These vehicles have a wheelbase between 2.7-3.0 meters, a body length typically between 4.8-5.0 meters, and engine displacements generally ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 liters. C-Class Cars: C-Class cars refer to premium sedans, also known as executive cars, such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series. Vehicles in this category have a wheelbase of approximately 2.8-3.0 meters and engine displacements roughly between 2.0 and 3.5 liters.
The BMW 3 Series is definitely not an A-segment car. A-segment cars are compact vehicles, like the Honda Fit or Volkswagen Polo, which are particularly small in size, usually under 4.3 meters in length, with relatively limited rear seating space. In contrast, the BMW 3 Series exceeds 4.7 meters in length, with a wheelbase stretching over 2.8 meters, comfortably accommodating three adults in the back. In terms of engines, the 3 Series starts with a 2.0T, delivering up to 184 horsepower, whereas A-segment cars typically feature smaller engines like 1.5L naturally aspirated units. The price difference is even more pronounced—the 3 Series starts at over 300,000 RMB, while most A-segment cars are priced around 100,000 RMB. Therefore, whether considering size, performance, or market positioning, the 3 Series is a standard B-segment car, aligning with competitors like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4.
