Acura RLX vs BMW M3
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2027 BMW M3
Overview
| Spec | Acura RLXP-AWS | BMW M3Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | P-AWS | Sedan |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Fuel type | premium unleaded (recommended) | premium unleaded (required) |
| Transmission | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed manual |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2020 | 2027 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Acura RLXP-AWS | BMW M3Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $54,900 (best) | $79,300 |
| Lowest listing price | — | $35,831 (best) |
| Median listing price | — | $81,439 (best) |
| Highest listing price | — | $95,762 (best) |
| For sale now | 0 | 8 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Acura RLXP-AWS | BMW M3Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 23 MPG (best) | 19 MPG |
| City MPG | 20 MPG (best) | 16 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 29 MPG (best) | 23 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 18.5 gal (best) | 15.6 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Acura RLXP-AWS | BMW M3Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 310 hp | 473 hp (best) |
| Torque | 272 lb-ft | 406 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 3.5 L (best) | 3 L |
| Cylinders | V6 | I6 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Acura RLXP-AWS | BMW M3Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 14.9 cu ft | 16.9 cu ft (best) |
| Payload | — | 860 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,977 lbs | 3,840 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 4.5 in | 4.7 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 in | 112.5 in (best) |
| Length | 198.1 in (best) | 189.1 in |
| Width | 74.4 in (best) | 74.3 in |
| Height | 57.7 in (best) | 56.6 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Acura RLXP-AWS | BMW M3Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Rollover | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Acura RLX | BMW M3 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | P-AWS $54,900 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Sedan $79,300 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Sport Hybrid SH-AWD $61,900 MSRP | Competition Sedan $83,500 MSRP |
| 3 | — | Competition xDrive Sedan $88,600 MSRP |
Live inventory
BMW M38 for sale
See all
Used2021 BMW M3
Competition
Brooklyn Grey Metallic•Black41,620 mi$64,217Sewell KIA
Midland, TX
Used2015 BMW M3
Base
Marina Blue•silverstone96,844 mi$35,831Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Used2021 BMW M3
Competition
Tanzanite Blue II•Kyalami Orange/Black28,768 mi$77,693Land Rover St Petersburg
St. Petersburg, FL
Used2023 BMW M3
Competition 4D Sedan
Green Metallic13,629 mi$84,981Mercedes-Benz of Pleasanton
Pleasanton, CA
Certified2026 BMW M3
Competition xDrive
Isle of Man Green Metallic•Silverstone/Black430 mi$92,899BMW of Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
Used2024 BMW M3
Competition xDrive
Sao Paulo Yellow•Yas Marina Blue/Black11,836 mi$87,990BMW of Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
Acura RLX vs BMW M3 FAQ
- Which is better: 2020 Acura RLX or 2027 BMW M3?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2020 Acura RLX vs 2027 BMW M3 on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2020 Acura RLX or 2027 BMW M3?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2020 Acura RLX starts lower at $54,900. Live BMW M3 listings start at $35,831.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2020 Acura RLX or 2027 BMW M3?
- The 2020 Acura RLX leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (54,900).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2020 Acura RLX or 2027 BMW M3?
- The 2020 Acura RLX leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (28).
- Which has better horsepower: 2020 Acura RLX or 2027 BMW M3?
- The 2027 BMW M3 leads on horsepower in this comparison (523).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2020 Acura RLX vs 2027 BMW M3?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Acura RLX (5/5 NHTSA overall).