BMW M3 vs Kia Optima Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2016 catalog dimensions. BMW M3 · Kia Optima

Same scale for both vehicles. Generic silhouette — proportional to measured length, height, width, wheelbase, and clearance.

Side view
  • Length184.5 in
  • Height56.1 in
  • Wheelbase110.7 in
  • Ground clearance4.7 in
  • Curb weight3,540 lb
Front / width
  • Width73.9 in
  • Kia Optima width73.2 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: BMW M3 is 6.6 in shorter (184.5 in vs 191.1 in)
  • Width: Kia Optima is 0.7 in narrower (73.9 in vs 73.2 in)
  • Height: Kia Optima is 1.6 in taller (56.1 in vs 57.7 in)
  • Wheelbase: BMW M3 has a 0.3 in longer wheelbase (110.7 in vs 110.4 in)
  • Ground clearance: Kia Optima has 0.6 in more ground clearance (4.7 in vs 5.3 in)
  • Curb weight: BMW M3 is 184 lb heavier (3,540 lb vs 3,357 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Ground clearance: Kia Optima has 0.6 in more ground clearance (4.7 in vs 5.3 in)
  2. Curb weight: BMW M3 is 184 lb heavier (3,540 lb vs 3,357 lb)
  3. Length: BMW M3 is 6.6 in shorter (184.5 in vs 191.1 in)
  4. Height: Kia Optima is 1.6 in taller (56.1 in vs 57.7 in)
  5. Width: Kia Optima is 0.7 in narrower (73.9 in vs 73.2 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageBMW M3BMW M3 is shorter by 6.6 in Check garage fit for BMW M3 · garage fit for Kia Optima
  • Narrower for tight parkingKia OptimaKia Optima is narrower by 0.7 in
  • More ground clearanceKia OptimaKia Optima has 0.6 in more clearance
  • Smaller exterior footprintBMW M3Based on length × width (BMW M3)

Dimension comparison

SpecBMW M3Kia OptimaDifference
Length184.5 in191.1 in6.6 in
Width73.9 in73.2 in0.7 in
Height56.1 in57.7 in1.6 in
Wheelbase110.7 in110.4 in0.3 in
Ground clearance4.7 in5.3 in0.6 in
Curb weight3,540 lb3,357 lb184 lb

Values use trim midpoints when a model year lists a range.

Compare by year

Overlapping model years with dimension data.

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