Overview

What's New for 2022

BMW sells the 3 Series in three trim levels: the four-cylinder 330i, the plug-in hybrid 330e, and the six-cylinder M340i. Each comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission (a manual gearbox is no longer available) and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive, or xDrive in BMW lingo, is available as a $2,000 option. The base 330i is the most popular trim, and it's also our pick for best value. We'll explain why.

330i

Starting at $42,445 (including a $995 destination fee), the 330i comes well equipped, with standard features such as a 255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 18-inch wheels, and LED headlights. Inside the cabin are power-adjustable front seats wrapped in BMW's "Sensatec" synthetic upholstery (leather is optional), plus a sunroof, automatic climate control, and an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and ten speakers. A forward-collision warning system with automated emergency braking also comes standard.

BMW offers a long list of available options, mostly bundled into packages. For basic creature comforts, we recommend the Premium package, which provides heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, four-way power lumbar support for the driver's seat, a head-up instrument display, and keyless entry. We also recommend the Driver Assistance package, which offers additional safety tech, including blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning, and the Driver Assistance Professional package, which includes adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. On the performance front, the M Sport package bundles 19-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, an M Sport steering wheel, and more aggressive exterior styling elements. The Dynamic Handling package adds an adaptive suspension, better brakes, and an active rear differential (which helps with fast cornering).

With plenty of performance from its base engine and a wide range of options, the base 330i is our trim of choice for most buyers.

330e

The 330e ($43,945) takes the 330i and adds a plug-in hybrid powertrain, pairing BMW's 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor and a 12.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack (housed under the rear seats). Together, they deliver 288 horsepower (combined), 22 miles of electric-only range (20 miles when equipped with all-wheel drive), and an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel-economy rating of 75 MPGe (67 MPGe with all-wheel drive). Otherwise, the 330e's available features and options are the same as on the 330i.

M340i

For $55,695, the M340i ups the performance ante considerably with a 382-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, plus most of the upgrades offered on the M Sport and Dynamic Handling packages — except for the adaptive suspension, which is a $700 add-on. Its other features and options largely match those offered on the 330i.

The 3 Series is advertised as a sport sedan, and it has the performance to back that up. Even its base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder generates an impressive 255 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque. Mated to BMW's excellent eight-speed automatic transmission, it hustles the 330i to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. That's a hair quicker than the 330i's main rival, the base Mercedes-Benz C-Class and more than half a second faster than the base Audi A4.

While the 330e's plug-in hybrid powertrain is designed more for efficiency than for power, it still manages a combined 288 hp between its four-cylinder engine and electric motor. That keeps things lively, even with the additional weight of the battery pack. For more oomph, the 330e offers XtraBoost, a feature that provides a 10-second burst of 40 additional horses when you floor the throttle in Sport mode. Transitions between gas and electric power feel almost seamless, though the brake pedal requires an extra bit of force when approaching a stop.

With two additional cylinders, the turbocharged inline-six in the M340i churns out 127 more hp than the four-cylinder in the 330i, peaking at 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Mated to the same eight-speed automatic found in the 330i, it's capable of launching the sedan from 0-60 mph in just 4.2 seconds, according to the manufacturer. That compares favorably with the performance version of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the 385-hp C43, which takes 0.3 seconds longer.

Handling is also a 3 Series strong suit. In base trim, it offers a near-perfect balance of comfort and agility. The optional M Sport package, with its larger wheels and firmer suspension, sharpens its reflexes noticeably, though at the expense of some ride harshness over rough pavement. While the 3 Series had long been available with a manual transmission, that tradition ended with the introduction of this latest generation in 2019. However, manual gearbox enthusiasts can still get their row-your-own kicks in the high-performance BMW M3.

The BMW 3 Series delivers remarkable fuel economy for a performance-oriented sedan. The base 330i is rated at 26 mpg during city driving and 36 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. That drops slightly to 25/34 mpg city/highway with optional all-wheel drive. Opting for the larger engine in the M340i carries a fuel-economy penalty, but not as much as you might think. In standard rear-wheel-drive spec, the M340i manages 23/32 mpg city/highway, while the all-wheel-drive M340i xDrive is rated at 1 mpg less in each category. Neither the Mercedes-Benz C-Class nor the Audi A4 can match the 3 Series for fuel economy, making it the most efficient offering in the segment.

The 3 Series is also one of the only cars in its class to offer a plug-in hybrid variant, the 330e. It provides 22 miles of all-electric range with a full charge of its 12.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, or 20 miles when equipped with optional all-wheel drive. Charging times are estimated at 11.5 hours with a Level 1 (120 volt) charger or 3.5 hours with a Level 2 (240 volt) charger. Once the batteries are depleted, the car operates like a normal gas-electric hybrid. The EPA rates the 330e at 75 MPGe with standard rear-wheel drive and at 67 MPGe with optional all-wheel drive.

The BMW 3 Series received a perfect five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the 3 Series its highest score ("Good") in crashworthiness and names it a 2021 Top Safety Pick when equipped with the optional adaptive headlights.

BMW provides forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking on all 3 Series models. Buyers can opt for additional features, including blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. We wish lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise weren't bundled together, though. While we found BMW's smart cruise tech to work seamlessly, its automated lane-keeping was a bit herky-jerky in operation.

When it comes to entry-level luxury cars, the BMW 3 Series is at or near the top of the heap in almost every measure. It's faster and more efficient than both the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Audi A4. It's also one of the roomiest cars in its class, beating both the Benz and the Audi in headroom and front legroom and matching them in rear legroom. It also offers one of the only plug-in hybrids among its competitors (the other is the Volvo S60). That makes the 3 Series a great all-around choice. But there's a cost to all that goodness. The 3 Series is one of the pricier cars in this segment. Consider the Genesis G70 if that's a concern. It's slightly less refined than the 3 Series but offers similar levels of performance and luxury for thousands less.

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