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The BMW 3 Series is a stylish premium car available as a saloon or an estate (called BMW 3 Series Touring) that is enjoyable to drive, comfortable and well-equipped. It’s available with a wide choice of engines and trims, offering cost-effective options as well as luxurious or sporty ones.
For more than 40 years, the BMW 3 Series has been one of the most popular premium mid-size cars, appealing to a variety of customers. We’re looking here at the latest seventh-generation 3 Series, sold new since 2019 and given an update in 2022 with a revised look and features.
The BMW 3 Series is available as a saloon or as a practical estate called the BMW 3 Series Touring. If you want a 3 Series with extra driving excitement, look at the performance-focused BMW M340i and M340d, as well as the high-performance BMW M3 models. Both come in saloon and Touring form. While most models are rear-wheel drive, there are also four-wheel-drive versions, which BMW calls xDrive.
The trim lineup consists of the entry-level SE model, the mid-spec Sport and the M Sport, which adds extra features and styling inspired by the high-performance M cars. There are variations of these base trims, too, such as M Sport Plus Edition, SE Pro and Sport Pro, which add extra features beyond those included as standard.
As a premium car, the BMW 3 Series is well-equipped across the range. Every post-2019 BMW 3 Series comes with Bluetooth, DAB radio and automatic air conditioning, as well as cruise control, parking sensors and alloy wheels. Higher-spec models add features such as electrically adjustable and heated front seats, upgraded sound systems and premium upholstery options.
Post-2022 models have larger, more advanced display screens on the dashboard but every version has BMW’s excellent iDrive infotainment system. As well as a touchscreen, the system uses a rotary controller rather than just a touchscreen to operate it, which makes it much easier to adjust while driving. Apple CarPlay is standard on all models, but Android Auto wasn’t included on early 3 Series cars, so if that’s a must for you, check that it’s fitted on the one you’re considering.
Most versions of the BMW 3 Series are designed to balance strong performance with good fuel efficiency, and there’s a range of petrol and diesel engines to choose from. Diesel models will give you fuel economy of up to 57mpg, according to official figures, while you can expect up to 44mpg from the most efficient petrol model. Those numbers will dip as you go for engines with more power, and rear-wheel-drive models will give you better fuel economy than xDrive all-wheel-drive versions.
Some models of BMW 3 Series are equipped with mild-hybrid technology, which slightly improves fuel economy, while the plug-in hybrid version – the 330e – combines a petrol engine with an electric motor and battery to give you up to 37 miles of electric-only range. That could save you loads on fuel, but only if you keep the battery charged up.
Service, maintenance, repair and insurance costs are likely to be slightly higher than with less-premium brands.
The key rivals for the BMW 3 Series are the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Audi A4. When comparing the BMW 3 Series with the Audi A4, the BMW has the edge for driver appeal, with more agility and fun across the range, but the Audi is outstanding when it comes to interior quality and comfort. Like the BMW, the Mercedes can offer a hybrid option, which is something the Audi can’t.
The BMW 3 Series is a practical car, especially if you go for the Touring estate model with its big 500-litre boot. The saloon version has 480 litres, which is still excellent for this type of car. In both versions there’s ample room inside for four adults and lots of storage spaces throughout the cabin. Note, however, that the plug-in hybrid 3 Series has less boot space because of the need to store extra batteries.
The BMW 3 Series sits in the lower-middle of the BMW range of non-SUV cars. The company uses numbers in its car names to indicate the size, with the 1 Series the smallest, followed by the 2 Series. The 4 Series is actually about the same size as the 3 Series, but is a coupe or convertible model, while the is a step above in terms of size and price. The is a large, sporty coupe, while the 7 Series is a large, limousine-like saloon. The 8 Series is a large and luxurious coupe.
The range of BMW SUVs goes from the compact X1 up to the big X7. BMW also has a broad range of electric cars, which use the letter i in their names, from the i3 to the i7. The i4 is around the same size as the BMW 3 Series.
The BMW 3 Series was awarded the maximum five stars by independent safety organisation EuroNCAP in 2019. While safety criteria have slightly moved on since then, the 3 Series still includes many of the latest advanced driver-safety systems as standard, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning and speed-limit assistance. Other systems were available as options when new, including front cross-traffic alert (which watches for oncoming traffic when you’re turning onto a road) and adaptive cruise control.
You can find the 3 Series with mild-hybrid technology in the 320d, M340d and M340i models, while the 330e is a plug-in hybrid with an electric-only range of up to 37 miles on a full battery.