2023 BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 Series comes with three different variations - core models, the electrified models and the M models. The Electrified models and the M models fall into separate categories and hence we will consider only the core models here. There are two trims in this section - the 330i and the 330i xDrive and the only difference is that the former comes with an RWD while the latter sends power to all its wheels. The price for the 330i is $42,300 while you can avail the xDrive for $2,000 more. Both these trims come with comfortable seats with SensaTec Upholstery and Anthracite Headliner. The 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch central information display are the new additions and we simply cannot get enough of it. The 18-inch Double-spoke Refined Silver wheels offer an appealing exterior while the advanced features ensure optimum safety.

Packages

Convenience Package - $550

• Lumbar Support Driver
• Comfort Access Keyless ENtry

Premium Package - $1,900

• Head-up Display
• Heated Steering Wheel
• Heated front seats
• Lumbar Support Driver

Driving Assistance Package - $700

• Park Distance Control
• Parking Assistance Package
• Active Blind Spot Detection
• Active Driving Assistant
• Lane Departure Warning

Driving Assistance Professional Package - $1,700

Dynamic Handling Package - $1,200

• Adaptive M Suspension
• 19" M Double-spoke Bi-color Wheels with Performance Tires

Shadowline Package - $1,300

• M Sport Brakes with Red/Blue Calipers
• M Shadowline Lights
• Mirror Caps in Black
• LED Lights With Cornering Lights
• Extended Shadowline Trim

Parking Assistance Package - $700

We Recommend

We recommend you go for the xDrive for the AWD and among the packages you can opt for the Premium Package for better comfort and the Driving Assistance Professional Package for improved and safe driving.

Release Date

The 2023 BMW 3 Series has already been made available in the US market back in July 2022.

The core 330i comes with a TwinPower turbocharger that sends power to the 2.0L inline-4 engine. The M models from the 3 Series are equipped with a 3.0L engine instead. The BMW 330i xDrive swaps the RWD from the base trim for an AWD and both of them have an 8-speed automatic transmission that is practically smooth. The small engine combines a twin-scroll turbocharger with variable valve control containing Double-VANOS and Valvetronic. The power and torque outputs are 255 hp and 295 lb.-ft respectively. The smooth acceleration of the BMW 330i takes only 5.6 seconds to reach a speed of 60 MPH from a stop. At the same time, the time taken to cover a quarter-mile is only 13.6 seconds which states how fast the sedan is. It also has a commendable top speed of 130 MPH on the road.

All the competitors come with standard 4-cylinder turbocharged engines and send power to the rear wheels with Audi being the only exception with an AWD drivetrain. It also comes with a 7-speed auto-shift manual transmission which is supposedly swifter than its automatic counterparts. The power and torque output is the same for the Mercedes and BMW with the Genesis having a slight disadvantage. The Audi however, comes with lower horsepower but it has the 0 to 60 acceleration is the best for the A4. The G70, on the other hand, has the highest top speed but the Genesis takes the longest to reach 60 MPH from a stop.

Ride and Handling

The ride and handling of the BMW 330i are excellent and due to the AWD, the xDrive is even better. The 8-speed Sport Automatic transmission with Sport and Manual shift modes offers swift and more accurate shifting according to the terrain. The steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Launch Control make it easy for the driver to change the modes and gears. The Driving Dynamics Control with selectable drive modes offers better driving and control on different terrains. The electronic throttle control makes the acceleration even faster and the responsive steering wheel with power-steering assist allows the driver to cut through corners with great precision. The double-pivot-type front suspension with the anti-roll bar and the 5-link rear suspension offer great shock absorbing capacity making it highly comfortable for the passengers.

Braking Performance

The braking performance of the BMW 3 Series is appreciable. The brake rotors are lightweight making it efficient on the wheels and the 4-wheel ventilated discs ensure accurate performance. The sedan also comes with the anti-lock braking system as standard on all four wheels. Dynamic Brake Control along with Cornering Brake Control provides superior braking abilities in adverse situations or while cutting through sharp corners. The curb weight of the BMW is only 3,536 making it easier for the brake rotors to minimize the braking distance for the sedan even while driving at high speed. The 330i also comes with an array of technologies like Brake Fade Compensation, Brake Drying, and Brake Stand-by features to improve the overall braking system.

The Mercedes-Benz has the largest rotors in the front but on the rear wheels, its discs are comparatively smaller. The Genesis comes with the most admirable brake discs in both front and rear and the rear rotors of the G70 is the largest in the market. However, the data for brake rotors is not currently available for the BMW 3 Series. Considering the high curb weight of the Mercedes, it has efficient braking. The Genesis, on the other hand, is lighter than the C Class but its brake rotors offer better performance than its rivals.

The BMW 330i is a compact sedan that does not fall into the luxury category which means that fuel economy is a crucial factor for the vehicle. The BMW is truly a fuel-efficient car as it offers the best figures in almost all the sections. The EPA-certified mileage is 25 MPG in the city and on the highway, it offers 34 MPG. This is great news for customers who are thinking of getting a fuel-efficient sedan within their budget. The combined mileage is the best in the current market for cars in this category but unfortunately, the fuel capacity of the 330i is on the lower side. It means that the range offered by the sedan is not as much as you would expect but to be very honest the figures are not bad at all.

The BMW and the Mercedes-Benz have the same figures of mileage in the city but on the highway, the C Class has a slight advantage. The Audi A4 comes with close figures in both categories but the Genesis fails to cope with its rivals. The Mercedes-Benz is equipped with the largest fuel tank which means it has the largest figures in the range as well. The G70 comes with a slightly better fuel capacity than the BMW but it has a much lower range in both city and highway. The Audi has the smallest fuel tank and its range is significantly lower.

The BMW 3 Series comes with a modern design inside the cabin and the quality of materials is excellent. Just because the 330i has an affordable price does not mean that you should not expect a cheap interior. On the contrary, you will see that seating is spacious and comfortable. The Open Pore Fine Wood Oak Grain trim in the interior gives you a whole different atmosphere and the Perforated SensaTec Upholstery provides optimum comfort and style. The sport seats in the front come with 2-Way Power Seat Back Side Bolster Support and Manual Cushion Extension for both the driver and the passenger. The Anthracite Headliner along with the Multi-zone Climate Control including micro-filter and automatic air recirculation contribute heavily to offering the best cabin experience for the passengers. The cargo space is acceptable and the 40-20-40 Folding Bench in the rear makes way for a further room for carry-ons.

The rivals in this segment have the same seating capacity of five passengers and they come with almost the same space around the seats. However, the Genesis has more head, shoulder and legroom in the front row but the second row is not that impressive. The Mercedes-Benz has the best legroom in the second row and it also has good head and shoulder space. The trunk capacity makes all the difference for the BMW as it has the largest figure. The three primary rivals have significantly lower trunk capacity especially the Genesis with a cargo space of only 10.5 cu.-ft.

• 2-Way Power Seat Back Side Bolster Support and Manual Cushion Extension
• Open Pore Fine Wood Oak Grain trim
• Perforated SensaTec Upholstery with Anthracite Headliner
• Multi-zone Climate Control including micro-filter and automatic air recirculation
• Fade-To-Off Interior Lighting
• 40-20-40 Folding Bench Front Facing Fold Forward Seatback Rear Seat

Infotainment System

The infotainment system of the 2023 BMW 3 series is ready to take the MVP seat due to its thorough upgrade this year. The digital instrument panel and the larger touchscreen have been combined into a single curved housing that changed the whole outlook. The 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch central information display are practically unmatchable in the current market. The all-digital dashboard has a monolithic display that covers two-thirds of it. The BMW 3 Series houses the iDrive 8 system and a lot of functions that require almost zero physical connection between the driver and the front-seat passenger. However, some owners have claimed the infotainment unit to be a little complicated but with time, you will get the better of it.

• 12.3-inch instrument cluster
• 14.9-inch central information display
• BMW iDrive 8 system
• HiFi Sound System with a digital amplifier and 10 speakers
• Live Cockpit Plus
• Navigation, Bluetooth, USB-C ports

The exterior has a simplistic design but that does not make the BMW sedan invisible for the bystanders. In fact, the 3 Series has the right amount of design and features to attract a certain level of road presence. The 18-inch Double-spoke Refined Silver wheels with all-season run-flat tires are among the first aspects that you will notice. The Shadowline exterior trim seems excellent and the power-folding and heated side mirrors are good additions here. The front grille looks much better than the infamous M3 models and the front fascia is better in this version. The LED headlights and the front bumper makes the 330i look aggressive. The bonnet along with the side profile gives a streamlined feel and the lip spoiler looks appreciable. The overall design and dimension make it a desirable model in the competitive market.

The Audi A4 has the longest body while the BMW comes with the best height in the market. The width of Genesis is the best but it falls behind in both length and height. The wheelbase is the largest for the Mercedes and the BMW has a very close figure. However, the C Class is closest to the ground with the least ground clearance among the rivals. The Audi has the best figure with the Genesis being a close second in this case. The Mercedes has the heaviest body whereas the curb weight is the lowest for the BMW 3 Series.

• 18" Double-spoke Refined Silver wheels with all-season run-flat tires
• Shadowline exterior trim
• Power-folding, heated side mirrors
• Speed Sensitive Rain Detecting Variable Intermittent Wipers with Heated Jets
• Black Grille with Chrome Surround
• Headlights with Automatic Highbeams

The BMW 3 Series is a midsize luxury sedan that has achieved the highest ratings from the NHTSA authorities in all tests and the IIHS-HLDI has provided the top most scores for the model as well. The structural integrity and the build quality are excellent making it as safe as possible for the passengers. At the same time, there is a myriad of standard and exclusive aspects that increase the safety of the car. The Active Driving Assistant and the BMW Assist eCall are the first ones among them and the 330i also houses Electronic Stability Control and Driveline Traction Control. Collision Mitigation is one of the necessary aspects while the Driver Monitoring Alert system is impactful. The BMW also comes with a lot of basic features like Automatic high beams, a Rear-view Camera, and an Active Protection System.

• Active Cruise Control
• Front Collision Warning
• Active Driving Assistant
• Driveline Traction Control
• Driver Monitoring Alert system
• Active Protection System

2023 BMW 330i vs. 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 300

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 300 comes with the same engine and drivetrain but it has a slightly better transmission system. The power output and the maximum torque are exactly the same as the BMW but the time taken to cover a quarter-mile is slightly higher. The 0 to 60 acceleration is almost as good as the 330i and the top speed of the Mercedes C300 is just shy of 1 MPH. The ride quality, handling, and braking are efficient for the Mercedes-Benz and it comes with similar fuel economy. However, the C Class is equipped with a larger fuel tank making the range a little better than its rival and the interior is appealing as well. The technology and safety features are commendable but the Mercedes-Benz comes with a slightly higher price tag. However, it is really up to the personal preferences of the buyer when it comes to choosing between the two.

2023 BMW 330i vs. 2023 Audi A4 Premium

The 2023 Audi A4 has a lower price tag but it comes with an AWD instead of the RWD. The 7-speed auto-shift manual transmission is smoother than the automatic transmission in the BMW but the Audi generates lower horsepower. The maximum torque is comparatively dull but it takes less time to reach 60 MPH from a stop. The braking and handling are dynamic for the A4 sedan and it offers good ride quality as well. The EPA-certified mileage has negligible differences from its rival and the fuel capacity is also lower. The interior is spacious but not as spacious as the BMW and the Audi has a disappointing trunk capacity. Although the features are great and the safety aspects are reliable, the Audi is not a clear winner here.

2023 BMW 330i vs. 2023 Genesis G70 2.0T

The 2023 Genesis G70 is a great sedan that comes with an engine almost as powerful as the BMW. However, the lower torque and 8-speed automatic transmission result in a higher time to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH. The top speed, on the other hand, is much better than the 330i. The ride and handling of the 2023 G70 are commendable and the heavy chassis coupled with large rotors offer efficient braking as well. The fuel economy section is let down as the mileage is lower than its rival and the smaller fuel tank results in an even lower range. The space around the front-row seats is praiseworthy but the trunk space is uninspiring, to say the least. Even with some significant features and an appreciable safety system, we would not recommend you choose the Genesis over the BMW.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series is definitely one of the best options in the compact luxury sedan category. It has an affordable price tag and comes with a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that generates adequate power and torque. The acceleration is commendable for the BMW 330i and it has a good top speed as well. The ride quality is among the best in the market and the handling is top-notch. You can experience swift control and efficient braking in the 3 Series. The fuel economy is one of the strongest aspects of the vehicle as despite being a luxury sedan, the BMW offers great mileage and range in the competitive market. The interior is comfortable and the luxury tag is justified accurately. More importantly, the new infotainment system is made to sweep you off your feet. The exterior design is slightly different from the last version making it more attractive and the safety aspects of the 330i are simply unmatched. Honestly, we cannot come up with a reason for you to not acquire this car and it can be arguably the best experience to take the BMW 3 Series home.