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The BMW 3-Series is the benchmark compact sport sedan. It’s fun to drive in its base form and its M3 variants push performance to track-ready levels. It takes on worthy rivals such as the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
With its exemplary balance of ride, handling, and luxury, the 3-Series earns a TCC Rating of 7.2 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
The 3-Series gets a slight refresh for 2023 after its 2019 redesign. New for most models are slight changes to the nose and a larger new touchscreen interface. The M3 doesn’t get those updates, but adds a new line-topping M3 CSL model.
The interior and exterior changes apply to the 330i, 330i, and 340i models. On the outside, they retain an elegant version of the BMW twin-kidney grille, but now with slimmer headlights and revised outboard air intakes. The car’s profile keeps the long nose, short tail look that defines a sport sedan, and we think the 3-Series is one of the better looking vehicles from a brand that keeps aiming for overly bold. Arguably, that’s the best way to describe the large nostrils of the M3 models.
Inside, all but the true M models now get a 14.9-inch touchscreen that connects to a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster under a single pane of glass. The new touchscreen eliminates some buttons to handle more vehicle controls, including the climate settings. The interior look, however, remains welcoming, tech-laden, and luxurious. The cabin comes slathered in high-quality, well-assembled materials, and even the standard synthetic leather upholstery looks good. The angular theme works here, and the cabin looks even better when any color other than black is chosen for the upholstery.
Power and handling are the 3-Series’ stock and trade. The 330i features a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that makes 255 hp, but it feels even more powerful. The 330e plug-in hybrid ups the output to 288 hp thanks to a 111-hp electric motor; it also delivers 23 miles of electric driving range. The M340i uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 that cranks up the output to 382 hp.
M3 models start out at 473 hp and range up to 543 hp from greater and greater tunes of the turbo-6. The 543 hp is reserved for the new M3 CSL. The quickest to 60 mph, however, is the M3 Competition xDrive because its all-wheel-drive system puts the power down more efficiently, allowing it to hit 60 mph from a stop in 3.4 seconds.
All models use a slick-shifting and seemingly clairvoyant 8-speed automatic transmission; the M3 is the only way to get a 6-speed manual with the typical smooth and short BMW shifts.
Handling is a strength throughout the 3-Series lineup, though the steering could use more weight and more road feel. M340i and to a greater extent M3 models sport sharper moves, bigger brakes, and firmer suspensions. While the base cars ride well, the M3 Competition and CSL are uncomfortably firm.
On the larger end of compacts, the 3-Series has good space for front passengers, with great seats that hug occupants. The rear seat has enough room for a pair of 6-footers, but the sculpting that will make two comfortable squeezes out the space to make a third feel anything but pinched. The trunk is large.
How much does the 2023 BMW 3-Series cost?
The 3-Series comes in 330i, 330i xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, M3 Competition xDrive, and M3 CSL models. The 43,295 330i gets synthetic leather upholstery, power seats with driver’s seat memory, a sunroof, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.9-inch touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
It also comes standard with automatic emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. Buyers can also get active lane control, active blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and automatic parking.
Where is the 2023 BMW 3-Series made?
In Mexico.
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