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Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie Car2023 BMW 3-Series: The Driver’s Car
The 2023 BMW 3-Series takes a big step forward with an improved infotainment system and appealing interior appointments. Read our full review here.
What’s New for the 2023 BMW 3 Series?
BMW equips the 2023 3-Series with a number of technological advancements for 2023. First and foremost it gets the brand’s big new curved display with almost twice the real estate, 14.9 inches than it had last year.
Many of the climate controls are now located inside of the infotainment system as opposed to on physical buttons or switches. In addition, the exterior styling of the 3-Series has seen a mild refresh for 2023.
2023 BMW 3 Series – bmwusa.com | Shop 2023 BMW 3 Series on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Fantastic driving characteristics
Excellent infotainment system
Top-notch interior
Lacking safety equipment
Very expensive top trims
Love it or hate it looks
Another future classic
2023 BMW Specs
- 255 horsepower from base engine
- 294 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 4 available trims
- 17 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- New curved display
- 5-star crash test rating
- Complimentary service for three years
2023 BMW 3 Series Powertrain
There’s a lot to love about the way a 3-Series drives. Regardless of trim and packaging, it’s nimble, responsive, and provides great feedback about what’s happening on the road through the steering wheel and pedals. The base engine, found only in the 330i, is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 255 hp and 294 lb-ft of torque. It’s almost perfectly in line with rivals and provides solid punch around town and on the highway.
Above it is the 330e which uses the same four-cylinder engine but adds electrification for a grand total of 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. We haven’t had the chance to drive the 330e but those figures suggest a very mild improvement in terms of acceleration and throttle response.
The M340i might be the sweet spot as it uses a mild-hybrid turbocharged six-cylinder to make 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. That’s more than enough for a spirited canyon-carving afternoon or a quick lap or two at a local track day. Better yet, BMW also imbues the M340i with proper performance features like a limited-slip differential, a sport-tuned suspension, and upgraded brakes.
At the top of the pile is an icon, the M3. Every other 3-Series in the lineup gets an eight-speed automatic transmission only. The M3 gets a six-speed manual and it’s paired with a raucous 473 hp inline-six. It’s a hoot in every way and at the same time manages to be composed and balanced on the edge.
2023 BMW 3 Series Fuel Economy & MPG
Fuel economy ratings for the 3-Series start at the bottom with the M3 which gets up to 16 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway according to the EPA. The M340i xDrive gets up to 23 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway and the gas-only 330i manages 25 and 34 respectively. The 330e gets a combined rating of 28 mpg and 75 MPGe. It can go up to 23 miles on electric power alone.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
There’s one thing about the inside of the 3-Series that we always appreciate, it’s incredibly well-built. The seats are supportive yet not overly stiff. The controls are ergonomically laid out and at the same time feel great to the touch.
Nothing feels cheap or as though it were part of a cost-cutting measure. It’s hard not to love the driver-focused skew that most controls have on them too. We do miss the shift lever that’s now gone in favor of a toggle switch but thankfully, both are gone in the manually-equipped M3.
Rear seat space can be a bit cramped for taller folks but it should be an issue in most situations. Cargo space is decent regardless of which 3-Series one might choose. However, it’s worth pointing out that the 330e does lose about 4 cubic feet, down from 17 in a normal 3-Series to just 13 in the 330e due to its hybrid components. Thankfully, the seats fold down to provide additional space. That’s not something that every luxury sedan can claim.
Entertainment & Technology
BMW now offers its big and bold curved display in the 3-Series and it’s a real winner. Functionally, it’s easy to navigate, looks stunning, and provides all the information one might need at a glance. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay also make an appearance and integrated navigation utilizes cloud-based data to provide the best route for that day, time, and traffic condition.
The iDrive controller continues to improve too with better precision and BMW will even include a wireless charger should you pay them for it. Other optional equipment includes a heads-up display and a Harman Kardon sound system. If there’s anything we’d change it’s adding more physical controls for climate settings as you’ll find in the Audi A4.
Safety Features
While the NHTSA gave the 3-Series five stars in its crash testing protocol, it’s worth noting that the 3-Series isn’t an IIHS Top Safety Pick. In fact, the 3-Series comes with very little to rival the safety packages found in competitors. Standard safety features include forward collision mitigation and lane-departure warning. Those who want other features like adaptive cruise, lane-centering assist, and lane-departure mitigation will have to pay more on this already pricey car.
2023 BMW 3 Series Trims & Pricing
Every trim of the 3-Series comes standard with rear-wheel drive but AWD, what BMW calls xDrive, is available across the board.
330i – $44,795
BMW starts the 3-Series out with 18-inch wheels, run-flat tires, LED headlights, black exterior trim, power-folding heated side mirrors, a 12.3-inch driver display, and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen.
Also included with the 330i is a 10 speaker sound system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cloud-based navigation, a sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers.
The 330i interior includes ambient interior lighting, power-adjustable front sport seats, faux leather upholstery, and open-pore wood oak grain trim.
Safety equipment includes forward collision mitigation and lane-departure warning but doesn’t include other features like adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, or lane-centering assist.
330e – $45,895
The plug-in hybrid 330e keeps all of the same features as the 330i but instead uses the aforementioned PHEV drivetrain delivering 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
M340i – $57,395
The sporty M340i starts out with the mild-hybrid six-cylinder engine making 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. It adds 18-inch M wheels, an M Sport suspension, an M Sport differential, a rear spoiler, more aggressive exterior design features, and keyless entry.
M3 – $75,295
The full-fat M3 gets everything but the kitchen sink regarding performance. It starts out with 18-inch wheels in the front and 19s in the rear but adds adjustable driving modes, an M Sport rear differential, a carbon fiber roof, adaptive suspension dampers, leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated front seats, a 16-speaker sound system.
The M3 comes with a manual transmission mated to a 473 hp six-cylinder engine. Safety equipment includes parking sensors, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.
M3 buyers also have the option to add a number of packages that up the ante even further. The Competition package adds a 503 hp version of the same engine along with an eight-speed automatic transmission only. The Competition xDrive adds all-wheel drive. For 2023 only there’s a limited Edition 50 Jahre BMW M with classic BMW badging, unique wheels, special paint colors, and carbon fiber accents.
Warranties
Every BMW 3-Series, regardless of trim, gets full bumper-to-bumper coverage, including the powertrain, for four years or 50,000 miles. On top of that, they all get three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. It’s one of the very best warranty packages in the business. Keep in mind though that Genesis offers a lot more on top of this package with the G70.
What we think
2023 BMW 3 Series – press.bmwgroup.com | Shop 2023 BMW 3 Series on Carsforsale.com
The BMW 3-Series continues its long tradition of being an outstanding driver’s car. At the same time, it does so at a price that might not be as attractive as it was in the past. The 330i and 330e both offer a really good value for money though.
Those looking at M340i would do well to cross-shop the Genesis G70 3.3T which offers very similar behavior and luxury for about $10k less. The M3 doesn’t have much direct competition but at $75,000 it’s hard to justify. Still, it’s worth checking out new car incentives to figure out if you can make a deal.
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