The 3 Series sedan is vital to BMW’s health. Though the company’s customers have gradually shifted into SUVs such as the BMW X3, and despite the automaker splitting apart the previous 3 Series lineup by rebadging the coupes and convertibles as the 4 Series, the 3 Series remains popular with people who are new to the family and with people who’ve driven BMWs for years.
BMW last redesigned the 3 Series for 2019, and it can’t sit idly by as newcomers like the redesigned 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class attempt to siphon customers. Therefore, it is no surprise that the 2023 BMW 3 Series gets its predictable mid-life refresh, bringing with it mild styling updates and a massive technology upgrade in the form of a new BMW Curved Display.
As it did before, BMW will offer the 2023 3 Series as the 330i, 330e, and M340i. As you may have already guessed, the powertrains carry over from 2022. That means the 330i has a turbocharged 4-cylinder, the 330e has a plug-in hybrid electric version of the 330i’s engine, and the M340i has a turbocharged inline 6-cylinder.
Separately, the M3 performance variant remains available, and if it gets any changes for 2023, we’ll report on those when BMW officially announces the details.
- Revised exterior styling and interior design
- New digital instrumentation and infotainment screens under a single curved display
- 3 Series models sold in North America will now come from BMW’s new factory in Mexico
- 2023 BMW 3 Series prices should start in the low-$40,000 range
- The 2023 BMW 3 Series release date is July 2022
The 3 Series is a volume model for BMW, so its styling remains middle-of-the-road when many of the automaker’s other vehicles push the limits.
That’s why the 2023 3 Series hasn’t adopted the larger grille design seen on the M3 and all versions of the 4 Series. Instead, new headlights and LED daytime running lights flank the relatively sedate redesigned grille. BMW says the new lights are slimmer than before and notes that the outer daytime running lights also serve as the turn signals.
The new 2023 3 Series comes with updated front and rear bumper styling, fresh 18-inch wheel designs, standard Shadowline trim, and new colors that include Skyscraper Grey Metallic and Brooklyn Grey metallic (depending on the model). In addition, the automaker also offers satin aluminum exterior trim and its custom BMW Individual paint colors for the car.
An updated M Sport package for the 330i and 330e brings chrome grille accents and revised aero bodywork. The package also includes a large central air intake up front and a unique rear apron in the back. In addition, cars equipped with the M Sport package get a standard sport-tuned suspension, variable sport steering, and 19-inch wheels.
The M340i includes M Sport design but features an exclusive mesh grille design, 18-inch double-spoke wheels, trapezoidal exhaust outlets, a rear spoiler, and exclusive BMW badges.
BMW says the 2023 3 Series benefits from a “comprehensive update” to the interior, including a fully digital display experience with two large screens underneath a single curved display. A new transmission gear selector, slimmer center air vents, and a larger strip of trim also debut in 2023.
Standard and optional equipment is similar to what BMW offered in 2022.
BMW offers three powertrains in the new 3 Series, each one carrying over from 2022.
In the 2023 BMW 330i, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 255 horsepower. It pairs with an 8-speed automatic transmission and powers the rear wheels. BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system is available for the 330i.
The 2023 BMW 330e has the 330i’s powertrain married to an integrated electric motor and a battery pack. Total output measures 288 horsepower, and, based on 2022 EPA fuel economy ratings, the 330e should provide between 20 and 22 miles of electric driving before reverting to gas-electric hybrid operation and returning between 25 mpg and 28 mpg in combined driving. The xDrive AWD system is optional and results in the lower range and efficiency figures.
Stepping up to the 2023 BMW M340i brings a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This engine produces 382 horsepower, sent through an 8-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels. You can also get the M340i with xDrive.
The new 3 Series will get the same safety features and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that came standard in its predecessor. They include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system.
BMW will offer two safety-related option packages for the 2023 3 Series. The first is a Driving Assistance Package that brings blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, parking sensors, and BMW’s Active Driving Assistant technology.
Additionally, a Driving Assistance Professional Package adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance, front cross-traffic warning, evasive steering assistance, and traffic jam assistance.
The 2023 3 Series has a new BMW Curved Display as standard equipment. It features a 12.3-inch instrumentation display and a 14.9-inch infotainment system touchscreen. It is the most important change for the new model year.
In addition to the new screens, the BMW Curved Display switches to a next-generation iDrive 8 operating system. BMW says it designed the interface to look and function like a smartphone display, and the layout adapts to the driving situation.
The technology runs a new navigation system that uses cloud-based maps and dynamic route calculation. The system anticipates traffic and other delays and routes the car around the obstacles. In addition, the connected parking system can help you find an open spot near your destination.
An updated Intelligent Personal Assistant is part of the iDrive 8 system. Now, 3 Series drivers can control physical features of the vehicle by voice, such as opening and closing the sunroof or side windows.
The car also gets 5G connectivity and can handle up to ten devices connected at the same time. In addition, the personal eSIM system allows the driver to take their internet connection to other BMW vehicles that offer the same technology.