2021 BMW 3 Series Review

BMW 3 Series 330e Sedan Exterior. European Model Shown.

+263

The latest-generation BMW 3 Series is a solid luxury sport sedan. But some rivals offer more impressive design and technology. Unfortunately, "benchmark" is no longer one of the descriptors that come to mind for the 3 Series.

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2021 BMW 3 Series Review

byReese Counts^{Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.}

Pros

Polished handling
Tastefully modern interior with plenty of room
Powerful and fuel-efficient engines

Cons

Infotainment system can be complicated to use
Unrefined operation of some driver assist features

What's new

New 330e plug-in hybrid version
Wireless Android Auto smartphone integration is now available
Part of the seventh 3 Series generation introduced for 2019

Overview

The current-generation BMW 3 Series sedan made its debut just a few years back, and for 2021 another new variant joins the lineup: the 330e plug-in hybrid. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and electric motor, which is integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission, create a maximum combined output of 288 horsepower. That's about 30 more horses than the base 330i.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW 3 Series 330i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$182/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

On top of that it has a hybrid battery that you can recharge at home or at a public charger to provide an EPA-estimated 23 miles of all-electric range (that drops to 20 miles when equipped with all-wheel drive). After the battery runs out of juice, the 330e pretty much drives just like any other 3 Series.

Aside from that, the 3 Series remains relatively unchanged for 2021. It's not quite as engaging to drive as some past 3 Series iterations, but this latest model — especially in M340i guise — is undeniably impressively quick and capable. And what the 3 Series may have lost in terms of driving dynamics, it's made up for it in refinement and premium touches. The interior is handsome and comfortable, and it's available with a good array of in-car tech and driver aids.

So is this 2021 3 Series for you, or should you get an Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class or Volvo S60 instead? Check out the categories of our Expert Rating to help you decide.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.0/10

How does the 3 Series drive? We tested an all-wheel-drive 330i. Its turbocharged four-cylinder is strong and responsive; you don't need to rev it much before it delivers the goods. Our test car reached 60 mph in 5.6 seconds in our testing, which is a quick time for a small luxury sedan with a base engine. The transmission shifts quickly and complements the surprisingly flexible power of the engine.

The brakes in the 330i are solid all around and one of the highlights of this car. The pedal is smooth and easy to control in casual driving but strong, stable and confident in hard use. We also like the car's agility when going around turns. With the M Sport package, the 330i's body motions are well controlled. Experienced drivers might find themselves wanting a little more playfulness, but nonetheless this luxury sedan is easy to drive quickly.

Comfort

7.0/10

How comfortable is the 3 Series? Our test 330i suffered from a surprisingly harsh ride. We suspect the cause to be our test car's optional sport suspension (as part of the M Sport package) and possibly the rough-riding tires as well. If you're worried about comfort, we'd suggest getting a 330i without the M Sport package.

We do like the 330i's exceptionally quiet cabin at highway speeds. Plus, the front seats are supportive and have plenty of available adjustments. The 3 Series' climate system is capable but operating it can be puzzling at times. Some functions are odd — syncing zones must be done through the touchscreen, for instance. Also, the system won't really adjust fan speed when in auto mode, so you'll have to do that yourself.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? It's clear that BMW put a lot of thought into the front cabin comfort and design. There's ample doorway head clearance front and rear for getting in and out, and the door grabs and handles are well placed and easy to use. The front seating is roomy, although the rear seat is best suited for two — the center tunnel eats up most of the foot space.

We're less fond of the 3 Series' iDrive infotainment system. It has plenty of functions, but they are often hard to locate in the convoluted maze of menus. Also, the layout of physical buttons and controls is generally comprehensible, but you'll have to take your eyes off the road to find the flat buttons on the console — you can't just feel them by touch. It'll take some time for owners to get accustomed to the 3 Series' control setup.

Technology

7.0/10

How’s the tech? You'd think that BMW would kill it here, but the reality is that some rival automakers are ahead of the game. For instance, the 3 Series' navigation system lacks the polished execution of Mercedes' new augmented-reality feature or Audi's Virtual Cockpit gauge cluster display. Also, the 3 Series has many advanced driving safety aids, but their effectiveness is hit-or-miss.

BMW includes one year of wireless Apple CarPlay, but after that it's a fee-based subscription. To date, BMW is the only manufacturer with a subscription model. There's still no Android Auto support. Our test car had the optional Harman Kardon audio system — we found it delivers rich, clean sound up front but less so for the rear passengers.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? The trunk is sizable, and the lid hinges are shrouded so they won't crush cargo when the lid comes down. The rear seatbacks are split 40/20/40, and they fold and lie nearly flat when down. Storage space for small items in the cabin is decent.

For family taxi duty, the 3 Series does a respectable job. The Isofix anchors for securing child safety seats are clearly marked and easily accessible under flip-up lids. There's also enough space to fit a larger rear-facing car seat behind all but the tallest drivers.

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? With a rating of 28 mpg in combined city/highway driving, the 330i xDrive is surprisingly efficient for the performance it delivers. (The rear-drive 330i is slightly more efficient, and the M340 is slightly less.) We averaged a respectable 31.3 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route, which is above expectations. Other traffic-heavy tanks yielded mpg in the low 20s.

Value

7.5/10

Is the 3 Series a good value? The 3 Series isn't the priciest offering in the segment, but it's also far from the best value. You get a quality product for your dollar with solid performance to match and complimentary maintenance as a bonus. But if you're looking for maximum value, you're better off checking out some of the other segment offerings. Warranty coverage is typical for a luxury brand.

Wildcard

8.0/10

BMW can still make a capable small sedan. For most people, this 3 Series will meet expectations. But for people who love driving for fun, the 330i will likely disappoint a little. Certainly the M340i ups the excitement a little. As for design, the cabin has character, but there are some styling elements at the rear of the car that remind us of a Lexus. That's a first for a 3 Series and not necessarily a good thing.

Which 3 Series does Edmunds recommend?

As much as we enjoy revving out the turbocharged inline-six in the M340i, the plug-in 330e offers much better value. It can go an EPA-estimated 20 miles or more on all-electric power — which can help save on gas if you're able to frequently recharge — and qualifies for available federal or state tax credits or incentives. Otherwise, it drives just like the base 330i. Whichever 3 Series you get, make sure to get the Driving Assistance package.

2021 BMW 3 Series models

The 2021 BMW 3 Series sedan is offered in three trim levels: 330i, M340i and the new 330e plug-in hybrid. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive (BMW's xDrive) is optional across the board. Although the three use different engines, all route their power through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Features include:

330i
Starts you off with:

255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine
18-inch wheels
LED headlights
Sunroof
Automatic climate control
Power-adjustable front seats
Simulated leather upholstery
8.8-inch touchscreen with navigation
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
10-speaker audio system
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

Notable options for the 3 Series include:

Leather upholstery
16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
Premium package

Digital instrument cluster
Heated front seats
Heated steering wheel
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
Ambient interior lighting
Keyless entry

Executive package

Includes Premium package features
Gesture control (allows you to use hand gestures to operate certain infotainment functions)
Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)

Driver Assistance package

Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Parking sensors

Driver Assistance Professional package

Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the 3 Series back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

M Sport package

19-inch wheels
Sport suspension
Aerodynamic body kit

Dynamic Handling package

19-inch wheels
Upgraded brakes
Sport differential (enhances traction)
Adaptive suspension

330e
It's similar to the regular 330i but has:

Plug-in hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor (combined 288 hp)
23 miles of estimated all-electric range with rear-wheel drive

M340i
The M340i gets a big jump in performance with:

382-hp turbocharged six-cylinder engine
Contents of the M Sport and Dynamic Handling packages (minus the adaptive suspension)

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#25 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the BMW 3 Series from 2008-2022.}

$572/yr

vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.27x/yr

vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

10.4%

vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 BMW 3 Series.

5 (80%)

4 (12%)

3 (3%)

2 (0%)

1 (5%)

4.7

56 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Addictive acceleration and grip

George Lakkas, 05/27/2019

2020 BMW 3 Series M340i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

This is my first review on Edmund’s. I owned a 2011 F10 BMW 550i M sport and decided to downsize once I saw the 2020 M340i. The car is amazing. Plenty of power almost instantly on tap and the grip is incredible. The steering is very sharp and precise. This car demands respect. I love the Sport Plus mode where the exhaust backfires. Sounds like a Porsche. I use the Sport Individual mode …

Very Good but not Great

Mugman, 07/29/2020

2020 BMW 3 Series 330i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Purchased my 2020 330i X drive sedan in late February. Less driving than usual due to COVID 19, but I have 3000 miles on it now, mostly back roads and some highway. Traded a '13 Audi A4 which I was very happy with but it was getting up there in miles. First the positives: Powerful engine, excellent gas mileage (averaging 32 MPG overall, again mostly side roads driving 35-50 mph, but … got 34 on the highway running at 80mph average), sporty and secure handling, strong brakes, comfortable seats, very good fit and finish of the interior, plenty of tech with the ability to disable some aggravating "safety" features like lane departure warning with assist (I keep it turned off); sport mode ramps up engine/throttle response quite well for a fun drive. Negatives: transmission, when in comfort mode, likes to grab 8th gear around 48-50 mph, so on back roads it is constantly shifting between 7th and 8th which is annoying (my Audi wouldn't grab 8th until 58mph and this worked much better--I'd rather give up 1 mpg to avoid the gear hunting); run flats lead to a jittery ride--the suspension absorbs bumps quite well, but it's the small impacts that wouldn't be felt with normal tires with slightly softer side walls that cause the problem; engine note is artificially piped in through the speakers which is fine in comfort mode, but when in sport mode, it is just piped in at a louder volume which is unnecessary and annoying; auto stop/start feature, though better than in past BMW's, is too aggressive in that it kills the engine immediately on stopping, so if you stop to parallel park and shift into reverse, the engine stops and starts constantly--I just inactivate it with every start up with the easy to reach button on the console; too much orange peel on my paint which is mediterranean blue--significantly worse than the audi; trunk is small for the size of the car; finally, when shutting the car off and getting out of it, the IP and infotainment display screens all stay on as does the radio, and they will all stay on, along with the radio, for up to 30 min unless you lock the car--my Audi inactivated everything once the driver opened the door, but I cannot find any way to do this in the BMW, so I have to lock it every time I leave it in my garage which is also annoying. Bottom line: sporty and fun to drive with a nice look, classy interior and very good fit and finish to the interior, but let down by poor ride on the run flats, subpar paint quality for a luxury vehicle, and gear hunting in Comfort mode. Overall I'm still satisfied, especially since I got 9K off the MSRP by buying in the winter (nobody wants a sedan in the winter). Update after 19,000 miles of driving and nearly 2 years of ownership: as I mentioned, the Pirelli runflat tires were horrible. They wore out at 18,000 miles. I replaced them with a brand new set of Pirelli P7AS3 all season, non-run flats, and the change in ride is dramatic. These tires are very quiet, they handle quite well, and smooth out the ride significantly compared to the run flats. They maintain all the handling grip as the run flats, so I would definitely recommend swapping them out. My car also had an issue with jerky starts when trying to accelerate from 2-3 mph, such as when rolling through a stop sign. It took two trips to the dealer, but they ultimately reprogrammed the transmission and the engine control module, and now the car drives as it should. With the drivetrain re-programming, and a new set of non-runflat tires, the car is now perfect in my opinion. Still very happy with the power from the engine and the quality of the interior

It's Fun to Drive Again

John in PA, 03/19/2021

2021 BMW 3 Series M340i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)

I've had this car for about six weeks, and I still can't wait to drive this car every time I get behind the wheel. The thing that I like the most about this car is that it does what you tell it to do - in every way. If you want to go - it goes! If you want to stop - it stops! I don't even know what you have to do to overdrive a corner - it holds the road like no car I've ever had. …

Value for Money BMW

Krish Bellamkonda, 07/02/2021

2021 BMW 3 Series 330i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

I traded in a 2020 Subaru WRX STI since the used car values for the car was higher than what I had paid. I was looking for a much more economical(fuel economy), great handling vehicle which was not marked up crazy in these times(1H 2021). So i test drove a lot of vehicles, found the steering terrible and handling not to my liking, incl. Audi A4/S4, BMW M340i and Lexus IS350. For the … money and deals on offer(16% off MSRP, with Costco Auto Program & corporate sales program incentives), the BMW 330i(RWD) was the best handling car with lots of space and awesome technology(iDrive has improved a lot and love it better than Audi's Cockpit). I dont have many options and it was much cheaper than the competition and for the pure rear wheel drive experience in a safe and spacious vehicle with gas mileage(34-40 mpg), nothing else comes close. The only drawbacks for me were steering( little vague, but I came from hydraulic power steering in STI) and lack of essential features like keyless entry(Convenience Package was not there on my vehicle). I also came from a manual transmission vehicle and I was worried about performance and the ZF 8 speed gearbox and fun handling more than make up for my loss in manual transmission. It rides beautifully and I purposefully did not opt for M Sport package which brings staggered tires and rims which hurt the handling sharpness of a square tire and rims. I dont take it to the track, so e-differential didnt matter to me as much. The biggest revelation is that M340i was something I was keen on and I honestly felt steering and handling wise, it was not as fun as the base humble 330i. The 15-20k premium is purely for the lovely engine, but the 4 cylinder surprised me with the responsiveness and efficiency. For other comparisons, Audi S4 was great, but the handling was not same as a pure RWD. Lexus IS350 had great motor, but there were space deficits. Same with G70 and Alfa Romeo. The technology is intimidating, but some of the best executions I have seen. I have owned '17 Audi A4 and '13 BMW 3 series(with old iDrive) and I can unequivocally say that it is vastly improved and voice recognition legit works and even for someone with an accent. So for the price I paid and for what I received for STI, I believe I got a great deal for a car which is no less fun than STI, but with a different feel and great gas mileage. It was hard for me to let go of the Subaru( I have had WRX and STI in the past 4 years). But BMW has upped it game with G20 (2019+ ) 3 series and it is worth evey penny as long as the MSRP is in under 45K. The options are a killer on this vehicle and please refrain away if you can and for the base vehicle, this is an awesome deal, even in these times.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 BMW 3 Series, so we've included reviews for other years of the 3 Series since its last redesign.

See all 56 reviews of the BMW 3 Series

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2021 3 Series Highlights

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

330i

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$41,250
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$182/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the 3 Series models:

Driving Assistance Professional package: Enhances the 3 Series' standard safety features with upgrades such as lane keeping assist.
Active Blind-Spot Detection: Alerts you with in-mirror lights when a vehicle is in a blind spot and vibrates the steering wheel if you attempt to change lanes.
Side- and Top-View Camera: Offers a top-down, 360-degree view of the car and surroundings to monitor approaching traffic and aid in navigating tight spaces.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.2%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 BMW 3 Series Review

2021 BMW 3 Series Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW 3 Series 330i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which 3 Series does Edmunds recommend?

2021 BMW 3 Series models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Addictive acceleration and grip

Very Good but not Great

It's Fun to Drive Again

Value for Money BMW

2021 3 Series Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW 3 Series 330i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}