There was a time when choosing a BMW 3 Series over its primary rivals in the compact luxury car segment was an easy decision, especially if you enjoy the act of driving. Today, the 3 Series still adheres to the qualities that made it popular in the first place and remains a rewarding choice for enthusiasts, but it's no longer the only game in town. In addition, many alternatives to this BMW offer appealing traits unavailable in a 3 Series, like an electric drive system, a wagon body style, and more value for the money.
Last year, the seventh-generation 3 Series received its midlife updates right on schedule, and a redesign is rumored to arrive for the 2026 model year. As such, there are not any significant changes to the 2024 BMW 3 Series. It continues with turbocharged four- and six-cylinder gas engines and a turbocharged plug-in hybrid powertrain, each paired with rear-wheel drive or BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The high-performance M3 remains in the lineup but is reviewed separately.
If we sound lukewarm about the 2024 3 Series, know that we still enjoy getting behind its steering wheel, firing up its engine, and seeking out fun roads to explore. But this BMW faces more capable competitors than ever, which dilutes its appeal. For additional perspective on the 3 Series check out the Edmunds testing team's full Expert Rating of the car.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe 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.
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.
Rated for you by America's best test team.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.
How comfortable is the 3 Series? Our test 330i suffered from an overly firm ride. We suspect our test car's optional sport suspension (as part of the M Sport package) and possibly the rough-riding tires were the cause. If you're worried about comfort, we'd suggest getting a 3 Series without the M Sport package. We do like the 3 Series' quiet cabin at highway speeds. Plus, the front seats are supportive and have plenty of available adjustments.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating belowHow’s the interior? The driving position is superb, providing excellent sightlines and a just-right relationship between the driver, the steering wheel and the pedals. The controls are for the most part straightforward and easy to decipher, including no-brainer buttons for skipping tracks and handy virtual sliders for adjusting cabin temperature. You can control the central display screen either by touch or with a knob, and the latest iDrive software is both responsive and intuitive. On paper, the interior is about as spacious as other compact luxury car cabins, though the BMW's wide doors make it a bit easier to get in and out, especially in the rear.
How’s the tech? The 3 Series is available with all features we've come to expect from a modern luxury vehicle, but the fully digital "curved display" dashboard is a game-changer. We've previously found fault with various aspects of the 3 Series' iDrive infotainment system, even highlighting its complexity as a Con. That's not the case anymore. The massive central touchscreen looks great, and the interface is so intuitive that the traditional iDrive knob down by the shifter seems almost superfluous. If you'd rather let your phone take over that screen, Apple CarPlay performs flawlessly. The video-gamey digital instrument panel may rankle BMW purists with its lack of traditional circular gauges but, hey, it's a tech-first world and BMW knows it.
In terms of driver aids and active safety, BMW charges a modest fee if you want to add common features like adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance. We've found the adaptive cruise control system's braking to be a bit abrupt at times, but in general these features operate unobtrusively.
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 seatback is split 40/20/40, and the sections 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.
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.
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.
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.
We recommend the 330e plug-in hybrid version. It doesn't cost much more than a base 330i, but it provides an estimated 22 miles of electric driving before switching to hybrid operation. Better yet, there is no penalty in terms of performance.
The 2024 BMW 3 Series sedan lineup includes the 330i, 330e and M340i. Each one has a slightly different mission. The 330i is the entry-level 3 Series while the 330e is a plug-in hybrid. The M340i is the sportiest and most powerful. Keep reading for our editors' curated breakdown of each trim's powertrain and standard and optional features.