2026 BMW 3 Series

Name: 2026 BMW 3 Series
Brand: BMW

Release Date: Early 2026

Estimated Price: Starting about $48,000

The 2026 BMW 3 Series is among today's best small luxury sedans. Spirited handling, a relaxed ride and impressive fuel economy make it a bargain even at its premium price. Options can quickly escalate that price, though, and some rivals offer more for less. But overall, the 3 Series remains a benchmark.Read full review

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2026 BMW 3 Series Review

Pros

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

Cons

Ride quality can be a little too firm at times
Most of the 3 Series' advanced driver assist features aren't standard

Overview

Written by automotive expert Dan Frio

9/4/2025

The BMW 3 Series combines performance and luxury like few others in its class. Since its debut in the mid-1970s, the 3 Series has earned its reputation as a driver's car with alert, responsive handling, ample power, relaxed ride quality and polished fit and finish. It's an expertly balanced formula infused throughout the lineup, from the entry-level base trim to the thrilling high-performance M3. There's never a bad time to buy a 3 Series, but a new-generation model is on the way. If you always like to have the hottest tech, you may want to sit tight for the forthcoming redesign, but if you like the current version, don't wait too long to buy.

Edmunds spotlight: Sunset on the seventh-gen

Great soul singer Sam Cooke once intoned "a change is gonna come," but for the BMW 3 Series, it won't be this year. BMW prolongs the suspense as it readies the eighth generation of its durable compact sport sedan. The current 3 Series, now in its seventh year of production — ancient for a luxury sport sedan — gets a few new extra standard features, including a digital key (lets you lock, unlock and start the 3 Series with your phone and share the key with up to five people) and lane keeping assistance. The forthcoming new model may look quite different, with a taller window line and chunkier, angular proportions inspired by this Neue Klasse concept car. Revised versions of the current engines should carry over, and a hybrid is likely to return. An all-electric model will also likely join the lineup. If you like the look of today's 3 Series, get to your dealer sooner than later.

Competitors to consider

The big two German rivals, Audi and Mercedes, continue to figure in BMW's strategy. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers a more polished interior and impressive advanced tech, but it's not as sporty or responsive as the 3 Series. The Audi A4's lively handling and similar features make it a closer match for the BMW, but Audi will discontinue it after 2025 (to be replaced by an A5 hatchback-style model). The Volvo S60 is a stylish European alternative with an available plug-in hybrid version, while the Genesis G70, Cadillac CT4 and Lexus IS all offer affordable alternatives.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Clint Simone

Very Good

8.3

out of 10

We drove the 2026 BMW 3 Series on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Driving experience

8.5/10

How does the BMW 3 Series drive? For an entry-level BMW, the 330i is fulfilling. Its turbocharged four-cylinder engine has lots of torque, providing more than enough power in everyday driving. Its 5.7-second run to 60 mph on our test track confirms that it's no slouch (despite being much slower than its six-cylinder sibling, the M340i). The 330i handles well too. Our test car had the optional M Sport suspension. It kept the car balanced around corners and didn't make the ride quality too firm or harsh when driving over bumps. In general, driving a 3 Series is pretty easy. The transmission shifts smoothly and unobtrusively. Outward visibility is pretty good, especially if you get the optional surround-view parking camera system. We also like how the optional hands-free highway driving system can reduce the tedium of driving in slow-moving highway traffic.

Comfort

8.1/10

How comfortable is the BMW 3 Series? It's easy to get in and out of the 3 Series thanks to big door openings and a wide range of seat and steering wheel adjustments. The 3 Series is spacious as small sedans go, with sufficient elbow room for front and rear passengers. We also like the 3 Series' quiet cabin at highway speeds and effective climate system that easily keeps you cool on hot days.

In-cabin tech

9.5/10

How’s the tech? BMW puts most of the car's controls in the quick and responsive touchscreen. You can also access them by using voice commands or the control knob on the center console. While we prefer physical buttons, we like the customizable interface.

You can connect your phone to the car through a wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The initial pairing with Apple CarPlay proved a little more complicated than we're accustomed to in our testing. Luckily, it's a one-and-done affair, and it worked fine once connected. Wireless charging is also standard.

Storage & cargo

8.5/10

How’s storage and cargo? The 3 Series has a 13-cubic-foot trunk, which is slightly roomier than average for a small luxury sedan. Only a hatchback like the Audi A5 Sportback offers a significantly larger cargo area. A folding 40/20/40-split rear seat lies nearly flat and adds versatility.

In-cabin storage isn't abundant, but there's enough to go around between the door pockets and center console. One phone can find a home in the wireless charging tray. Easily located LATCH anchors make it a breeze to install a car seat base, but the 3 Series' inherently compact size might force a front seat occupant to move forward if you need to place a rear-facing car seat

Value

7.6/10

Is the BMW 3 Series a good value? The 3 Series feels like a modern vehicle inside and out. The cabin is full of impressive materials, and the build quality is pretty much the best you'll find in this class of vehicle. But BMW's warranty isn't anything special, and many of the car's desirable features are optional. For example, you'll need to pay extra to get the surround-view camera system, parking sensors and even adaptive cruise control. Rival sedans, such as the Acura TLX and Lexus IS, give you more features for less money.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

MPG

8/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates that the rear-wheel-drive 330i gets 31 mpg in combined city/highway driving. This is quite good for a luxury sedan. The all-wheel-drive 330i and the sportier M340i are only slightly less efficient, getting 29 mpg.

X factor

8/10

The latest 3 Series generation has held up well over time. BMW has kept it fresh with tech and powertrain updates that make it feel modern among its competitors. It's also genuinely fun to drive, which is important considering the heritage and expectations associated with BMW's brand.

2026 BMW 3 Series trim level differences

The 2026 BMW 3 Series sedan lineup has two models: the 330i and the M340i. The entry-level 330i gets a turbocharged four-cylinder engine (255 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque), while the M340i delivers a decidedly more high-performance experience with a turbo six-cylinder engine (386 hp, 398 lb-ft) paired to a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Both work with an eight-speed transmission to provide standard rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive (xDrive) is optional for both engines.

Which 3 Series trim does Edmunds recommend?

The 330i's turbocharged four-cylinder is strong enough that most drivers won't miss upgrading to the six-cylinder. If you're a performance enthusiast, by all means get the M340i. But we think the base trim will satisfy most buyers with its signature mix of comfort, tech and athletic handling. We'd advise adding the Driving Assistance Professional package if you have a nightmare commute and the upgraded Harman Kardon sound system for a little sonic serenity.