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- Highs Powerful and refined powertrains, spacious and luxurious cabin, many standard and optional technology features.
- Lows A bit less sporty than it used to be, conservative exterior design, manual transmission is not an option.
- Verdict The 3-series is larger and more luxurious than ever, but it remains a proper sports sedan for those who love to drive.
Overview
All new for 2019, the iconic and perennially popular BMW 3-series remains one of the more dynamic luxury sedans available. The 2020 BMW 3-series is the largest 3-series to date, and while some purists will complain it's not the pure sports sedan that it once was, it's still a thrill to drive with sharp handling, powerful and refined turbocharged engines, and a responsive automatic transmission. Although its exterior design is a bit conservative, the redesigned interior offers class-leading comfort, quality, and style.
What's New for 2020?
Last year BMW offered only the 330i, and that model is essentially unchanged for 2020. Updates include a $500 price increase, and the standard Live Cockpit Plus system now includes navigation. The Connected Package Plus is now standard, too, adding real-time traffic, BMW Remote Services including stolen-vehicle recovery, remote door unlock, and BMW Connected App and Concierge Services. The popular $2350 Premium package option has been tweaked. It now includes a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, head-up display, Live Cockpit Professional, and Connected Package Professional. Live Cockpit Professional remains a single option, but the price has been reduced to $1100. More important, BMW now offers the more powerful M340i model, which has been tuned by BMW's legendary high-performance M Division to deliver additional power and sharper handling. Both 3-series models are turbocharged, but the 2020 BMW M340i is powered by a six-cylinder engine, while the 330i is still powered by a four-cylinder.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
For ultimate power and performance, the M340i will satisfy; however, an all-new version of the iconic high-performance M3 will offer even more speed and it isn't far from reaching the market. The 3-series that offers the best combination of luxury, performance, and value is the all-wheel-drive 330i xDrive. It's fun to drive, packing enough power and handling to thrill, but it also offers a smoother ride than the M340i and costs significantly less. BMW also offers that model with the M Sport package, which adds its M Sport suspension for improved handling and a few exterior enhancements.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
An exceptional 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine powers the 2020 BMW 330i. It's remarkably smooth, fitted with a single turbocharger, and it makes 255 horsepower. The all-wheel-drive 330i xDrive accelerates to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, which is seriously quick, and matches the performance of its main rival, the Audi A4. For more speed, the new 2020 BMW M340i is equipped with a 382-hp turbocharged inline-six, which is incredibly refined as it revs to 7000 rpm. With rear-wheel drive, the M340i rockets from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, which is considerably quicker than the all-wheel-drive 353-hp Audi S4. In a comparison test with the 2020 Genesis G70, we chose the M340i as the better sports sedan. BMW no longer offers the 3-series with a manual transmission, which is sure to irk some of the sedan's longtime loyalists. Instead, every 2020 BMW 3-series gets an eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode as well as Manual mode. With snappy shifts and smooth operation, it's one of the best automatics we've ever experienced. Paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel are standard. A plug-in hybrid model–called 330e–will join the lineup for the 2021 model year.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Despite the impressive power of its engines, the 2020 BMW 3-series also delivers some of the highest fuel-economy numbers in its class. With rear-wheel drive, the 330i is rated by the EPA to deliver an estimated 26 mpg city and 36 mpg on the highway. With all-wheel drive, those numbers dip to 24 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. With its elevated horsepower, the fuel economy of the M340i is considerably lower but no less impressive considering its performance. Its ratings are 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway with either rear- or all-wheel drive. In our testing, both models achieved 23 mpg in mixed driving.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
With its increased size, the 2020 BMW 3-series now offers one of the most spacious interiors in its class, with more headroom than before and a sizable increase in rear legroom. There's also more shoulder room for the front seats, so the sedan's cabin no longer feels cramped. Outward visibility has also been improved, and the standard sport seats are well-bolstered, supportive, and they offer extensive adjustment, so it's easy to get comfortable. The overall quality of the interior's design and assembly are also among the industry's best. Nothing feels cheap inside the 3-series and its controls are well placed. A power-operated sunroof is standard, and all cabin lighting is done with LEDs. The BMW's digital instrument cluster is a bit cluttered, but it's attractive and assiduously modern. Some may find the counterclockwise sweep of its tachometer needle odd, but you get acclimated to it quickly. With 17 cubic feet of space, the 3-series also has one of the largest trunks in its class, and a split 40/20/40 folding rear seat is standard. A power trunklid is available.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Every 2020 BMW 330i comes with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, but its infotainment system can also be controlled with a large knob and buttons on its console or with voice commands. The Live Cockpit Plus suite of features, which now includes navigation, is standard. But for the really good stuff, you'll need to spring for the similarly named Live Cockpit Pro package, which increases the size of the touchscreen to 10.25 inches and gives you the latest and most capable iteration of BMW's iDrive system. Onboard Wi-Fi is available separately, along with a wireless phone-charging pad, but the sedan does come with two USB ports. You also have to pay extra for SiriusXM satellite radio. Apple CarPlay is standard but Android Auto is not available. A unique option is BMW's Gesture Control, which allows the driver or passenger to input certain commands with hand gestures. It's more novel than helpful, but it'll wow your friends.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
BMW is skimpy when it comes to standard driver-assistance features. Forward-collision warning and daytime pedestrian detection with city braking are standard on the 2020 BMW 3-series, but there's a long list of other systems on the sedan's option choices. A lane-departure warning system is available along with active cruise control, active blind-spot detection, rear-collision protection and cross-traffic alert. We also recommend the Parking Assistance package. It'll practically park your 3-series for you and includes a surround-view camera with 3D imaging. The 2020 BMW 3-series has earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which is the organization's highest honor. The 2020 3-series has not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and daytime pedestrian detection with city braking
- Available active cruise control
- Available active blind-spot detection
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
BMW's warranty is average for the segment; however, every BMW comes with complimentary scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles and four years of roadside assistance.
- Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary scheduled maintenance for 3 years or 36,000 miles
