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Few vehicles are as important in the BMW lineup as the enduring 3 Series. There’s a new model for 2023 that tries to stay competitive in the luxury sports sedan segment, offering a few changes on the outside that are offset by substantial interior updates. Additional technology in the form of BMW’s iDrive 8 Operating System maximizes the new cockpit of this sedan.
Let’s take a quick look at what’s new outside. Considering the recent debut of BMW vehicles, one might view the 2023 3 Series refresh as a bit conservative. You won’t find split headlights or an inner grille, although the lower grille on the fascia is larger. The corner vents have been redesigned with a distinctive L-shape, which is reflected in the LED elements of the new headlights. The notch at the bottom of the lens is gone, with the corresponding sharp body line on the fascia reduced significantly. The kidney grille is slightly wider, and the overall result is a cleaner face than the previous model.
You’ll find a similar motif on the back, though not as dramatic. The taillights retain their overall shape but are slightly thinner. The redesigned rear fascia incorporates a more L-shape with vertically oriented reflectors mounted to the black housing. They taper downwards, meeting at the base with drains on each side. Other exterior touches include special retro-styled BMW Motorsport circles on the hood, trunk and wheel covers for the M340i model, in honor of the 50th anniversary of BMW M.
The big news for this refresh comes with a glass dashboard change, and that’s it far from conservative. As expected, the Series 3 gets a large curved display that seamlessly blends the driver’s instrument panel with the center infotainment screen. Drivers get 12.3 inches of digital real estate for important information, with a 14.9-inch screen holding station in the middle. The glass cockpit needs a makeover to the center dashboard, where you’ll find slimmer vents and a relocated climate control function. Moving to the center console, the shift selector for the eight-speed automatic transmission is now replaced with a much smaller switch lever.
Along with the sweet new greenhouse comes more technology, particularly with the sedan’s iDrive system now running OS 8. BMW says the graphics and menu structure combine a smartphone-style look, with more functionality using voice commands. There are more digital features that are accessible to drivers and passengers, including the cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system, which is standard across all 2023 3 Series models. 5G connectivity is also available, up to 10 digital devices can connect and use it.
Under the skin, you’ll find the same powertrain options from the Series 3 that came out. That includes a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the base 330i, producing 255 horsepower. This is paired with electricity in the 330e plug-in hybrid for a combined 288 hp. The M340i ups the ante with a BMW 3.0-liter turbocharged I6 producing 382 hp. The 330e and M340i are available with the xDrive all-wheel drive system, and for 2023, 18-inch wheels are standard across the board.
BMW isn’t ready to talk about pricing for the new 3er just yet. For comparison, the 2022 330i starts at $42,445 and the M340i is $55,695, including destination costs. Expect the updated pricing closer to the market launch of the BMW 3 Series 2023 in the US, currently slated for July.
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