by Karl Furlong
The BMW 3 Series feels like coming home to loved ones after a long day of interacting with a group of strangers at a badly organized networking event. It's familiar, comforting, and just makes sense, which is saying a lot in a BMW lineup that has become increasingly foreign and at odds with the German brand's time-honored strengths of simplistic style and driver-focused dynamics. There's the oddball 2 Series Gran Coupe that sends power to the front wheels, the latest 4 Series with its Bugs Bunny face, and a sea of M-badged models that are mind-blowingly fast but have lost their sense of connection to the driver. The 3 Series is far less polarizing. It looks good, handles as well as anything else in this segment, sends power to the right axle, is beautifully built, and comes equipped with three refined powertrains, topped by the 382-horsepower turbocharged inline-six in the M340i. Even with talented rivals like the Audi A4 and the Genesis G70, the 3 Series' spread of talents is hard to match. In some cases, familiarity leads to monotony, but there's nothing boring or unwelcome about the sustained excellence of the BMW 3 Series.
BMW has made numerous detail changes to the 2022 model BMW 3 Series and these have mainly to do with the standard equipment. A digital gauge cluster is now standard across the board. Some items are removed as standalone options, while others are added. Various trim finishes are changed and new interior and exterior colors are added. Various packages are also tweaked in terms of the standard equipment they contain.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 330i Sedan |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
Rear-Wheel Drive
|
$41,450 |
| 330e Plug-In Hybrid Sedan |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Hybrid
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
Rear-Wheel Drive
|
$42,950 |
| 330i xDrive Sedan |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$43,450 |
| 330e xDrive Plug-In Hybrid Sedan |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Hybrid
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$44,950 |
| M340i Sedan |
3.0L Turbo Inline-6 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
Rear-Wheel Drive
|
$54,700 |
BMW did its homework with this latest G20 3 Series, which once again resides in the upper echelon of the segment for fun driving dynamics, an area in which the previous-gen model fell behind rivals from Alfa Romeo and Jaguar. The 3 Series' steering rack is sharper and more precise than you'd expect of a sedan in this segment, once again setting the BMW apart from its peers. Coupled with fantastic body control, it's a joy to thread the 3 through a few fast sweeps. On the downside, the steering is more affected by bumps in the road than the likes of the C-Class, which does a better job of cushioning imperfections. That brings us on to the 3 Series' ride, which is firmer than some would like. Although the 3 Series has never been as soft as a Mercedes or even the Audi A4, it seems that BMW has gone too far in the other direction in pursuit of a sporty drive, with both small and large imperfections being felt in the otherwise serene cabin. Even in Comfort mode, many would argue that a practical family sedan should better cushion occupants. In our BMW 3 Series review, we found that on smooth surfaces, the sedan impresses with excellent noise suppression and rock-solid stability, while the powertrains are hushed most of the time, too. Optionally available is an adaptive M suspension.
Despite the weight of expectation that stems from decades of 3 Series generations dominating the segment, the latest G20 effortlessly extends the legacy of one of BMW's core models. It's back to being one of the most enjoyable cars in the segment to drive thanks to sharp handling, a well-tuned chassis, and two exceptional powertrains. Inside, it's both beautifully built and spacious for all occupants, and it comes with just enough equipment to justify the price. Weaknesses include a ride that is too harsh, the absence of a manual gearbox, and an interior that isn't particularly exciting to look at. There are also numerous excellent alternatives in this segment, such as the Audi A4 and Genesis G70, not to mention the sporty Alfa Romeo Giulia. But for the most part, BMW's sedan ticks all the boxes expected of a 3 Series, and if that's not high praise, nothing is.
Our reviews demonstrate that like the BMW, the Audi A4 is an exceptional all-rounder in this segment. Although the A4 has a lower base price, this version of the Audi makes do with a less powerful 201-horsepower engine, so it isn't quite as fast as the base 330i. However, the A4's more powerful optional 261-hp 2.0-liter engine makes this version a good match for the 330i. With quattro all-wheel drive, the A4 provides sure-footed handling but isn't as entertaining to drive fast as the 3 Series. However, the Audi has a smoother and more cushioning ride. Both cars have sturdy and logical interiors with a similar amount of space for passengers, although the BMW wins on headroom. Pushed for a decision, we'd side with the BMW for its spirited powertrains and brilliant handling.
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class ushers in a new generation of Merc's popular luxury sedan. Inside and out, it's never looked more like a mini S-Class than it does now. It comes with a stunning 11.9-inch touchscreen display as standard, providing access to the brand's latest MBUX infotainment system. A new 48-volt on-board electrical system promises greater efficiency, and the 2.0-liter turbo-four's 255 hp and 295 lb-ft are identical to the 330i's outputs. Other impressive technologies in the new C-Class include biometric authentication, improved driver-assistance systems, and a new steering wheel with capacitive touch controls. When we drive the new C-Class, we expect these two cars to once again be very closely matched. The Mercedes should have the edge as it's the newer vehicle, but we wouldn't count out the BMW just yet.
The most popular competitors of 2022 BMW 3 Series Sedan:
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
Volkswagen
Volvo