Model research hub
BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series is a compact executive car sold since May 1975 across eight generations, the current G20/G21 generation. CarGurus says the F30, from 2012, has a better reliability record than the E90 it replaced, but that 2012 and 2013 models still draw plenty of criticism from outlets like Consumer Reports, so it recommends steering clear of the very earliest ones. The 2026 3 Series starts at $49,350 for the 330i with the M340i at $63,650.
What the BMW 3 Series is and who buys it
Wikipedia (opens in a new tab) describes the 3 Series as a compact executive car made by BMW since May 1975, the successor to the 02 Series, produced in eight generations from the E21 (1975) through the F30 (2011) to the current G20/G21 (2018). The 2026 3 Series has a 2.0L four-cylinder mild hybrid or a 3.0L six-cylinder mild hybrid, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, rated 29 to 31 mpg combined by the EPA, about $2,500 to $2,650 a year in fuel. Kelley Blue Book base prices are $49,350 for the 330i, $51,350 for the 330i xDrive, $63,650 for the M340i and $65,650 for the M340i xDrive.
Best and worst 3 Series model years
CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says the fifth generation, new for 2006, consisted of the E90 Sedan, E91 Sports Wagon, E92 Coupe and E93 Convertible, and that the F30 generation, which followed, has a better reliability record than the E90 it replaced. It adds that 2012 and 2013 F30 models still get plenty of red ink from outlets like Consumer Reports, so it recommends steering clear of the very earliest ones. CarsCounsel (opens in a new tab) publishes its own year-by-year guide and points to the M3 for track-focused reliability data on the performance variant.
How it compares
The Car Connection (opens in a new tab) says the Genesis G70 punches hardest on value, with an attractive starting price and stronger standard equipment than the 2026 3 Series or the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Questions buyers ask
Which BMW 3 Series years should I avoid?
CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says to steer clear of the very earliest F30 models, the 2012 and 2013, which still draw criticism from outlets like Consumer Reports.
How many generations of the BMW 3 Series are there?
Wikipedia counts eight, from the E21 in 1975 to the current G20/G21.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 BMW 3 Series is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder (mild hybrid) or 3.0L turbo inline-six (mild hybrid), rated at 255 / 386 horsepower across its compact luxury sedan body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 4 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2026 3 Series seats 5 and is a Compact luxury sedan.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2026 3 Series.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 BMW 3 Series
330i uses the 255-horsepower mild-hybrid turbo four; M340i steps up to a 386-horsepower mild-hybrid turbo six. xDrive AWD is optional on both.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
8 indexed BMW 3 Series model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 BMW 3 Series | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 BMW 3 Series | 2025 record → | |
| 2022 BMW 3 Series | 2022 record → | |
| 2021 BMW 3 Series | 2021 record → | |
| 2020 BMW 3 Series | 2020 record → | |
| 2019 BMW 3 Series | 2019 record → | |
| 2016 BMW 3 Series | 2016 record → | |
| 2015 BMW 3 Series | 2015 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the BMW 3 Series.
The BMW 3 series is a line of compact executive cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the 02 series and has been produced in eight generations.
Source: BMW 3 Series (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
BMW 3 Series at a glance
- Production
- 1975–2026
- Class
- Compact executive car (D)
- Predecessor
- BMW 02 Series
BMW 3 Series generations
The BMW 3 Series has been redesigned in 1982, 1990, 1998, 2004, 2011, 2018, gaps of 7, 8, 8, 6, 7, 7 years, an average of 7.2 years between generations. The current generation (seventh generation, G20/G21/G28) began in 2018.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | E21 | 1975–1982 | The E21 was launched in 1975 and replaced the 02 Series, borrowing the naming convention first introduced with the first generation E12 5 Series. |
| Second generation | E30 | 1982–1990 | On its introduction in 1982, the E30 was produced solely as a 2-door sedan. |
| Third generation | E36 | 1990–1998 | The E36 arrived in 1990 and was sold in an enlarged variety of models: a sedan, coupé, convertible, wagon (marketed as "Touring"), and hatchback (marketed as a "Compact"). |
| Fourth generation | E46 | 1998–2004 | At the turn of 1998, the E46 was launched as a sedan, with later coupé, convertible, wagon (marketed as "Touring"), and hatchback (marketed as "3 Series Compact") models being added. |
| Fifth generation | E90/E91/E92/E93 | 2004–2011 | The E9x was first made available in 2004; produced in the sedan, wagon (marketed as "Touring"), coupé and cabriolet body styles. |
| Sixth generation | F30/F31/F34/F35 | 2011–2018 | The F30/F31/F35 has been produced in the sedan, coupé, convertible, station wagon and 5-door hatchback ("Gran Turismo") body styles. |
| Seventh generation | G20/G21/G28 | 2018–present | The BMW 3 Series (G20) was unveiled at the 2018 Paris Motor Show on 2 October 2018. |
Year by year
The BMW 3 Series across 12 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 BMW 3 Series | 29–31 | $2,550–$2,750 | 4 |
| 2025 BMW 3 Series | 29–31 | $2,500–$2,650 | 4 |
| 2024 BMW 3 Series | 26–29 | $2,650–$3,000 | 6 |
| 2023 BMW 3 Series | 26–29 | $2,650–$3,000 | 6 |
| 2022 BMW 3 Series | 25–30 | $2,600–$3,100 | 6 |
| 2021 BMW 3 Series | 25–30 | $2,600–$3,100 | 4 |
| 2020 BMW 3 Series | 28–30 | $2,600–$2,750 | 2 |
| 2019 BMW 3 Series | 23–30 | $2,600–$3,350 | 5 |
| 2018 BMW 3 Series | 23–36 | $2,500–$3,350 | 17 |
| 2017 BMW 3 Series | 23–36 | $2,500–$3,350 | 17 |
| 2016 BMW 3 Series | 23–35 | $2,500–$3,350 | 17 |
| 2015 BMW 3 Series | 23–36 | $2,500–$3,350 | 17 |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the BMW 3 Series, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Electric range, miles | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 2026 | Engines: 3L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid | Engines: 3L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid | |||
| 2024 to 2025 | 6 to 4 | 27.5 to 30.0 | Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, 3L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid | Labels: 330e Sedan, 330e xDrive Sedan; Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI, 2L 4-cyl SIDI; PHEV, 3L 6-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid; Fuels: Premium and Electricity | |
| 2021 to 2022 | 4 to 6 | Labels: 330e Sedan, 330e xDrive Sedan, 330i Sedan, 330i xDrive Sedan, and 2 more; Engines: 3L 6-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid | Labels: 330e, 330e xDrive, 330i, 330i xDrive | ||
| 2020 to 2021 | 2 to 4 | 29.0 to 27.5 | first listed: 22 | Labels: 330e, 330e xDrive; Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI; PHEV; Fuels: Premium and Electricity | |
| 2019 to 2020 | 5 to 2 | 26.5 to 29.0 | Labels: 330i xDrive Gran Turismo, 330i xDrive Sports Wagon, 340i xDrive Gran Turismo; Engines: 3L 6-cyl SIDI; Size classes: Large Cars, Small Station Wagons | ||
| 2018 to 2019 | 17 to 5 | 29.5 to 26.5 | Labels: 320i, 320i xDrive, 328d, 328d xDrive, and 4 more; Engines: 2L 4-cyl, 2L 4-cyl SIDI; PHEV; Transmissions: Manual 6-spd; Fuels: Diesel, Premium and Electricity | ||
| 2016 to 2017 | 29.0 to 29.5 | Labels: 330i, 330i xDrive, 330i xDrive Gran Turismo, 330i xDrive Sports Wagon, and 1 more | Labels: 328i, 328i xDrive, 328i xDrive Gran Turismo, 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, and 1 more | ||
| 2015 to 2016 | 29.5 to 29.0 | first listed: 14 | Labels: 330e, 340i, 340i xDrive; Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI; PHEV; Fuels: Premium and Electricity | Labels: 335i, 335i xDrive, ActiveHybrid 3 |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 BMW 3 Series trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 330i | RWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 255 | 295 | 3,644 | – | 31 | $49,350 |
| 330i xDrive | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 255 | 295 | 3,752 | – | 29 | $51,350 |
| M340i | RWD | 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 386 | 398 | 3,896 | – | 29 | $63,650 |
| M340i xDrive | AWD | 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 386 | 398 | 4,008 | – | 29 | $65,650 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every BMW 3 Series model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 255–386 | 3,644–4,008 | – | 15.6 |
| 2025 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 255–386 | 3,644–4,008 | – | 15.6 |
| 2024 | 6 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid, Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 255–382 | 3,536–4,180 | – | 10.6–15.6 |
| 2023 | 6 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid, Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 255–382 | 3,536–4,180 | – | 10.6–15.6 |
| 2022 | 6 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid, Turbo) / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 255–382 | 3,560–4,138 | – | 10.6–15.6 |
| 2021 | 6 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid, Turbo) / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 255–382 | 3,560–4,138 | – | 10.6–15.6 |
| 2020 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 254–382 | 3,589–3,968 | – | 15.6 |
| 2019 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 248–330 | 3,589–4,145 | – | 15.8 |
| 2018 | 11 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 4-Cyl, SULEV, Turbo, 2.0L / 4-Cyl, Trbo Dsl, 2.0L +2 | 180–320 | 3,370–4,103 | – | 10.8–15.8 |
| 2017 | 11 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, 2.0T / 4-Cyl, SULEV, Turbo, 2.0L +2 | 180–320 | 3,370–4,103 | – | 10.8–15.8 |
| 2016 | 11 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 4-Cyl, Trbo Dsl, 2.0L / 4-Cyl, SULEV, Turbo, 2.0L +2 | 180–320 | 3,320–4,010 | – | 10.8–15.8 |
| 2015 | 11 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (SULEV, Turbo) / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo Diesel) +2 | 180–335 | 3,340–4,010 | – | 15–15.8 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Compared with
Models this BMW 3 Series is most often compared with.
Nearest BMW models
Other BMW models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 3 Series come in?
The 2026 BMW 3 Series (compact luxury sedan) comes in 4 trims: 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive.
Q02What are the 2026 3 Series trims?
The 2026 BMW 3 Series trims are 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, listed from the entry 330i up to the top M340i xDrive.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 3 Series use?
The 2026 BMW 3 Series is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder (mild hybrid) or 3.0L turbo inline-six (mild hybrid), rated at 255 / 386 horsepower across its compact luxury sedan body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 3 Series have?
The 2026 BMW 3 Series is rated at 255 / 386 horsepower (2.0L turbo four-cylinder (mild hybrid) or 3.0L turbo inline-six (mild hybrid)).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 3 Series?
The 2026 BMW 3 Series is offered with RWD / AWD.