2020 BMW 3 Series

We will be covering the BMW 330i models in this review while the M340i will be covered separately. The engine under the hood of the 3 Series is the same 2.0 L Inline-4 that was there in the last-gen model also. The 3 Series starts at a base price of $40,750 while the xDrive AWD model starts at $42,750. The 2020 BMW 3 Series competes against the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the Jaguar XE, and the Audi A4 Premium.

Apart from the performance-focused M340i, the 2020 BMW 3 Series is available only in one other trim which is the 330i. It carries a base price tag of $40,750 and comes with a plethora of features. It gets 18-inch wheels, dual-zone front automatic climate control, single-zone rear automatic climate control, automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED brake lights, express open/close power sliding and tilting sunroof, simulated leather upholstery, 2-way power-adjustable front seats, memory settings for driver’s seat and side-view mirrors, navigation system, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, 8.8-inch touchscreen display, 10-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay integration only, etc. 

It also comes with multiple safety and driver-assist features which will be discussed in detail further. Additional safety can be added by opting for the Driving Assistance and Driving Assistance Professional packages. The former will fetch you pieces of equipment like a blind-spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert system, etc. while the latter will add adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, front cross-traffic alert, a semi-automated steering wheel, etc. More packages like the Premium package and Executive package add luxury features and some exterior upgrades. Some stand-alone features include 19-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, a premium quality leather upholstery, wireless smartphone charging pad, Wi-Fi Hotspot compatibility, a 19-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system, etc. 

Which Trim should you buy?

There’s not much to choose from but the 330i is so fully packed that you don’t need to find another trim. You could also make the inside of the 330i a more comfortable place by opting for the available packages. If at all you’re looking for something more exciting, then the M340i would suit you better. However, it costs almost $15,000 more than the 330i. 

The 2020 BMW 3 Series 330i hosts a 2.0L Intercooled turbocharged Inline-4 engine which is rated at 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The power and torque figures are among the best in the segment. This engine is mated to a ZF sourced 8-speed Sport Steptronic automatic transmission. The power is sent to the rear wheel as standard. You also have the option for an AWD drivetrain by opting for the xDrive model. This will cost you an extra $2,000. 

The engine is tuned up a bit since its previous version to bring out more power. The 330i is super fun to drive. Driving is made easier thanks to the seamless shifts of the gearbox. Upshifts and downshifts are quick over widespread gear ratios. The 330i with the RWD gets to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and completes a quarter-mile in 13.6 seconds. Opting for the xDrive will improve these numbers a bit. AWD xDrive touches the 60 mph mark in 5.2 seconds and it completes a quarter-mile in 13.1 seconds only.

The BMW is the most powerful machine here followed by the Mercedes C-Class. However, the Bimmer and the Audi are the quickest to 60 mph with a time of 5.6 seconds which is impressive considering the fact that these are the base trims. The Merc and the Jaguar are a bit laid back in terms of acceleration but still impressive for the segment, nonetheless.

How well does the 2020 BMW 3 Series handle?

The newly designed 3 Series based on the CLAR platform is around 120 lbs lighter than its previous model. It has been improved in almost every aspect. It has precise steering and it has a balanced body roll so going through corners won’t throw you from your seats. The strut-type front suspension and multi-link type rear suspension is softened a bit which improves the cabin comfort by a fair margin. 

The 330i also comes with an adaptive suspension which soaks in the bumps on the road well. On the highways, ride quality is excellent. The handling is agile and super responsive giving the driver fun and entertaining experience behind the wheel. The new 3-Series keeps the reputation BMW has in making impressively well-handling machines that are agile and engaging to drive. 

2020 BMW 3 Series Braking Performance

The brakes on the 3 Series are highly potent. The front brake rotor is 12.3 inches in size while the rear brake rotor is 11.8 inches. These might not be the best in class but the feedback that these brakes give is quick and confidence-building. The pedal is firm and has a short journey. Harsh braking conditions are also handled well by these brakes as they have been engineered to have high thermal resistance. The 3 Series has a braking distance of 123 feet (60-0 mph). This, however, is not the best in class as the Audi A4 stops at an admirable distance of just 105 feet.

The biggest brake rotors in this segment are found in the Jaguar XE. It is fitted with a 13.8-inch front brake rotor and a 12.8-inch rear brake rotor. Another noteworthy mention is the curb weight. The BMW 3 series is the heaviest vehicle in the segment by weighing just under 3600 pounds but that doesn’t stop it from stopping at a short distance.

As all the sedans in this segment feature the same sized engine, their fuel economies are highly competitive. The 3 Series is rated at 26 MPG in the cities, 36 on the highways which results in a combined fuel economy of 30 MPG. This is matched by the 2020 Audi A4. They both share the podium for a class-leading mileage. Opting for the AWD drivetrain usually affects the fuel economy by a certain margin but this is not the case with the 3 Series. It will still manage to deliver a combined fuel economy of 29 MPG.

The BMW and the Audi are the most fuel-efficient options here while the Merc and Jaguar are just two figures behind the other duo. The 3 Series is fitted with a 15.6-gallon fuel tank which helps it attain a combined range of 468 miles. It is impressive but not the best range among its rivals. The Mercedes-Benz is fitted with the largest fuel tank in the segment. Its 17.4-gallon fuel tank helps it to provide a class-leading combined range of 487 miles. 

The 2020 BMW 3 Series is dimensionally a bit larger than its predecessor. As a result, it is more spacious inside. There’s plenty of space in the front row and a sizable increase in space in the rear row. Especially for tall passengers, you’ll now find more legroom and shoulder room than before. The design, build and fit of the interior is one of the finest in the segment. The dashboard and center console feature a contemporary and sophisticated design. Metal accents and leatherette inserts are prominent all over the interior. 

The front sport seats are well-bolstered and offer better outward visibility than before. The seats are simulated leather upholstered. The driver and passenger seats are 2-way power-adjustable. Memory settings for the driver’s seat and side-view mirrors are also standard on the 330i. The rear seats are 40/20/40 bench folding seats. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped with mounted controls. It is safe to call the air conditioning system a tri-zone automatic as the rear air conditioning has separate bents and controls. Overall the interior is well-built and spacious. 

When it comes to cargo capacity, the 3 Series outperforms all of its rivals in style. It can hold up to 13.0 cubic feet of luggage space inside the trunk which is the class-leading capacity. Dimensionally, the 3 Series also provides a slightly more spacious interior than its rivals. It has the most headroom and legroom in the front row of seats while the Audi A4 has a tad bit more space in the rear row. All of the cars featured here come with a luxurious interior made up of quality materials while the Mercedes looks the most elegant and the BMW the most advanced. Some of the key features of the interior are:

• Dual-zone automatic front and single-zone automatic rear climate control
• Simulated leather upholstery
• Memory settings for driver’s seat and side-view mirrors
• Cruise control
• Keyless entry
• Sport leather-wrapped steering wheel

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The most significant change in the interior is an 8.8-inch touchscreen display. The functions on the screen can be controlled by a large knob and a few buttons placed right below the air vents. The system is high-tech which now includes voice commands and a navigation system as standard. However, the iDrive 6.0 is not among the best infotainment systems in the segment. Its rivals offer a more simplified system with more standard features than the 330i.

Some features which you will get in the BMW are a 10-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay but no Android Auto integration, voice-activated Bluetooth, etc. If that doesn’t satisfy your hunger for a tech-filled cabin experience then you can opt for the Live Cockpit Pro package. This will enhance the screen to a 10.25-inch size and will also unlock features like a wireless smartphone charging pad, Wi-Fi Hotspot compatibility, and 2 USB ports. Some of the standout features are:

• 10-speaker audio system
• Navigation system
• Voice commands
• Voice-activated Bluetooth connectivity
• Apple CarPlay only
• 3 12V DC power outlets
• BMW assist eCall
• HD radio

The exterior of the 2020 BMW 3 Series has received a complete makeover and it is now sportier and aggressive than before. The front fascia comprises the iconic kidney grille that is surrounded by chrome. The headlights are sleeker and mean-looking than before. The front bumper is of a unique and modern design with subtly placed front fog lamps. To add more personality there are subtle curves on the hood. The car's side profile features 18-inch wheels, a comparatively high ground clearance of 5.7 inches, express open/close power sliding and tilting sunroof, and body-colored heated auto-dimming power-folding and adjusting side view mirrors.

The rear end of the car continues its aggressive style with the newly designed LED taillights. Some more features seen at the rear end are a power tailgate, body-colored rear bumper, and chrome-tipped dual circular exhausts. The Executive package will add adaptive LED headlights, parking sensors, an automated self-parking system, and a few more. Adaptive suspension, hands-free trunk opening, 19-inch wheels are stand-alone add-on features available on the 3 Series.

The BMW and Jaguar are the sporty-looking ones here while the Mercedes looks the most luxurious and Audi has an executive vibe to it. The 3 Series stands the tallest among its rivals and also comes with the highest ground clearance measuring 5.7-inches whereas the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has the lowest ground clearance of only 3.8 inches. The Bimmer also has the longest wheelbase in its class which is 112.2 inches while the Audi is the longer one based on exterior dimensions. Some of the highlights of the exterior are:

• Automatic projector-beam LED daytime running headlights
• Express Open/close power sliding and tilting sunroof
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED brake lights
• Body-colored heated auto-dimming power-folding and adjusting side-view mirrors

BMW is known for its highly reliable cars. However, the previous version of the 3 Series lacked some necessary driver-assist features which its rivals offered as standard. For 2020, things have changed. Features like forward-collision warning, daytime pedestrian detection with city braking assist are now standard. A huge list of additional features is also available as part of packages or standalone features. 

You can choose from packages like Driving Assistance, Driving Assistance Professional, and Parking Assistance packages. As far as crash-test safety scores are concerned, the 2020 BMW 3 Series has not been tested by the NHTSA. However, IIHS has named it as a “Top Safety Pick+'' car which is their highest honor. It is safe to say that the 3 Series holds its German reputation of ensuring passenger safety. Some of the standard and optional safety features on offer are:

• Forward collision warning
• Lane departure warning 
• Back-up camera
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Adaptive cruise control (optional)
• Blind-spot detection (optional)
• Rear-collision protection (optional)
• Cross-traffic alert (optional)

2020 BMW 3 Series vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The 3 Series’ closest rival is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The C-Class offers a phenomenal interior equipped with luxury and the latest gizmos. It also offers more standard safety features than the BMW. The BMW leans more towards a sporty output while the Merc is all about balance which it manages to do so very well. the aspect in which the BMW takes the lead in fuel economy. The Merc is slightly more expensive than the BMW but it's completely a user-based opinion to make the choice between the two. 

2020 BMW 3 Series vs 2020 Jaguar XE

The Jaguar XE means business with its aggressive stance and looks. It is slightly underpowered than the 3 Series and it also falls short on fuel economy. The British car manufacturer has made sure to give the German giants a run for their money. The XE is slightly cheaper than the BMW and is as sporty as the 3 Series. On paper, the BMW promises to be one of the best all-rounders in the segment but make sure you test-drive the Jaguar XE as well. 

2020 BMW 3 Series vs 2020 Audi A4

When it comes to the behind-the-wheel experience, both these cars deliver a fun and exciting experience but the lack of power in the Audi A4 is not a concern as it performs impressively despite the lower power output. The Audi is perfect for a tech-savvy buyer as it has one of the best infotainment systems in the segment. Its interior also packs more standard features than the BMW. As far as amenities are concerned, the Audi is way ahead of the BMW. It offers a killer deal for a price of almost $4,000 cheaper than the BMW. However, car enthusiasts who are looking for a more performance-oriented compact luxury sedan should stick to the BMW.

This fresh design of the BMW 3 Series is just waiting at the nearest dealership for you to test-drive it. It is better in almost every aspect than its previous model. It has better performance, a more spacious interior, a class-leading fuel economy, agile handling, and excellent crash-test safety scores. It is difficult to fault the 3 Series on paper. Hands-on experience suggests that the new infotainment system lacks simplicity and features which its rivals readily offer. This might be the only drawback that can be easily overlooked. For car enthusiasts who seek a fun and exciting compact luxury sedan, the 2020 BMW 3 Series is a very good choice.