The 2023 BMW 3 Series Is Still The Compact Luxury Sedan To Beat 

This man did a video in the rain.....just for us. What a beast. 👍

just picked up my 2023 330i yesterday. Love instantly....HVAC in the infotainment is very easy to use. Don't need buttons. You can always tell your BMW to change temp etc by voice if you don't want to use the screen.

Thank you BMW for continuing to offer a choice of RWD and AWD for nearly all trim levels of the 3 and M3

Stopped considering this car when I found out there are no physical controls for the HVAC system. Having a clean interior is nice, having a functional interior is better.

Alex was cranking that Tina earlier 😆

Alex As always clear concise and very informative. Good work! Thanks Bob Mollot -Seattle

Hi Alex, in the hybrid, the battery doesn't live in the trunk but rather takes space where the fuel tank usually resides, while it is the fuel tank that goes in the trunk.

Can't wait for Alex's review of the BMW X5 50e, seems like a great package but the MSRP coupled with the tax credit changes may make it too expensive as an upgrade over the 45e

wish they brought the 3 series TOURING! this 3 series is why it's rated #1 on Consumer Reports

How come you did not add the g70 into the segment?

There are few things I hate more than HVAC controls in the infotainment. My wife is on her 3rd C-class. If we had to replace it tomorrow, I would try to convince her to avoid the current C-class, due to mess of the current MBUX system with its stupid touch sensitive controls.

I’m that guy lol currently looking to get a new car within the next year and considering higher end Camry (waiting to see the redesign) or potentially get into a 3 series. Thanks for the review!

Great video Alex, but I think the pricing chart points are placed incorrectly? I also think the scaling is a bit off.

Excellent as always, thanks Alex.

I have this car. Only difference is I have the shadow line package and red brakes. Amazing car. You get used to the hvac buttons. Worse case bmw voice controls have vastly improved since 2019.

Just put my order in for a M340i xdrive here in Canada today. My Mercedes C43amg(bought new in late 2016) is now approaching 8 years old and about time for a change. I could not justify the price of the new C43, and the smaller 4 cylinder engine. I got the M340 for a little more then 11k less equipped how I like. Another draw was the reliability rating of BMW currently. They’re rated 3rd best in the industry which is a positive. Oh and the drive with the B58. Perfect vehicle for my daily use.

I'm on my second Giulia and love it! Zero problems but it's getting a little old and a 330 or M340 might be next for me. Why was there no mention of the G70?

Really wish they had kept the wagon version of this.m, it’s a great platform.

The Accord *used to be* the 3-series of family sedans. It's a bit less sharp these days, and frankly, one might say the 3-series is also now the Accord of sport sedans. Lines = blurrrrrrry. LOVE the spider chart reference, btw. And eesh, is the Lexus IS ever old.

This will be my dream vehicle to buy Alex.

You make excellent videos, thanks!

The 330e is currently available with a $7500 federal tax credit (may be expiring at the end of March) - That is a huge discount vs other versions of the 3 series. Most auto journo's are recommending that one. You can charge it with your standard wall outlet - so no special charging accommodations are required for most people.

how does the BMW 330i’s interior space compare to the Acura Integra or Honda Civic Hatchback?

Loved the video. Why is there no comparison to a T5 S60?

Great review as usual Alex. I owned a 2010 3series and loved it. However, after a few rattles, lack of ventilated seats (personally my biggest gripe, but then that was not available on most luxury cars in this category), run flat tires which are on the firm side and their resulting expense, the over-alI cost of ownership after the expiration of the warrantee. Example, the cost of a 12volt battery was over $400 at the time and then my battery installer had to call BMW to reset everything on a Saturday evening when the dealerships were closed, I switch to the Lexus and have never looked back. You just said " the benchmark does not have to be the best in every thing..." well, Lexus was good at most for me, including said ventilated seats, excellent standard safety features, comfortable and smooth ride, and higher resale value. To me, lack of reliability translates to lack of quality and although I did not have any major problems with my 3series I would never buy a car just based on so-called "innovation" especially when that car technological wise, is not really giving anything more when comparing apples to apples in practical everyday livability usage.

I have to agree with Alex. When it comes to all around vehicles the 3 series and C class hit the nail. Some other cars do some specific things better but those two have top tier interiors, infotainment, and drive great. Everything else gives up something while being better at another.

I don't know exactly why I hate the BMW digital speedo and tach so much. But holy hell they're not getting any better.

great jobs as always alex

I test drove a 2021 BMW the other day (I own a 2011 328xi) and I was quite disappointed with the hard noise the doors make when you shut them. In a luxury brand, I expect the door to do a low "thump" noise. Even my daughter which is clearly not a car enthusiast noticed it. She thought she slammed the door too hard but after a few gentle tries it was doing the same hard noise. On another front, I thought the front seat would give me a bit more headroom (I am 6 feet) after a few generation after my current BMW but I have to push the seat almost all the way down otherwise my hair brushes the ceiling. I don't know if the A4 is the same.

Oh no. Gone is the center console shifter I was so used to. Also, not a fan of a infotainment screen. It’s no longer signature BMW look

It's sad that BMW doesn't give a manual option anymore because the B48 engine with a manual, properly tuned can definitely beat a Civic Type R. B48 can easily be tuned for 400HP, the 330i is a bit soft so a stiffer dampers can help. The car even stock I drove was easy to rotate on tight turns.

The first BMW I ever drove was the legendary 2002. It was a revelation, and a joy to drive. The car seemed like an extension of the driver. It wasn't fast but, boy, was it fun to drive. All its successors have followed in that tradition. Unfortunately, those beautifully simple ergonomic cockpits of old are a memory. The interior has grown progressively overwrought and less elegant. The "3" has always been the best "Bimmer". One caveat with the Bimmer, aside from Germany, BMW drivers in the rest of the world tend to suffer from "aholeness" 😆

IMO, the best looking of the current generation 3 series. Put the M3 engine in this and you have a winner. But knowing BMW, they won't do it. I'd still have a Lexus IS though.

Fighter835, what do you mean there is no physical control of the HVAC system? Of course there is, otherwise how would it know what temperature you wanted?

This will be my dream vehicle to buy Alex)

Two things I don't like. 1. The gauge/infortantment screen. Should have left them separate. 2. The gear selector stalk gone for a little toggle switch.

The torque is what is under rated on these. A brake power dyno machine shows the HP is at its rating, but the torque is much higher than rated. For example, the 2023 M340i is rated at 382 HP and 369 Torque. Dyno measurements show 383 HP and 421 Torque. That's 50 more foot pounds!

4:07 - black turn signals….. you mean red….

no timestamps Alex?

There’s no way the trunk is nearly 17 cubic feet. That’s accord sized

“Talkin to you Lexus IS” I love that infinity wasn’t even mentioned in the video.

*"sport sedan"* absolutely spot on with that although I think the Toyota Prius for ahem *BARELY* 4 door* ahem definitely thrown down the proverbial gauntlets excluding pure BEV Tesla

Really nice. That said I can’t stand that color leather. Looks like baby poop. When you know you know 😂 excellent review as usual 😎👍🏼 sticking with my TLX. Similar spec and great value.

Pretty thorough, BUT Is it 48 volts? How about reliability?

I find very little to fault with the overall design. The Achilles heel is the lazy execution of the propped-up picture frame style IP and infotainment screen. I suppose genuine design integration was a profit margin killer.

Totally agree. I chose the Giulia in 2017 and don't regret it but the 3-Series was a close second. The biggest problem with BMW is you can't keep them very long. After 5 or 6 years the wear out items fail and the cost is astronomical relative to the value of the car at that time.

The size chart is wrong. A4 is longer, C class too (you probably used numbers of their previous gen?), regarding current models the 3-series is shorter (in length) than both.

Can't wait for the m3ev!

Alex, Did this one come up from Mexico?

That front end looks awesome... Unlike the 4 series.

So they scrapped the beaver grill and reverted back to the classy normal one?

I absolutely hate the fake engine noise.

3series has not been under Friday night for very long time for most people. It’s has become well blended flower wallpaper @ your g’ma guest bathroom.

Nice comment for Lexus! DESPERATELY needed!

Love the Beemers, always a great car. But I have to say, I much prefer the Audi lineup when compared head to head. For tangible and intangible reasons it just feels like a more luxurious, sporty and sophisticated ride. The tech is unsurpassed by anything BMW has to offer. That's important to to me, as well as looks, ride and amenities. I borrowed and drove the BMW extensively, but bought the Audi. Part of the purchase was due to your review Alex.

What about Mazda 6 as a more competitive competitor than Accord/Camry?

I have a 2021 330i which I LOVE...my lease is up soon, however, and the dealers around me have no new ones in stock! I hope this car shortage sorts itself out soon

I like the exterior of the lci but prefer the interior of the pre LCI. I drive 8 has too many things going on. Not a fan of the integrated climate controls and the thumb drive shifter is not cool at all. Just when 3 series gets closer Mercedes drops a c class bomb.

That rear seat is a big reason for people to move to a crossover. The tunnel is way too big and the lack of head room.

Great review Alex as always. I'm not a fan of the new dash, which is really just a screen and not sculptured. Just a slab. Also it all looks too complex. Not really interested.

I have bmw 328i , f30 body style, great car, I also have model 3. Rwd. Love it even more , best car ever. Thinking of selling my bmw.

It's worth noting that even though everyone loves the Toyota/Lexus reliability, the B series engines in the Beemers have proven pretty darn reliable over the years. Light years above the N series engines before them.

Why is it so hard to find a 3 series with ventilated seats?

I much prefer the pre refresh 3 series. This is a step backwards especially getting rid of the physical climate controls. It’s like BMW wants you to buy the competition.

Interesting the much bigger CT5 has no more interior room than the 3 series. Wow

Nice car, but I just can’t get past the replacement of the hood and instrument cluster with two large screens.

i have been driving 3 series my entire life. Literally, my first car was a used base model E90 323i, then a F32 435i (basically a 3 series, but 2 fr) now I have been driving my G20 M340i for 3+ yr now. As I am pushing 30, I think I am growing out of 3 series. The seat is just not that comfortable for me. 1hr drive gonna kill my back in each of my 3 series. I think I am a 5 series guy now.

BMW has finally integrated the tablet from other models into the 3. What a sad day. While the new one is sophisticated, it takes so much from car design, personality and physical functionality. Inside the car now feels more like a phone/tablet with a steering wheel :/

Q70? I thought they stopped making that in 2019

Great review. Totally hate the digital-tablet dash. Germans like technology for technology's sake, not because it's a better way to get things done. I wonder what the replacement cost is for each screen? Probably a good idea not to know and just lease it. Forget about owning one.

Hey Alex. Did you lose weight? You look younger too. Good review!

M440i GC here. I had an M340i and the stock M-sport suspension was too firm for my liking. The adaptive M-sport suspension on my M440i GC is perfect. If you get one of these cars, get the adaptive suspension. This car is absolutely phenomenal with it.

I'd go with a genesis 3.3T for 46K new

Genesis forgotten. Probably looks better then anything here.

The new dashboard looks too bland and lacks any character. It just looks like a super wide iPad smh.

I just want apple car play in a screen, and the ability to change stuff without going through the screen. HVAC, defrost, seats, windows, mirrors and wipers as a minimum should not require any screen ever.

I think this reviewer has eloquently expressed the reasons I bought the BMW 330iX over the competition. For me it wasn't close. I found that the Mercedes was a disappointment in the C-Class for me and doesn't seem to have the luxury OR the sport that the 3 series has. I don't find too much road noise in mine. Maybe I'm going deaf! The factory tires in my 330iXDrive model are not as smooth as I would like, and I'm not a fan of run flat tires. I might buy a spare and go to a higher quality tire (not run flat) when it is time. I think the base sound system is very good for a base level system. It doesn't compare to the premium systems on any of the cars that I drove that had that, but for base level, it's great. The front seats have enough room for me and I'm a very large man (6'2" and well-padded). I don't feel cramped at all. I don't care too much about rear seat room because our medium sized pooch is the usual passenger. When my wife and sister rode back there recently on a short excursion they were quite comfortable but they are both around 5'3". My last sport sedan that I purchased is a MB C-Class and I loved it but it is old and retired. I may use it for a winter car. We have a Jeep but my wife likes to drive it all the time.

I had pretty much forgotten this car even existed. Feels like it hasn't been redesigned in 10 years and has gotten really stale. The new digital screen is great, but looks like it was literally glued on to the old dash.

What about the Genesis G70?

Hahahaha. I have the exact same color and wheel configuration. Changing temperature is a hassle while driving. Bring back physical climate buttons.

Between my wife and myself, we have an IS 500 and a 330i. I had an IS 350 for about 1.5 years before upgrading to the IS 500, and my wife's 330i has been in our care for almost 2 years. I honestly think the 330i was the superior vehicle to the IS 350 in most respects. The ways in which is wasn't superior probably don't matter to most shoppers of vehicles in this category - styling, better-bolstered seats, a naturally-aspirated V-6 instead of a turbo I-4, and the promise of dependability. The 330i simply feels more modern all-around. However, I agree with Alex that the IS 350 is the one I'd rather throw around on a back road. Even though the 330i feels lighter, it also feels more distant and vague, and the fake engine sound that can't be defeated is a real bummer. However, on day-to-day journeys, the 330i feels effortless and agile, making it arguably the better daily driver. Of course, the IS 500 is a different story. Having the V-8 means it, too, feels effortless around-town, while having about 10 times the character of either the IS 350 or the 330i and more straight-line pulling power. It's not really a fair comparison. I've never driven an M340i, so it would be interesting to see how it compares with an IS 500.

The height of the industry....the height of a mechanic's lift, yes.

The digital display behind the steering wheel looks ugly and afterthought.

Traded in my 2020 330i M Sport for a 2023 330i M Sport, and my new one drives NOTHING like the old. The 2020 lacked something. It didn’t drive like a BMW. This new one is PLANTED to the ground. Drove them all from the Guilia to the G70. Doesn’t drive like a BMW. They just do it right.

Alex one important aspect to note is the reliability factor. BMW reliability has risen to a much higher rating than Mercedes. Not even close.

What’s the Q70?? Infiniti?? Do u mean the Q50? Since the Q70 is discontinued? 🤷🏿‍♂️

4:07 the turn signals are black 😂

Tina Turner 🎼 🎶 ❤

Wish I could get M340i in my country.. but nope, it's either the 330i or the M3 😂 over here the 330i sold for about the same price as it is in the US (roughly $58,000 here), but the M3 is sold for about $160,000 USD.. like, why??? Lmao

Long hoods are safe for wrecks

This and the g70 and even the Kia stinger are my favorites to get in this class Btw nice diss on Lexus.

You go girl

The exterior styling is simply so Toyota. And though it's very nice to have a wide display like this, this looks so awkward. Jacked up on the dash like it's an add-on bought from an aftermarket accessory shop. From the look on the entire interior and exterior styling, I can't see how it can be a benchmark for any proper car. This is definitely made for people who buy a BMW because simply 'I want BMW'

Very good car (I've owned four of them), but, in the end, Mercedes is better, except for mileage.

I know that looks are subjective but, how could the S60 look better than this if the S60 is a FWD platform that has been artificially proportioned to elongate the hood to appear as a RWD? 🤷🏻‍♂️ The 3 Series isn’t perfect but it definitely beats the Volvo in the looks department IMO

I wish they kept the physical buttons and also added the big screens. The buttons looked good before. Overall, I’d take the 3 series over all the other ICE cars, but I think I would rather keep my Model 3.

The 3-series based EV "i3" exists but currently a China-only vehicle.

I believe you forgot to mention the Acura TLX A-SPEC AWD. Reliability and quality and much cheaper to maintain once the warranty has ended. Incidentally, I own the 2021.

Lexus IS should not be in the comparison. People buying cars from this segment would rank the hike of algeneline as their top priority. If people want a car that's reliable and has good longevity, they can pay 1/3 of the price of an IS to buy a Corolla or Camry, and they perform the same.

Totally disagree, the BMW’s styling is not better than an IS. I do agree Lexus has sacrificed innovation for lower maintenance costs, but I’m okay with fewer trips to the dealer and needing a courtesy car. (Bimmer, Audi, and Mercedes.) And the IS is most definitely a luxury car.