German carmaker BMW unveiled the updated 3 Series Sedan and 3 Series Touring wagon for the model year 2023. It comes with slight changes to its exterior, but moreover, it also received interior improvements on the tech side of things. Let’s check it out in detail.
The 2023 BMW 3 Series sedan and touring variants
Exterior
Starting with its exterior design, the updated 3 Series gets several new elements. In particular, the iconic kidney grille now looks more angular. BMW also did away with the indent on the lower portion of the LED headlamps, so the said part looks sleeker and slimmer as well.
Down below the grille is a boxier-looking intake, which replaces the trapezoidal one on the older version. They also replaced the large-ish side vents in favor of thinner L-shaped vents.
It gets a pair of slimmer LED headlamps, and a sleeker front end overall
The sides of the new 3 Series do look similar to the outgoing BMW 3 Series model, though one can see that it uses a set of 18-inch alloy wheels that bear a new design.
The rear of the vehicle mirrors the front end in that it has also gained more angles. The L-shaped LED taillights and dual exhaust tips, though, make a return.
The new 3 Series may also come with a different set of 19-inch alloy wheels, chrome accents for the kidney grille, a pair of trapezoidal exhaust tips, a large rear apron, among others.
A view of the 2023 BMW 3 Series's rear end
Interior
Inside, the driver of the updated 3 Series is provided with a new 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, which is seamlessly integrated into the touchscreen headunit. The set of controls below the front air-conditioning vents was also reduced making for a more minimalist look.
The air vents for the three-zone automatic air-conditioning system, as well as several other interior trim pieces, have also received a redesign. Even the gear shifter has been trimmed down into something that looks more like a toggle switch.
The updated 3 Series's cockpit
Besides those bits, the new BMW 3 Series still comes with plenty of soft-touch surfaces. Most of these, including the seats, are clad in leather. The steering wheel however, does look identical to the outgoing model.
On the M Sport package, the interior of the new 3 Series gets more niceties. This upgrade includes what BMW has dubbed the Aluminum Rhombicle Anthracite finish which provides a textured look to the car’s door cards, and other pieces of the interior. Also included is an M leather steering wheel.
Tech & Safety
As mentioned, the new 3 Series now comes with a sizable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. This is then connected to a 14.9-inch touchscreen iDrive infotainment headunit. Together, these form a curved high-resolution display.
The said headunit gets the latest BMW operating system. It can also accept voice commands via the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, and it can connect to smartphones via Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available as an option to the 3 Series is a Harman Kardon surround system.
A closer look at the 3 Series's new curved display
Other high-tech features found inside the updated BMW 3 Series depending on the trim include a drive recorder, wireless smartphone charging, a heated steering wheel, heated seats, as well as a heads-up display.
Safety-wise, the 3 Series for 2023 may come with a lane departure warning system, automatic emergency braking, active blind-spot detection, parking distance control, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, active lane keep assist, traffic jam assist, among others.
Engine & Performance
For engines, the new 3 Series has three different engine options. The base-model 330i gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 that’s capable of producing up to 255 horsepower.
The 330e meanwhile uses the same engine, but then it's paired to an electric motor as well as a battery pack. Combined, this powertrain outputs a bit more at 288 horsepower. Being a hybrid though, it also comes with around 35 kilometers of electric-only range.
Last but not the least is the 2023 M340i. It gets a larger 3.0-liter turbo inline-6 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain capable of churning out 382 horsepower.
A closeup of its center console
For transmissions, all 3 Series trims use an eight-speed automatic, and all come standard with the BMW XDrive all-wheel-drive system.
Of note, the M340i also gets more in the way of performance as it comes standard with an M Sport differential, an aero kit, a rear spoiler, an M Sport suspension, among others. Those though can be applied to the 330i and 330e as an optional package.
As mentioned, the 2023 BMW 3 Series is yet to be released globally. In Germany though, the 3 Series sedan may start at around Php 2.4 million (before taxes and other fees) at current exchange rates. And of course, we are excited to see the new BMW 3 Series reach our shores sometime in the future.
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