The 2022BMW 3 Series Sedan is a car that is beautifully built, has the best handling in its segment, still looks great, and has great engine options to choose from. The company had made a few welcome upgrades to the car in 2021, mostly about infotainment subscription plans, and making some quality of life features standard. Keeping the few minor changes in mind for the 2022 model year, the new 3 Series should be just as impressive.
2022 BMW 3 Series Sedan Front View
2022 BMW 3 Series Sedan Rear View
Unlike the BMWs of yesteryear, the trim levels have been altered signifibmw cantly. Instead of providing a number of powertrain options, they have streamlined the process into dividing the four-pot and inline-six engines into the 330i and M340i trims, respectively. A separate trim for the hybrid 330e is available for sale too, but that will be reviewed separately.
2022 BMW 3 Series Sedan rear view
The M340i does turn out to be slightly more expensive than it would have with just the larger engine, but the M parts on offer sweeten the deal significantly, especially for those looking for performance over luxury.
$54,295
In addition to/replacing features in the 330e trim:
14-way power-adjustable front seats
Turbocharged six-cylinder
Synthetic leather seats
M Sport differential
Tri-zone automatic climate control
M Sport suspension and brakes
10-speaker sound system
Variable Sport Steering
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support
M Sport steering wheel
The M340i looks like a lucrative deal for anyone who really likes to drive. Offering plenty of parts developed by the BMW Motorrad performance division, it offers a more aggressive, sporty drive than the 330i and 330e variants, while offering a softer suspension setup than the M3. Apart from the M parts, the M340i also features a turbocharged straight-6, which is good for 382 horsepower, which translates to great driving thrills.
The powertrain options are expected to remain unchanged for the updated 3 Series. That means, under the hood, there will be two familiar engines to choose from. First up is the 2.0-liter turbo-four which drives the base 330i RWD. It generates 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque and also has the option of the xDrive AWD. At lower revs, the torque output is strong to make commuting on the city streets at lower speeds a breeze. When you want to, you can also rev the engine freely on the freeway.
2022 BMW 3 Series Sedan Engine Bay
The next engine is the brilliant 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six which powers the M340i. This engine puts out 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, and yet again, you have the option of xDrive. The top speed of all cars is electronically limited to 155 mph. Regardless of the engine choice, you get an 8-speed automatic as the sole option. You also get manual shift modes with the gearbox through the paddle shifters mounted on the steering column. Yes, the purists will surely miss the tactility of a true manual, but you get launch control, which should make things fun.
2022 BMW 3 Series Sedan
2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300
2021 Genesis G70
$41,250 (expected)
$36,000
2.0L turbocharged I4
2.0L turbocharged I4
2.0L turbocharged I4
2.0L turbocharged I4
8-Speed Automatic
9-Speed Automatic
7-Speed Automated-manual
8-Speed Automatic
252 @ 6200
260 @ 1400
Quarter Mile (Sec)
14.7
The base car can rocket to 60 mph from standstill in 5.6 seconds, while the AWD car takes 0.3 seconds less. The M340i can pull to 60 mph in a mere 4.1 seconds in the AWD guise. The M340i also makes use of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that does not change the output figures but provides a smoother drive. The 8-speed automatic in the Bimmer is not a match for the brilliant S Tronic transmission in theAudi A4, it not only is quicker despite having lower power and torque figures, but the car costs less than the3 Series too. How does the 2022 BMW 3 Series Sedan Handle?
Of all sedans in the class, the steering rack of the 3 Series is considerably more precise and sharper. The joy gets aggravated when you encounter some twisty roads as the body control is fantastic and you will not need to shed much speed in the corners. That being said, the steering is a bit too reactive to all the bumps and abrasions on the road. The ride is harsh as well, and this is the choice one has to make. It may be among the more engaging cars in the lineup currently, but nowhere near as comfortable as the rivals.
The 3 Series is a great example of a sedan where great performance does not come at the cost of fuel economy. The base 330i should be the car of choice if you want to pick the thriftiest of the bunch. The xDrive version is a tad bit more economical than the M340i, but none of the four trims are gas-guzzlers as some of the others in the segment. You get a 15.6-gallon tank that should offer a comfortable driving range of 469 miles with the 330i and 390 miles for the M340i xDrive.
2022 BMW 3 Series Sedan
2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300
2021 Genesis G70
Fuel tank capacity (gallons)
Range (city/highway) (miles)
347.6/474
TheMercedes-Benz C300 fares far better than the competition in the overall driving range because of the large fuel tank. The 3 Series isn’t far too behind, courtesy of its best-in-class mpg figures. The other two rivals, Audi and Genesis, offer a comparatively lower range because of their smaller fuel tanks.
The interior of the 3 Series is a great place to be in, and that holds true for all the occupants. Everything from the seats to the dashboard to the door panels, the attention to detail of the brand is evident, and the upscale look of the 3 Series is certainly among the nicer ones in the segment.
2022 BMW 3 Series Sedan Cockpit Area
The front seats can fit six-foot-tall people comfortably, and both the headroom and legroom are adequate for long cruises. At the car rear, the middle passenger might face some problems because of the central hump. Apart from that, there is adequate headroom and legroom for the other two passengers.
2022 BMW 3 Series Sedan
2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300
2021 Genesis G70
39.7/56.3/42.6
36.9/54.6/34.8
Cargo Capacity (cubic feet)
10.5