The BMW 3 Collection obtained a bunch of upgrades in 2023 after which obtained some extra for the 2025 mannequin 12 months. Whereas modifications for the latest mannequin 12 months are nearer to “nonexistent” than “main,” the 2026 BMW 3 Collection isn’t precisely down for the rely. Its glorious normal tech options, peerless powertrain choices, and inoffensive styling permit it to handily stay the usual bearer for compact luxurious sedans — even when taking a 12 months off from self-improvement. We extremely advocate the G20 3 Collection, particularly the M340i, and actually multiple BMWBLOG author has acquired one for themselves through the years. You’ll be able to try our 2025 M340i evaluation and a long-term M340i xDrive evaluation for a good suggestion of what to anticipate from the 2026 BMW 3 Collection.
Engine Choices, Transmission, and Efficiency
The three Collection is accessible with four- or six-cylinder engines, xDrive all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. There aren’t actually any unhealthy selections right here, and your selection must be according to what you want the automotive to do. The usual 330i makes do with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Stepping as much as the M340i will get you entry to the legendary B58 engine, rated at 386 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The quickest 3 Collection not sporting an M3 badge is the M340i xDrive, which may reliably obtain a zero to 60 mph time of round 4.1 seconds.
Gasoline Economic system and Actual-World Effectivity
The 2026 BMW 3 Collection doubtless gained’t be examined for gas economic system, however we count on effectivity to stay unchanged from final 12 months’s mannequin. Rear-wheel drive vehicles get one of the best gas economic system, because the 330i achieves 28 mpg metropolis and 35 mpg freeway for a mixed 31 mpg mixed. Regardless of an enormous energy benefit, the M340i achieves almost as spectacular numbers, returning an estimated 27/33/29 mpg. xDrive drops these numbers just a bit bit, and each vehicles get 29 mpg mixed and 26 mpg within the metropolis. 4-pot fashions have a slight benefit on the freeway, getting 34 mpg the place the M340i xDrive will get 34 mpg.
Inside Options and Cargo House
The three Collection inside noticed minor enhancements simply final 12 months, and nothing modifications for the brand new mannequin 12 months. SensaTec comes normal and is greater than “ok,” however a $1,500 upcharge for Vernasca leather-based is decidedly affordable. We advocate stepping as much as a minimum of the $1,100 Comfort Bundle on 330i fashions, which provides a heated steering wheel, energy tailgate, and extra driver help options. The $900 Harman Kardon sound system might be definitely worth the improve too, though in case you’re a real audiophile you’ll doubtless wish to look to the aftermarket.
With 17 cubic toes of trunk area, the 2026 BMW 3 Collection outperforms each the Mercedes C-Class (12 cubic toes) and Genesis G70 (11 cubic toes). The Audi A5 — keep in mind, the Audi A4 is now MIA — is technically extra of a hatchback. Because of this, it affords commensurately extra room for issues, 26 cubic toes. However so far as conventional three-box sedans go, the three Collection continues to be an ordinary bearer for the section.
Expertise and Connectivity
All the newest techno gadgetry comes normal with the 2026 BMW 3 Collection, together with a 14.9-inch middle display and 12.3-inch instrument cluster. Voice instructions, navigation, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM radio are all included. The three Collection, in comparison with its rivals, affords a whole lot of worth on this realm, with rivals like Mercedes providing the necessities — like wi-fi telephone compatibility — however not lots of the extras. Essentially the most tech-savvy buyers will doubtless discover a whole lot of worth within the Premium Bundle. For $1,950, you get a head-up show, distant engine begin, and many extra driver aids.
Security Options and Driver Help Choices
The 2026 BMW 3 Collection comes with lane-keeping help, Ahead Collision Mitigation, and pace restrict information displayed within the sprint. Virtually every part else from BMW’s suite of driver help options might be added, nevertheless it’ll value you. Once more, the Comfort Bundle is straightforward to advocate, because it additionally consists of blind spot detection and lane-departure warning. Finest $1,100 you may spend on a brand new 3 Collection. Previous that, the $500 Driving Help Bundle can be an excellent worth. It provides distance management to cruise management programs, which can even be capable of carry your automotive to and from an entire cease. Quick stops (below three seconds) solely, although. Apparently, it has truly gotten $200 cheaper year-over-year. Worth!
Different worth buys embrace the $800 Parking Help Bundle, which now additionally consists of aspect safety and continues to supply self-parking and a 360-degree digicam system. We’re much less favorable of the $1,700 Driving Help Skilled Bundle. However in case you really need your 2026 BMW 3 Collection to drive itself in rush hour site visitors, there isn’t any means round it.
Pricing and Trim Breakdown
Final 12 months, the three Collection began at $45,400. This 12 months, you’ll pay somewhat bit extra. Base MSRP for the 2026 BMW 3 Collection is $47,500 earlier than vacation spot charges ($48,675 all-in). The Genesis G70 is a discount by comparability, commanding $44,245 and providing extra horsepower, normal driver aids, bigger 19-inch alloys, and a cabin with a couple of extra buttons in it. That could be a constructive or a unfavorable relying on who you’re. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class begins at $49,600; in the meantime the liftback A5 might be yours for across the identical.
Closing Verdict: Ought to You Purchase the 2026 BMW 3 Collection?
As we mentioned at the beginning of the story, we’ve put our cash the place our mouth is a number of occasions all through the G20 3 Collection’s lifecycle. It’s a hard-to-beat worth in its section and does an important job channeling traits that ha made BMW an important worth for many years. The 2026 BMW 3 Collection begins manufacturing in August 2025 and can stay in manufacturing by means of subsequent 12 months.
