The BMW 3 Collection bought a bunch of upgrades in 2023 after which bought some extra for the 2025 mannequin yr. Whereas modifications for the most recent mannequin yr are nearer to “nonexistent” than “main,” the 2026 BMW 3 Collection isn’t precisely down for the depend. Its glorious customary tech options, peerless powertrain choices, and inoffensive styling enable it to handily stay the usual bearer for compact luxurious sedans — even when taking a yr off from self-improvement. We extremely advocate the G20 3 Collection, particularly the M340i, and actually a couple of BMWBLOG author has acquired one for themselves over time. You possibly can take a look at our 2025 M340i assessment and a long-term M340i xDrive assessment 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 dangerous selections right here, and your selection needs to be per what you want the automobile 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 carrying an M3 badge is the M340i xDrive, which may reliably obtain a zero to 60 mph time of round 4.1 seconds.
Gas Financial system and Actual-World Effectivity
The 2026 BMW 3 Collection possible gained’t be examined for gas financial system, however we count on effectivity to stay unchanged from final yr’s mannequin. Rear-wheel drive automobiles get the very best gas financial 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 practically as spectacular numbers, returning an estimated 27/33/29 mpg. xDrive drops these numbers just a bit bit, and each automobiles 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 yr, and nothing modifications for the brand new mannequin yr. SensaTec comes customary 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 for those who’re a real audiophile you’ll possible need 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 — bear in mind, the Audi A4 is now MIA — is technically extra of a hatchback. In consequence, it provides commensurately extra room for issues, 26 cubic toes. However so far as conventional three-box sedans go, the three Collection continues to be a normal bearer for the phase.
Expertise and Connectivity
All the newest techno gadgetry comes customary with the 2026 BMW 3 Collection, together with a 14.9-inch heart display screen 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, provides plenty of worth on this realm, with rivals like Mercedes providing the necessities — like wi-fi cellphone compatibility — however not most of the extras. Probably the most tech-savvy consumers will possible discover plenty of worth within the Premium Bundle. For $1,950, you get a head-up show, distant engine begin, and many further 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. Nearly every little thing else from BMW’s suite of driver help options might be added, but it surely’ll price you. Once more, the Comfort Bundle is simple to advocate, because it additionally contains blind spot detection and lane-departure warning. Finest $1,100 you’ll be able to spend on a brand new 3 Collection. Previous that, the $500 Driving Help Bundle can be a superb worth. It provides distance management to cruise management techniques, which can even be capable to convey your automobile to and from an entire cease. Quick stops (below three seconds) solely, although. Curiously, it has really gotten $200 cheaper year-over-year. Worth!
Different worth buys embody the $800 Parking Help Bundle, which now additionally contains facet 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 for those who actually need your 2026 BMW 3 Collection to drive itself in rush hour site visitors, there isn’t any manner round it.
Pricing and Trim Breakdown
Final yr, the three Collection began at $45,400. This yr, you’ll pay slightly 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 cut price by comparability, commanding $44,245 and providing extra horsepower, customary driver aids, bigger 19-inch alloys, and a cabin with a couple of extra buttons in it. That could be a optimistic or a unfavourable 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 stated at first of the story, we’ve put our cash the place our mouth is a number of instances all through the G20 3 Collection’s lifecycle. It’s a hard-to-beat worth in its phase and does a fantastic job channeling traits that ha made BMW a fantastic worth for many years. The 2026 BMW 3 Collection begins manufacturing in August 2025 and can stay in manufacturing by means of subsequent yr.
