2020 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 BMW 3 Series

The 2020 BMW 3 Series, with its majestic design, brought to mind powerful sea creatures. Its lidded headlights, curved hood, expansive lower air intakes, and large grille gave it an almost aquatic visage. Critics considered this aesthetic both bold and distinctive. Despite a high starting price of $40,750 for the base 330i and $56,000 for the M340i with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the pricing seemed justified. The M340i model, renowned for its driving excellence, boasted nearly $14,000 in additional options, driving its total cost to approximately $69,570, including the destination fee.

Interior customization was abundant, with various colors and materials available. The test vehicle featured off-white Ivory leather, which stood out against a predominantly black cabin and Tanzanite Blue exterior paint, an upgrade costing $1,950. The interior exuded a blend of purposeful design and increased quality, making the higher price tags more palatable for many buyers.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series adopted a more traditional "familial look," reminiscent of past models such as the classic E30 3 Series. Instead of being revolutionary, its design adhered to the appearance of the larger 5 Series and 7 Series sedans. While this might evoke nostalgia for some, others found the G20 3 Series to appear somewhat uninspired. The oversized grille that works well on the 5 Series seemed overly prominent on the smaller 3 Series. Despite these critiques, the brand and badge loyalty often trumped design disputes.

Our test car exhibited a more exciting appearance, thanks to the M 19-inch wheels and blue-painted brake calipers that were part of the optional M Sport trim package. Standard Sport Line trim provided 18-inch wheels with a unique design for the 330e and 330i, and slightly different trim for the M340i models. Unfortunately, the interior design faced criticism for its lackluster materials. While the design was commendable in layout, the materials used, such as Ash wood trim that looked plastic and standard synthetic Sensatec upholstery, fell short of luxury expectations.

The performance of the 2020 BMW 3 Series raised the bar. BMW addressed concerns from the previous generation by enhancing driving dynamics and improving steering feedback. Significant changes included increased rigidity, reduced unsprung mass, new lift-related dampers, and available M Adaptive underpinnings. These upgrades restored the 3 Series to its former handling glory. The M340i, with an impressive 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, launched from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds.

Despite the 8-speed automatic transmission being standard, the M340i’s launch-control capabilities and the smooth operation of paddle shifters made up for any longing for a manual gearbox. Especially in busy cities like Los Angeles, the automatic transmission added practicality without compromising the thrill of driving the car.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered various powertrains. The base 330i featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The 330e plug-in hybrid delivered a combined 288 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, thanks to its hybrid system and XtraBoost feature. The M340i retained the impressive 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. All powertrains were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The M340i managed the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 4.2 seconds, while the base 330i took 5.6 seconds.

Despite the 330e's commendable acceleration, its transition from electric to gasoline power felt less seamless, with occasional clunks and thuds detracting from the driving experience. Though the 3 Series chassis maintained a robust feel and excellent handling, the overall driving engagement fell short of previous models, resulting in a driving experience that could feel disconnected and less fun.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series shone with its supportive front seats, covered in high-quality leather, equipped with heaters, and paired with a heated steering wheel. While the car did not offer ventilated seats—a notable omission during a summer heatwave—the seats remained comfortable for extended drives. However, the rear-seat entry and exit were somewhat awkward, although once seated, comfort levels remained high.

The car's controls could be cryptic, especially the climate controls integrated with the vents and digital instrumentation that resembled a video game interface. Nevertheless, the widescreen infotainment system was sleek, user-friendly, and featured an excellent version of BMW’s iDrive. The storage space was impressive, including a covered bin with an optional wireless smartphone charger. Officially, the trunk offered 17 cubic feet of cargo space, though its narrow shape limited its utility slightly.

In the 2021 BMW 3 Series, interior space was competitive within the small luxury sedan segment. Rear headroom was notably best in class, with front headroom above average, but not as spacious as the Infiniti Q50. Legroom remained average, so taller rear-seat passengers might feel cramped. Shoulder room also fell short compared to the Acura TLX, making the cabin feel less roomy.

Gasoline models matched the previous year's 17 cubic feet of cargo space, but the 330e plug-in hybrid's lithium-ion battery reduced the trunk space to 13.2 cubic feet. The elongated and narrow trunk shape required awkward reaches to utilize the space fully, although the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat helped enhance practicality. Driving comfort was maintained with an intuitive setup focusing on ease of use, a well-placed touchscreen, and excellent outward visibility.

In 2020, the BMW 3 Series featured a vastly improved iDrive infotainment system with a touchscreen display, natural voice recognition, and optional gesture controls. The system provided easy interaction through a combination of a knob and buttons on the center console. The interface proved user-friendly, akin to a smartphone display, with intuitive menu navigation.

Gesture controls, while slightly gimmicky, added a modern flair, allowing users to adjust volume or change the station with hand gestures. The voice recognition system responding to "Hey, BMW" commands was exceptional, capable of understanding and executing natural language commands. The head-up display was a welcomed feature, visible even through polarized sunglasses.

For the 2021 BMW 3 Series, the standard iDrive system included an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and USB ports, with gasoline models supporting both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 330e only supported CarPlay. The optional Live Cockpit Professional system added a digital instrument cluster, navigation, and a head-up display.

High-quality graphics and a responsive display characterized the infotainment system as premium, contrasting starkly with some competitors. Multiple control methods, including iDrive controllers, steering wheel controls, voice commands, and gesture controls, provided flexibility in operation. Despite some features feeling redundant, the array of options ensured user preference dictated interaction method.

Safety for the 2020 BMW 3 Series came at a premium, as advanced driving assistance systems required additional option packages. While functional and accurate, the systems lacked smooth operation. The lane-keeping assist system's abruptness stood out, almost as a reminder of the driving prowess expected from BMW owners. The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS when equipped with adaptive full LED headlights, underscoring its protective capabilities.

In 2021, the BMW 3 Series received a Top Safety Pick from IIHS with top crash-test scores but mixed results regarding headlight performance and driver-assist systems. Notably, the optional Active Driving Assistant Professional system underperformed in vehicle-to-pedestrian prevention compared to the base system.

Despite paying extra for features like adaptive cruise control, the package included useful functions like stop-and-go capability, Extended Traffic Jam Assistant, and Active Side Collision Avoidance. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning, with blind-spot monitoring and parking-assist systems available through additional packages.