2027 BMW 3 Series review: price, specs and which new 3 Series to buy in Australia

The BMW 3 Series is the car that defines BMW, and the all new eighth generation is the biggest change in its 50 year history. For the first time you can choose petrol or fully electric in the same 3 Series family, the cabin is completely new, and the entry price has come down. It arrives in Australia in the first quarter of 2027, so should you order one, and which version makes the most sense?

Quick answer: The new 320 is the pick for most buyers. At $83,900 plus on road costs it is the cheapest way into the new 3 Series, yet it comes with adaptive M suspension, a 3D head up display, heated and ventilated front seats and the full new screen setup. Go for the i3 40 xDrive ($96,900 plus on road costs) if you can charge at home and want up to 710km of range, or the M350 xDrive ($128,900 plus on road costs) if you want a straight six that does 0 to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds.

Our verdict in one line: a big leap in tech, equipment and value. The 320 is the smart buy, the i3 40 xDrive is the clever buy, and the M350 xDrive is the fun buy.

Which new 3 Series is this?

This is the all new eighth generation 3 Series (BMW's internal code is G50), revealed in September 2026. It replaces the 3 Series that has been on sale since 2019 and brings over the design and technology from BMW's "Neue Klasse" electric cars, the same family as the new iX3.

There are two halves to the range:

• Petrol: the BMW 320 and BMW M350 xDrive, both with 48 volt mild hybrid help, built in Dingolfing, Germany.
• Electric: the BMW i3 40 xDrive and BMW i3 50 xDrive, built in Munich. BMW calls the electric version the i3 rather than a 3 Series, but it shares the cabin, technology and most of the look.

Australian deliveries are due from the first quarter of 2027. A wagon, a plug in hybrid and more electric versions are expected later.

Price in Australia

These are BMW Australia's list prices, plus on road costs. They include GST and Luxury Car Tax:

• BMW 320: $83,900
• BMW i3 40 xDrive: $96,900
• BMW i3 50 xDrive: $112,900
• BMW M350 xDrive: $128,900

The 320 is a new entry point. The old range had dropped its 320i, so the cheapest 3 Series sedan was the more expensive 330i, and the new 320 undercuts that car while carrying more equipment. At the top, the M350 xDrive is $9,900 more than the outgoing M340i xDrive ($119,000 plus on road costs).

Both i3s sit above the Luxury Car Tax threshold for fuel efficient cars ($91,661), so neither qualifies for the electric car FBT exemption on a novated lease under the current rules.

Our NSW, VIC and QLD drive away estimates for all four are in the table at the end of this review. You can also use our car value and drive away tool for any new car.

Winner on price: 320.

320 vs M350 vs i3: the key numbers

• 320: 2.0 litre turbo four cylinder with mild hybrid, 155kW and 330Nm, rear wheel drive, 0 to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds, 7.5 to 6.5L/100km (WLTP, provisional)
• M350 xDrive: 3.0 litre turbo straight six with mild hybrid, 326kW and 580Nm, all wheel drive, 0 to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds, 8.2 to 7.5L/100km (WLTP, provisional)
• i3 40 xDrive: two electric motors, 275kW and 520Nm, all wheel drive, 0 to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds, 82.8kWh battery, up to 710km range (WLTP)
• i3 50 xDrive: two electric motors, 345kW and 645Nm, all wheel drive, 0 to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds, 108.7kWh battery, up to 911km range (WLTP)

All petrol models use an eight speed automatic. Figures are BMW's provisional European numbers, and Australian figures can differ slightly.

Winner on performance: M350 xDrive. Winner on range: i3 50 xDrive.

BMW 320: the one most people should buy

The 320 is the big surprise of the new range. It is not a stripped out base model. Standard equipment in Australia includes:

• M Sport package and 18 inch M wheels
• Adaptive M suspension (overseas, the 320 gets passive dampers as standard)
• Panoramic glass roof
• BMW Panoramic Vision display across the base of the windscreen, plus a 3D head up display
• 17.9 inch central touchscreen
• Heated and ventilated front seats with memory
• Driving Assistant Plus and Parking Assistant Plus
• Comfort access (keyless entry), power boot lid and wireless phone charging

Two option packs are offered: a Comfort Package ($3,500) with heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, Harman Kardon sound and glass trim, and an M Sport Pro package ($4,200) with sportier seats, red brake calipers and black exterior trim.

Winner on value: 320. With 155kW it is not fast, but 7.4 seconds to 100km/h is plenty for daily driving, and you get the same cabin and technology as cars costing $45,000 more.

BMW M350 xDrive: the driver's choice

The M350 xDrive replaces the M340i as the petrol flagship until the next M3 arrives. Its 3.0 litre straight six now makes 326kW and 580Nm, up from the M340i's 285kW and 500Nm, and BMW claims 0 to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds.

Over the 320 it adds 20 inch M wheels, M Performance styling, heated rear seats and steering wheel, glass interior trim and Harman Kardon sound. M Sport seats are a $2,000 option. It also gets a new feature called Drift Moment, which sends all the engine's power to the rear wheels for track use.

Our editor drives a 2025 M340i, so this is the version we are most curious to try. For the full old vs new breakdown, read our BMW M350 xDrive vs M340i xDrive comparison.

Winner for driving fun: M350 xDrive.

BMW i3: the electric 3 Series

The i3 looks almost the same as the petrol cars from most angles but is a full electric car with an 800 volt system. Both versions are all wheel drive.

• i3 40 xDrive: up to 710km range, up to 300kW fast charging, 10 to 80 per cent in about 21 minutes
• i3 50 xDrive: up to 911km range, up to 400kW fast charging, 10 to 80 per cent in about 21 minutes with the bigger battery
• Home charging: 22kW AC charging is standard in Australia. On a normal 7kW home wallbox, expect an overnight charge.

Both i3s come with 19 inch wheels, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, Harman Kardon sound, a public fast charging cable and a small storage space under the bonnet.

Winner on running costs: i3 40 xDrive. Charging at home at around 30 cents per kWh costs roughly $5 per 100km, against about $15 per 100km for the 320 at $2.10 a litre. The i3 50 xDrive's 911km is one of the longest ranges of any electric car announced for Australia, but the 40 already covers most people's needs for $16,000 less.

Want one? Tell us what you're after and we'll use our network to find the best deal anywhere in Australia, on a new, demo, near new or used 3 Series. Get the best deal.

Inside: the biggest change

This is where the new 3 Series feels most different. The old curved screen is gone. Instead, BMW Panoramic Vision shows key information right across the base of the windscreen, a 3D head up display sits above it, and a large 17.9 inch touchscreen handles almost everything else. The steering wheel is all new too.

M350 xDrive interior (European left hand drive model shown):

320 interior with light upholstery (European left hand drive model shown):

If you are coming from an older BMW, the bigger change is the move to touch controls. The new layout looks clean and modern, but there are fewer physical buttons than before.

Winner: all of them. Every version gets the same screen setup, which is great news for 320 buyers.

Space and practicality

The new 3 Series has grown. The petrol sedan is 4,765mm long and 1,850mm wide on a 2,860mm wheelbase. The i3 has a longer 2,897mm wheelbase.

• Boot: 450 litres in the 320 and M350. 420 litres in the i3, plus a 31 litre space under the bonnet.
• Rear seats: split and fold 40:20:40 in every version.
• Towing: up to 1,800kg braked for the 320 and M350 xDrive in European specification.

Winner: 320 and M350, for the bigger boot.

Safety and warranty

The new 3 Series has not been crash tested by ANCAP yet. Every Australian model comes with Driving Assistant Plus (adaptive cruise control with steering assist and lane keeping) and Parking Assistant Plus as standard.

BMW's new car warranty in Australia is five years with unlimited kilometres, and the i3's high voltage battery has a separate eight year or 160,000km warranty.

Rivals

• Mercedes-Benz C-Class: the 3 Series' oldest rival. It feels plusher inside, but the BMW now has the more modern cabin and, from what we know so far, more standard equipment at the entry price.
• Audi A5 sedan: the new A5 replaces the A4 and is the best value alternative, but it has no electric version and nothing as quick as the M350.

Check current rival pricing with a dealer, as prices change often. If you are looking at the i3, it also lines up against electric sedans like the Tesla Model 3, which costs less but cannot match the BMW's range.

Winner on technology: new 3 Series.

Scorecard

• Performance: 8.6 out of 10
• Comfort: 8.4 out of 10
• Practicality: 8.0 out of 10
• Safety: 8.4 out of 10
• Technology: 9.2 out of 10
• Value for money: 8.6 out of 10

These scores are based on BMW's specifications and Australian equipment. We will update them once the car is on sale here.

Should you buy one?

Buy it if: you want a luxury sedan with the latest BMW tech, you like the idea of choosing petrol or electric in the same car, or you have been waiting for a cheaper way into a new 3 Series.

Skip it if: you need a car before early 2027, you prefer physical buttons, or you want an SUV (look at the new iX3 or X3 instead).

Our pick: the 320 at $83,900 plus on road costs. It has almost everything you get in the M350 for $45,000 less. If you can charge at home, the i3 40 xDrive at $96,900 plus on road costs is the one we would look at next.

Still deciding? See our BMW iX3 review or our BMW vs Mercedes vs Audi guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the new BMW 3 Series in Australia?

The 320 is $83,900, the i3 40 xDrive is $96,900, the i3 50 xDrive is $112,900 and the M350 xDrive is $128,900, all plus on road costs.

When does the new 3 Series arrive in Australia?

Deliveries are due from the first quarter of 2027.

Is there an electric BMW 3 Series?

Yes. The electric version is called the BMW i3, offered as the i3 40 xDrive with up to 710km of range and the i3 50 xDrive with up to 911km (WLTP).

Does the new 3 Series replace the M340i?

Yes. The M350 xDrive replaces the M340i xDrive, with 326kW and 580Nm.

Is the new BMW 320 a hybrid?

It is a mild hybrid. A 48 volt system helps the 2.0 litre petrol engine, but it cannot drive on electric power alone. A plug in hybrid is expected later.

How big is the boot in the new 3 Series?

450 litres in the petrol sedans and 420 litres in the i3, which also has a 31 litre space under the bonnet.

Want one? Tell us what you're after and we'll use our network to find the best deal anywhere in Australia, on a new, demo, near new or used 3 Series. Get the best deal. Trading in your current car? We can help you sell your car too, and you can see what it's worth with our car value tool.

Prices and specifications checked on 27 October 2026. Specifications are BMW's provisional European figures unless noted, and Australian figures may differ. Images: BMW Group (European models shown); rivals image: Mercedes-Benz AG, AUDI AG.