43 years ago, BMW created the sport sedan segment and still owes the biggest chunk of its annual sales to the 3 Series, but judging by the current version, priorities appear to have changed. Before we declare BMW disloyal to its roots, however, we have a date with the 2019 330i and M340i xDrive in southern Portugal.
The arrival of the full-size X7 means BMW has at last filled the gaps in its X-coded SUV lineup. Little more than roof angle distinguishes each coupling (X1 and X2, X3 and X4, X5 and X6, X7 and… anyone care to bet an X8 is on the way?), but luxury buyers just see more ways to satisfy their crossover cravings and BMW sees more bites at the apple.
An SUV-padded version of BMW (and most luxury brands, for that matter) is likely the one our kids will know. Yes, 43 years ago the German automaker created the sport sedan segment, and to this day owes the biggest chunk of its annual sales to the 3 Series, but priorities appear to have changed. After all, the current generation (F30) 3 Series isn’t all that sporty a sedan until M cajoles it.
Before we declare BMW disloyal to its roots, however, we have a date with the new, seventh-generation 3 Series in southern Portugal. Seat time in the entry-level 330i ($41,425) and M340i xDrive ($54,995) will test the automaker’s commitment to driving dynamics, powertrain refinement, and cutting edge technology. Let’s get to it.
For most luxury carmakers, the flagship sedan or SUV is the design beacon, with lesser models mimicking its styling cues in one way or another. To some degree, that’s true for BMW: the new X7 and 8 Series press the company’s design forward with more prominent grilles (taller for the SUV and wider for the coupe) and sharper lines. The 3 Series, however, has even greater brand significance, and must share the burden of design leadership.
To resolve the F30’s inconspicuous design, BMW gives its successor a wider stance, a longer, more striking body, and eye-catching light signatures. At the front, the 2019 3 Series gets a three-dimensional grille for the first time, with a crease placed high on the kidney. New LED headlights (standard on all trims) branch from either end of the grille and wrap around the front quarter panel. In Europe, available laser lights add delicate blue details within the headlight housings. The lower fascia design is dependent on the model, with the Luxury, Advantage, and Sport lines adorning T-shaped fog lights and a rounded lower air dam. M Sport variants receive a larger center inlet and faux side vents for a more aggressive look.
In profile, the new 3’s cab-rearward stance, integrated trunk lip, and downturned hood emphasize the sedan’s rear-drive layout. A re-imagined Hofmeister kink is now part of the C-pillar and is bordered by freestanding glass. To break up the car’s longer body and wheelbase, BMW designers added a character line from the rear door handle to the wraparound taillights, and another accent line from the taillights’ lower edge to the bottom of the rear wheel arch. Standard 17-inch and available 18- or 19-inch wheel designs are wrapped in either Michelin PS4 or PS4S tires.
At the rear, there’s an air of Lexus IS about the new 3 Series’ L-shaped LED taillights, but more noticeable is the car’s departure from predecessor designs. Objectively, the dark shaded light housings, muscular lower fascia (again styled differently for Advantage/Luxury/Sport vs. M-Sport variants), and dual chrome exhaust ports give the new 3 a handsome rump. However, we feel a tinge of nostalgia for classic 3 Series styling.
Inside, the 3 Series is more progressive than ever before. Complex shapes and visual depth catch the eye, but it’s the car’s large center infotainment display and digital gauge cluster that most distinguishes the updated cabin. A hexagonal pattern encompasses the wide-view monitor and digital climate control screen, while the lower portion of the driver-oriented center stack is dedicated to radio presets and a physical volume knob.
Both seat styles are comfortable, with the available M-Sport chairs providing additional support. The available M-Sport steering wheel thickens the rim for a better grip, but even the standard wheel feels excellent. The biggest knock against the new 3’s cabin is the material quality. The gear selector backing is made from rough plastic, some trim pieces look downright gaudy, and the hard plastic lower door panels feel out of place in a luxury sedan.
Despite moving further away from traditional BMW design cues, the new 3 Series is an elegant four-door with an athletic stance.
