I’ve never made it a secret: BMW’s names confuse the crap outta me. I give a bit of a rundown here, if you’re lost like me.
So now, the 2027 G50 BMW 3-Series has been announced, not to be confused with the 2026 BMW 3-Series. The 2027 version has a lot of major changes as it goes into its eighth generation.
2027 BMW 3-Series vs. 2026 BMW 3-Series looks
The 2027 BMW 3-Series will have the automaker’s Neue Klasse styling, which means narrower and horizontally stretched grilles rather than the classic kidney, as well as a smooth, luxurious body profile and a sportier backside.
However, the seventh-generation BMW 3-Series is actually a bit more aggressive in its styling. To me, at least. There are many sharper angles and an angrier-looking front end.
This seems to be the usual MO for car brands: make cars have less and less personality as we focus more on that blank slate futuristic stuff Tesla started. I always recall Longbow Co-Founder Mark Tapscott telling me that their upcoming electric sports car might need a redesign after I told him it still had a bit of a smile.
According to MotorTrend, Adrian van Hooydonk said BMW wants its EVs and ICE cars to have a very similar design, which explains the new look. He said: “At the moment, we feel we’re entering a decisive stage where we want to make electric mobility more agreeable to our customers. We’re going to deal with range anxiety, charging anxiety, all that. Design can contribute.”
On top of its subtler, classier design, the 2027 BMW 3-Series has put on some pounds. It’s 3,827 pounds to start: the xDrive version brings it to 3,909 pounds and the M350 xDrive reaches 4,169 pounds due to its larger engine. The last M340i xDrive was 3,988 pounds. The sedans are also 1.5 inches longer, measuring 187.2 inches long and 72.8 inches wide. The wheelbase is also 112.6 inches, about half an inch wider than before.
By the way, don’t ask me what the difference is between M350 xDrive and M340i xDrive. My brain will explode. And what’s G50? I dunno.
2027 BMW 3-Series vs. 2026 BMW 3-Series performance
The next-generation G50 3-Series is getting an improved performance thanks to its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine on the 330 and 330 xDrive models. You’ll get 255 horsepower at 6,500 rpms and 295 lb-ft. of torque at 1,600 rpms rather than 1,550 rpms.
But that’s just the beginning. The M340i xDrive has been replaced by the M350 xDrive, which has a B58 turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine. Previous models produced 386 horsepower, but the M350 produces 437 hp at 6,500 rpm. It also gets an increased 428 lb-fot of torque at 1,980 rpms.
In addition to the added power, the 2027 BMW 3-Series is expected to have much sharper steering. The wider tracks and longer wheelbase should give it better cornering. The newly designed chassis has anti-roll bar mounts in the front and back to keep it stiff. There are new brakes, a double-joint spring-strut suspension with more camber, and a five-link rear axle with negative caster trail and more camber.
How much difference will all this truly make? Hard to say.
2027 BMW 3-Series vs. 2026 BMW 3-Series price
The base 3-Series option, the 330 with the four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel-drive, is $51,250. The xDrive all-wheel-drive system bumps that up $2,000. For comparison, the 330i and 330i xDrive (the “i” is now gone to avoid confusion, but that didn’t work for me) started at $49,350 and $51,350, respectively. Honestly, that’s not too big of a deal.
The M350 xDrive tops out at $67,350, which is a few thousand more than the previous M340i.
The M3, when it arrives, will cost even more money.
The BMW 3-Series isn’t cheap. But considering the average cost of a new car is now about $50,000, this isn’t too insane. Especially not for a luxury vehicle.
But is it worth it? If you’re one of the people who know all the different BMW names without any issue, this one is for you. Otherwise, I’d just get a used one from the past few years.
