The BMW 3 Series gets a facelift for the 2023 model year.
The 7th generation BMW 3 Series bearing the chassis code G20 has been given its ‘life cycle impulse’ or facelift for the 2023 model year. The new 3 Sedan starts at €43,900 in Germany and features an updated design, but the changes to the interior are the most noteworthy.
Exterior design changes result in an overall cleaner look for the new 3 Series. The front headlights no longer feature notches. Instead a soft curve is presented under each cluster.
The daytime running lights now have the ‘L’ shapes as eyebrows instead of chin straps, leading to a less aggressive look. The front bumper is also redesigned with a large black intake area in the centre with angular flanks.
Thankfully, the grille has not been expanded too much and there are no split headlights present. The new grille features double bars. LED headlights are standard, with Adaptive LED Headlights optional with blue accents.
Around back, there are more body colour painted surfaces and with a new black apron for contrast. The exhausts tailpipes have been enlarged slightly.
Standard on the 3 is the M High-gloss Shadowline trim and 17″ light alloy wheels.
The M Sport package introduces a honeycomb pattern for the kidney grille, new 18″ M light-alloy wheels, trapezoidal tailpipe finishers and black mirror caps. There’s also an M Sport package Pro which includes M Sport brakes and more. New colours include Skyscraper Grey and M Brooklyn Grey. BMW Individual Frozen Pure Grey and Frozen Tanzanite Blue are also available.
Inside, the changes are immense including a completely redesigned dashboard. BMW have opted for a dual display set-up like Mercedes-Benz introduced a generation ago. BMW’s innovation here to introduce curved displays instead of flat ones. The infotainment screen is 12.3″ across while the digital instrument cluster is 14.9″ across. The iDrive Controller is complemented by touch controls and the new centre tunnel button layout necessitates a much smaller gear selector for the 8-speed automatic transmission.
Three-zone auto climate control and navigation systems are now standard. The climate controls are touch-operated which sounds like something BMW will go back on within a generation.
The 3-Series also gets Front Collision Warning with brake intervention as standard, Cruise Control with brake function and other ADAS features. Options are now Lane Change Warning, the Heads-up Display, Steering and Lane Control Assistance, Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go, Automatic Speed Limit Assist and more.
