2019 BMW 3 Series Road Test and Review

2019 BMW 330i exterior front angle2 by Ron Sessions ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

BMW has just introduced an all-new 3 Series sports sedan. The 2019 BMW 3 Series represents the seventh generation version of the car that’s arguably carried the torch for the brand’s "Ultimate Driving Machine" image for more than four decades. The new sedan’s trademark twin-kidney grille is back, larger than ever, curving over the BMW’s nose and flanked by standard LED headlamps.

The 2019 3 Series sedan stretches 3 inches longer, with approximately half of that contributing to a longer wheelbase that’s more welcoming for back-seat occupants. Larger doors aid ingress and egress to the rear seat as well. The first new 3 Series model to go on sale in the U.S. is the 2019 BMW 330i. It’s available with rear-wheel drive ($40,250 including a $995 destination charge) or all-wheel drive in the form of the 330i xDrive ($42,250 including destination).

Turbo Zip

The new 330i is powered by an updated version of BMW's gasoline 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine. Thanks to engineering upgrades, the Twin Power 2.0-liter gas turbo gets a boost for 2019, up from 248 to 255 horsepower at 5000-6500 rpm and increasing from 258 to 295 lb-ft of torque from just 1550 all the way to 4400 rpm. The twin-scroll turbo spins up quickly, which means no detectable turbo lag and great response regardless of engine speed, as well as power for merging and passing maneuvers. BMW claims 0-60 mph acceleration in under six seconds.

The standard ZF Steptronic eight-speed automatic transmission shifts swiftly and seamlessly. Sadly, no manual gearbox version is available. Later in 2019, BMW will introduce the 340i with a silky and powerful inline turbocharged six-cylinder. That engine, which will also appear in the new Z4 sports car, is rated at 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Light on Its Feet

Despite adding length, width, and new features, BMW religiously kept the 2019 3 Series on a diet, with some versions shedding more than 100 pounds compared to the previous-gen model. And BMW also maintained the car's naturally organic 50/50 front/rear weight balance with mass-saving items such as an aluminum hood and front fenders.

All U.S.-bound models ride on standard 18-inch V-spoke alloy wheels with dual-spoke 19-inchers optional. Compared to the previous model, the 2019 3 Series sedan’s throttle inputs are crisper, steering is more direct and unfiltered, and braking response is firm and reassuring. Standard on the 330i are new motion-sensitive hydraulic dampers that tame unwanted vertical body movements without negatively affecting ride quality. There is virtually no body lean during cornering as well.  Driving enthusiasts may want to pop for the $5,000 M Sport package, which includes firmer sport suspension, variable sport steering, and larger 225/45 front, 255/35 rear 19-inch Michelin Pilot sport summer tires.

Photo by BMW

Clean Cockpit

The cabin of the 2019 3 Series is uncluttered and modern-looking, exuding quality with pleasant-to-the-touch surfaces, tidy panel fits, and no unnecessary decoration on the dashboard, doors, or console. There are fewer switches on the console and more storage space, both in open bins and covered compartments. Designers lowered the infotainment display in the center of the dash to make it even with the gauges. The standard unit measures 8.8 inches diagonally, with a navigation-equipped 12.3-inch touchscreen optional.

The well-kitted 3 Series cabin has an impressive menu of standard niceties. These include a sport leather steering wheel, a new larger moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, ambient interior lighting, automatic climate control, and a black headliner. Also onboard is hands-free Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, a standard six-speaker AM/FM/CD/HD radio. Among the 330i’s many optional niceties is a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Take Your Seat

You’d expect the ultimate driving machine to come with first-class seating, and the new 3 Series does not disappoint. Up front, the standard multi-adjustable power sport bucket seats are supportive and well-bolstered for all-day driving comfort, without hard wings or wires digging into your thighs and bottom. The standard SensaTec faux-leather upholstery can be upgraded to accent-stitched soft Vernasca leather, a $1,700 option.

It’s quiet in there, too. BMW hushed the cabin with a standard acoustic windshield and foam-filled roof-pillars plus available acoustic side glass.

Photo by BMW

Tidy Console

Also uncluttered and high-tech-looking is the 3 Series’ new center console, which now houses iDrive controls, a relocated engine start/start button, the drive mode selector, shift-by-wire transmission gear selector, and electronic parking brake.

The iDrive system can also be operated now via the iDrive control wheel, the now-reachable instrument panel touchscreen, steering wheel buttons, voice control, and optionally available gesture control. There’s plenty of hidden storage as well, and a wireless phone charger is now available.

Photo by BMW

Live Cockpit Professional

Live Cockpit Professional is BMW’s all-new 12.3-inch digital gauge panel, which is customizable and varies depending upon which drive mode — Sport, Comfort, Eco Plus, and so on — is selected.

It’s part of a $2,800 Premium package that also includes Apple CarPlay connectivity, heated seats and steering wheel, and a head-up display. Not unlike Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, it can shift a portion of the navigation display into the area between the tachometer and speedometer.

Photo by BMW

Rear Echelon

40/20/40 split fold-down rear seatbacks provide convenient pass-through to the trunk, greatly increasing the usability of the already generous 16.9-cubic-feet luggage compartment. The trunk of the 2019 3 Series has a wider opening as well.

Photo by Ron Sessions

3 Series Tech

You’ll probably want to drive the new 3 Series yourself, but BMW is also ready to help out with a new suite of advanced safety and semi-autonomous driving aids. Dynamic cruise control, a lane-departure warning, and a forward collision warning with city collision mitigation come standard. And they're now augmented by an optional active Driving Assistant system: active cruise control with stop-and-go, Narrow Passage Support (which can help negotiate tight spots such as parking garages and construction zones), side collision protection and evasion, rear cross-traffic detection, and more.

And a new Reversing Assistant helps you avoid dinging a fender or scratching the paint of the 3 Series backing out of your garage. The system remembers the last 30 seconds of driving and when activated, can steer the car back out the sticky situation. All the driver must do once selecting reverse is apply throttle and brakes. Then there’s the new BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, a voice-activated onboard expert on things related to the car and much more. It’s like having Siri and Alexa at your beck and call. You can even give the assistant a pet name to answer to.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Ultimate Driving Machine DNA

The new 2019 BMW 3 Series arrives at a pivotal time. Crossover and SUV sales have been drawing buyers away from traditional four-door sedans. And the previous-gen 3 Series lost some of its driving enthusiast focus even as luxury sport sedans such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Volvo S60, Kia Stinger, and Genesis G70 sharpened theirs.

But with a well-honed mix of well-engineered mechanical mastery and the latest technology, BMW has now drawn upon its Ultimate Driving Machine DNA to craft a sportier 2019 3 Series sedan.

Photo by Ron Sessions