Facelifted 2024 BMW 3 Series revealed: first pictures and prices

The new BMW 3 Series has been facelifted for 2024 with latest-generation infotainment, a longer-range plug-in hybrid – and no more diesels.

The focus of the 2024 new BMW 3 Series facelift is not so much on styling. The exterior received a refresh a few years ago, so the 2024 updates are minor, focused on two new paint colours – Arctic Race Blue and Fire Red – and new alloy wheel designs.

Inside, the new BMW 3 Series receives an updated infotainment system, revised centre console and a choice of two new steering wheel designs. There are new upholstery choices and trim inlays, too.

The simplified choice of engines sees a diesel choice unavailable in a new BMW 3 Series for the first time in decades. Instead, there is a four-cylinder petrol, a high-performance six-cylinder, and a plug-in hybrid with a bigger battery for a better EV range.

The new BMW 3 Series is on sale now, with deliveries beginning in the summer. The entry-level new BMW 320i saloon costs from £40,220 and the new BMW 320i Touring costs from £42,430.

The new BMW 3 Series will provide renewed competition to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4, while the updated new BMW 3 Series plug-in hybrid is an alternative to the electric Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2. 

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Why does the new BMW 3 Series plug-in hybrid stand out?

The new BMW 3 Series plug-in hybrid is called the BMW 330e. This now has an all-new 19.5kWh battery, which is much higher in capacity than the old car. It means the electric range improves to 63 miles, which is an improvement of 22 miles. The petrol engine then takes over to extend the range even further.

This means the new BMW 330e will have an 8% Benefit in Kind tax band for company car drivers, making it an affordable alternative to a pure electric car. In combination with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, the new BMW 330e produces 292PS and can do 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds.

The new BMW 330e’s top speed in electric mode is 86mph, and 142mph in hybrid mode. It emits from 19g/km CO2, and average fuel economy is rated at up to 353mpg, although it will only achieve that if you regularly plug it in.

The alternative regular new BMW 3 Series is the 320i, which has a 184PS 2.0-litre mild hybrid turbo petrol engine. It drives the rear wheels and has a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox. The new BMW 320i can do 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds and averages up to 43.5mpg, although CO2 emissions from 147g/km mean it is less appealing as a company car.

The high-performance alternative is the new BMW M340i xDrive. This has a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo engine that produces 374PS, for 0-62mph in just 4.4 seconds. As the xDrive branding indicates, it has all-wheel drive.

The suspension of the new BMW 3 Series has also been tuned, which the firm says delivers a better balance between comfort and sportiness.

What has been updated inside the new BMW 3 Series?

The new BMW 3 Series has a range of new steering wheel designs, a centre console with fewer buttons – and the very latest BMW Operating System 8.5 infotainment system.

Built into the popular BMW Curved Display, the new BMW 3 Series infotainment has the climate control settings integrated into the display, instead of a physical array of buttons. BMW calls this “optimised” and adds there are new adjustment controls for the air vent grilles themselves.

The new BMW 3 Series infotainment can be operated by touch, by the central BMW iDrive controller, and by voice command through the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

The new BMW 3 Series also has updated interior lighting, with extended cascade lighting that can be adjusted for colour and brightness. Owners can also choose from nine different colour ‘worlds’. The light can signal both an incoming phone call and an open door.

The new BMW 3 Series is now available with the posh CraftedClarity glass applications seen on more upmarket models. A glass gear lever selector, BMW iDrive controller and start/stop button are available for an “air of exclusivity”.