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2018 BMW 3 Series: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 13, 2026
The biggest change for the 2018 BMW 3 Series is that LED headlights became standard across the U.S. lineup. This was otherwise a light update, with a standard rearview camera, LED fog lights for 320i models, and reorganized equipment packages.
About the 2018 BMW 3 Series
6th generation (F30 sedan, F31 Sports Wagon, F34 Gran Turismo), late-cycle year; final full model year before the U.S. sedan moved to the all-new G20 generation for 2019.
BMW positioned the 3 Series as the brand’s core compact luxury car: a driver-focused small premium sedan first, with wagon, liftback, diesel, and plug-in hybrid versions built around the same basic formula. In 2018, its main appeal was balance rather than any one gimmick: tidy size, sharp road manners, upscale cabin feel, and a broad range of powertrains for buyers who wanted anything from an efficient commuter to a six-cylinder sport sedan.
The 2018 range runs from the commuting-focused 320i through the stronger 330i to the six-cylinder 340i, which adds sportier trim, Harman Kardon audio, and an M Sport suspension. The lineup also includes diesel and plug-in hybrid sedans, while the all-wheel-drive Sports Wagon and Gran Turismo liftback emphasize cargo space with features such as a power tailgate and panoramic moonroof.
What changed, by category
Styling
LED headlights became standard across the U.S. lineup. The 320i and 320i xDrive also gained LED fog lights.
Safety
A rearview camera became standard across the lineup.
Tech and equipment
BMW reorganized much of the ordering structure into new tiered equipment packages, changing how features were grouped on many 2018 cars.
2018 BMW 3 Series specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Trbo Dsl, 2.0L | 4-Cyl, SULEV, Turbo, 2.0L | 6-Cyl, Turbo, 3.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Trbo Dsl, 2.0L | 4-Cyl, SULEV, Turbo, 2.0L | 6-Cyl, Turbo, 3.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Trbo Dsl, 2.0L | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, 2.0T | 4-Cyl, SULEV, Turbo, 2.0L | 4-Cyl, SULEV, Turbo, 2.0L | 6-Cyl, Turbo, 3.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, 8-Spd Steptronic | Auto, 8-Spd Sport | Auto, 8-Spd Sport | Auto, 8-Spd Sport | Auto, 8-Spd Steptronic | Auto, 8-Spd Sport | Auto, 8-Spd Sport | Auto, 8-Spd Sport | Auto, 8-Spd Sport | Auto, 8-Spd Stptnc Manual | Auto, 8-Spd Sport | Auto, 8-Spd Sport | Auto, 8-Spd Sport |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | RWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Diesel | Gas | Gas | Gas | Diesel | Gas | Gas | Diesel | Plug-In Hybrid | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 23 mpg | 31 mpg | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | 23 mpg | 30 mpg | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | 30 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | 20 mpg | |
| MPG Highway | 35 mpg | 43 mpg | 32 mpg | 29 mpg | 34 mpg | 40 mpg | 33 mpg | 29 mpg | 40 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 29 mpg | |
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 180 hp | 248 hp | 320 hp | 180 hp | 180 hp | 248 hp | 320 hp | 180 hp | 248 hp | 248 hp | 320 hp | |
| Torque | 200 lb-ft | 280 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 330 lb-ft | 200 lb-ft | 280 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 330 lb-ft | 280 lb-ft | 215 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 330 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 13 cu-ft | 24.6 cu-ft | |||||||||||
| Rear Legroom | 35.1 in | 35.1 in | 35.1 in | 35.1 in | 35.1 in | 35.1 in | 35.1 in | 35.1 in | 35 in | 35.1 in | 35 in | 39.2 in | 39.2 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| MPGe Combined | 71 | ||||||||||||
| Adaptive Headlights | |||||||||||||
| Alarm System | |||||||||||||
| Automatic High Beams | |||||||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||||||||||
| Park Assist | |||||||||||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||||||||||
| Side View Cameras | |||||||||||||
| Top View Camera | |||||||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||||||||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||||||
| Fog Lights | |||||||||||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||||||||||
| LED Headlights | |||||||||||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||||||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||||||||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||||||
| Roof Rails | |||||||||||||
| Navigation System | |||||||||||||
| Premium Audio | |||||||||||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||||||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||||||||||
| USB Ports | |||||||||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||||||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||||||||||
| Folding Rear Seat | |||||||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||||||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||||||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||||||||||
| Leather Seats | |||||||||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||||||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||||||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||||||||||
| Rear Window Shades | |||||||||||||
| Wood Interior Trim | |||||||||||||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2018 BMW 3 Series compared with the 2017 model?
The main change for 2018 is standard LED headlights across the U.S. 3 Series lineup. BMW also made the rearview camera standard, added LED fog lights to 320i models, and reorganized much of the equipment-package structure.
Does every 2018 BMW 3 Series have LED headlights?
Yes. LED headlights are standard across the U.S. 2018 BMW 3 Series lineup, including the sedan, Sports Wagon, and Gran Turismo body styles.
Is a rearview camera standard on the 2018 BMW 3 Series?
Yes. The rearview camera became standard across the 2018 BMW 3 Series lineup; it had been optional for 2017.
Was the 2018 BMW 3 Series fully redesigned?
No. The 2018 BMW 3 Series is a light update to the existing sixth-generation model, not a full redesign. The U.S. sedan moved to the new generation for 2019.
Is the 2018 BMW 3 Series much different from the 2017 model?
No. The 2018 model is largely the same vehicle as the 2017 version, so the meaningful differences are mostly standard LED lighting, a standard rearview camera, and revised equipment packaging rather than new engines or a new body design.
2018 BMW 3 Series Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 BMW 3 Series.
4.2
2018 BMW 3 Series
(746 reviews)
“This car is strong and exciting, especially engine power and sound is dramatically good. You feel safety from accident. That is BMW! Why not?”
“I love my bmw 320i xdrive. Has everything I need and feels strong! Great choice! Im happy and recommend a 3 series.”