“I love the vehicle, but don't like the way the battery charges are inconsistent. I hardly ever get a full 21 miles on a charge... sometimes it is down to 16 miles.. I don't get it”
2021 BMW 3 Series: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2021 BMW 3 Series is the return of the 330e plug-in hybrid, joined by a new 330e xDrive version with all-wheel drive. Otherwise, the 3 Series carries over without a redesign or major cabin update.
About the 2021 BMW 3 Series
7th generation (G20 sedan), third model year before the 2023 styling and interior update.
BMW positions the 3 Series as the brand’s core sport sedan: a compact luxury sedan meant to blend sharp handling, strong engine choices, and everyday usefulness. Its appeal is broader than raw performance alone. The 3 Series is for shoppers who want a car that feels engaging on a back road but still works as a comfortable daily driver with a roomy cabin, strong tech, and premium fit and finish.
The 2021 lineup ranges from the everyday turbo-four 330i to the plug-in-hybrid 330e and the more powerful six-cylinder M340i. The 330i has an 8.8-inch touchscreen, while the M340i adds performance-focused suspension hardware, a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are represented across the range.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The 330e plug-in hybrid returns with a redesigned system, a larger battery, more electric driving range, and an XtraBoost function. A 330e xDrive model also joins the lineup, pairing the plug-in-hybrid system with all-wheel drive.
Safety
Automatic high beams become standard across the lineup. Lane-departure warning shifts from standard equipment to optional equipment.
2021 BMW 3 Series specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 6-Cyl, Turbo, 3.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 6-Cyl, Turbo, 3.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | RWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Plug-In Hybrid | Gas | Gas | Plug-In Hybrid | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 26 mpg | 23 mpg | 25 mpg | 22 mpg | ||
| MPG Highway | 36 mpg | 32 mpg | 34 mpg | 31 mpg | ||
| Horsepower | 288 hp | 255 hp | 382 hp | 288 hp | 255 hp | 382 hp |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 294 lb-ft | 368 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 294 lb-ft | 368 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 13.2 cu-ft | 13 cu-ft | 13 cu-ft | 13.2 cu-ft | 13 cu-ft | 13 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 35.2 in | 35.2 in | 35.2 in | 35.2 in | 35.2 in | 35.2 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Electric Range | 20 | 20 | ||||
| MPGe Combined | 75 | 67 | ||||
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||
| Park Assist | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| 360 Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Aluminum Interior Trim | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2021 BMW 3 Series?
The biggest change is the return of the 330e plug-in hybrid. It has a redesigned hybrid system, a larger battery, more electric driving range, and an XtraBoost function for a temporary increase in output.
Does the 2021 BMW 3 Series have an all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid?
Yes. The 2021 330e xDrive combines the plug-in-hybrid system with all-wheel drive, while the rear-wheel-drive 330e also returns for this model year.
Was the 2021 BMW 3 Series redesigned?
No. The 2021 BMW 3 Series remains part of the same seventh-generation sedan introduced earlier, with no major exterior redesign or cabin overhaul.
Did the 2021 BMW 3 Series safety equipment change?
Yes. Automatic high beams became standard across the lineup, while lane-departure warning changed from standard to optional equipment.
Is the 2021 BMW 3 Series meaningfully different from the 2020 model?
It is meaningfully different mainly for shoppers interested in a plug-in hybrid. The 330e and all-wheel-drive 330e xDrive expand the 2021 range, but the gasoline-powered models otherwise carry over without a major redesign.
2021 BMW 3 Series Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 BMW 3 Series.
4.4
2021 BMW 3 Series
(1,405 reviews)
“Excellent combination of tech and traditional luxury. Wireless CarPlay is a big plus. M Sport is fun to drive.”
“Absolute perfect balance of a daily driver and performance. I was between this and a standard 3 series and very glad I went with the M340i as it's a blast to drive.”