BMW 3 series
2018–2022The original G20, before the screens arrived
- 0–100 km/h
- 7.1 s
- Power
- 184 PS
- Consumption, combined
- 5.9 l/100 km
A facelift that changed more under the skin than on it G20 vs G20 LCI
Four years into the G20, BMW reworked the parts buyers never see and left the silhouette almost untouched.
BMW 3 series
2022–The facelift that swapped buttons for a curved display
- 0–100 km/h
- 7.4 s
- Power
- 184 PS
- Consumption, combined
- 7.2 l/100 km
Evolution in 30 seconds
The eight changes that matter, before the detail
Curved display replaces the iDrive dial layout
A single curved glass panel spans 12.3 and 14.9 inches. The rotary controller survives, but most climate controls move into software.
iDrive 7 to iDrive 8Mild hybrid across the petrol range
A 48-volt starter-generator adds 11 PS on take-off and smooths the stop-start that the pre-facelift car was criticised for.
+11 PS on boostSlimmer headlights, larger kidneys
The lights lose their lower notch and the grille grows a little, which is most of how you tell the two apart from the front.
Revised frontConsumption barely moves
Despite the hybrid hardware the WLTP figure improves only marginally: the gain is in drivability, not on paper.
−0.2 l/100 km
Side by side, to scale
Both outlines are drawn at the same scale from the catalogue's measurements.
BMW 3 series4,709 mmBMW 3 series4,713 mm
- Length
- 4,709 mm4,713 mm+4 mm
- Width
- 1,827 mm1,827 mm
- Height
- 1,444 mm1,440 mm−4 mm
- Wheelbase
- 2,851 mm2,851 mm
Before and after
Drag the handle to reveal the newer generation. Photographs come from our catalogue.
Drag the handle, or use the arrow keys after selecting it.
Generation timeline
Where the two compared generations sit in the model's history
- 11 generation 1975–1983
- 22 generation 1981–1994
- 33 generation 1990–1990
- 44 generation 1998–1998
- 44 generation, restyling 2001–2001
- 55 generation 2004–2010
- 55 generation, restyling 2008–2014
- 66 generation 2011–2016
- 66 generation, restyling 2015–2019
- G207 generation 2018–2022
- G20LCI7 generation, restyling 1 2022–present
Full changelog
Everything that arrived, improved, changed or disappeared
- NewBMW Curved DisplayStandard on every trim, replacing the separate instrument binnacle and centre screen.
- Improved48-volt mild hybridNow fitted to all petrol engines rather than the six-cylinder cars alone.
- RemovedPhysical climate controlsTemperature and fan move into the touchscreen, a change owners of the earlier car rate as a step back.
- ChangedHeadlight signatureThe L-shaped notch is gone; the daytime running light is now a single slim bar.
Full spec sheet with deltas
Identical rows are dimmed; the delta column shows the direction of travel
Units
| Full spec sheet with deltas | BMW 3 series7 generation · 320i 2.0 AT Steptronic · 184 PS · RWD · Automatic | BMW 3 series7 generation, restyling 1 · 320i AT 2.0 Steptronic · 184 PS · RWD · Automatic | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | |||
| Top speed | 240 km/h (best) | 235 km/h | −5 km/h |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.1 s (best) | 7.4 s | +0.3 s |
| 0–60 mph | 4.4 s (best) | 4.6 s | +0.2 s |
| Kerb weight | 1,450 kg (best) | 1,515 kg | +65 kg |
| Gross weight | 2,050 kg | 2,070 kg | +20 kg |
| Power and torque | |||
| Power at rpm | 5000 – 6500 | 6500 | |
| Torque at rpm | 1350 – 4000 | 4000 | |
| Fuel, consumption and emissions | |||
| Consumption, urban | 7.2 l/100 km | — | |
| Consumption, extra-urban | 5.2 l/100 km | — | |
| Consumption, combined | 5.9 l/100 km (best) | 7.2 l/100 km | +1.3 l/100 km |
| Fuel tank | 40 l | 59 l | +19 l |
| Engine | |||
| Compression ratio | 10.2 | 11 | |
| Bore × stroke, mm | 82 × 94.6 | 82.0 x 94.6 | |
| Dimensions and capacity | |||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,713 mm | +4 mm |
| Height | 1,444 mm | 1,440 mm | −4 mm |
| Front track | 1,589 mm | 1,573 mm | −16 mm |
| Rear track | 1,604 mm | 1,568 mm | −36 mm |
| Ground clearance | 136 mm | 141 mm | +5 mm |
| Boot space | 375 l | 480 l (best) | +105 l |
| Wheels, suspension and brakes | |||
| Tyre size | 205/60 R16 | 225/50 R17 | |
Verdict
Scored on the figures above, not on brand loyalty
Buttons where you want them and a cleaner used-market price. The infotainment is dated but nothing about it is slow.
Better to drive in traffic thanks to the hybrid, and the screen is genuinely sharp. You pay for it in climate controls.
Upgrade if
- You drive in heavy traffic and want the smoother stop-start
- You use Apple CarPlay daily and want the larger display
Skip if
- You want physical climate controls
- You buy used and value the lower entry price
Frequently asked questions
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