2026 BMW M3

A truly great driver’s car can’t be too big. Size often means weight and compromised agility. Thing is, if it’s on the small side, it’s not so usable in everyday situations. Enter the 2026 BMW M3, based on the 3 Series compact luxury sedan.

The M3’s attributes are a blend of thrilling and functional. Imagine something close to the driving experience of a Porsche 911 sports car (which is much more expensive) with engineering and tech all at high levels, then add more convenience features like passenger and cargo space, plus an adaptive suspension. With the M3, BMW has created something incredibly special.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact luxury cars, including the BMW M3.

There are no major changes to the M3 this time around. This might be the final year of production for the current generation. We’re expecting an all-new 3 Series lineup for the 2027 model year.

We can see why the M3 Competition xDrive is a popular choice among M3 buyers — that ultimate grip and traction as well as the extra power is a heady combination. Even so, this is a car for enthusiast drivers and the base model’s manual transmission brings another level of engagement. We’ve also found 473 hp to be more than enough.

Rivals are few. The two AMG C-Class cars from Mercedes-Benz either come in below the M3 muscle-wise and price-wise (the C 43) or appreciably above (the C 63 S E Performance). The 472-hp Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing comes in below the base M3. It’s good, but doesn’t have the prestige or the heritage of a BMW M3.

Before buying a new M3 luxury sport sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Because it’s so desirable, the M3 enjoys above-average resale values. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The M3 has always been so much more than just a fast 3 Series. In our opinion, it’s one of the finest creations a car company has ever built. Anyone who loves driving needs to own one at least once in their lives.

The regular M3 is propelled by 473 hp going to the rear wheels and its transmission is a 6-speed manual. That sentence in itself signals nirvana for a section of the driving enthusiast community. According to BMW, the sprint from standstill to 60 mph takes just 4.1 seconds. Then again, BMW tends to understate and over-deliver rather than the other way around. Let’s just say it’s wonderfully quick. The Mercedes-AMG C 43 (402 hp) has the advantage of a tenth or two, however. Not that it really matters. After all, it’s the way the M3 balances power with precise handling that seals the deal.

The M3 Competition ups the muscle to 503 hp, while the all-wheel-drive M3 Competition xDrive is boosted to 523 horses and hits 60 mph in a fleeting 3.4 seconds. These two come with an 8-speed automatic transmission exclusively. It is tuned by the M division, though, and has paddle shifters. The xDrive system includes a setting for rear-wheel drive (RWD) and no traction control, for some track-day power-sliding. If we had to choose, though, we might still go for a rear-drive M3 because it has less weight at the front end.

An M-tuned adaptive suspension is standard across the board, while the optional carbon ceramic brakes can withstand all sorts of fast-lap punishment and they’re lighter than the usual metal items.

Fuel Economy

The M3 achieves 19 mpg in combined city/highway driving, or 18 mpg combined if it’s an M3 Competition xDrive model. We don’t think that’s a negative, given the power numbers involved. For reference, the Mercedes-AMG C 43 (with all-wheel drive) returns 23 mpg combined.

We like the flat-bottomed steering wheel in the 2026 M3, making it easy to slide our knees under. And the red marker at the 12 o’clock position is cool. Having the wheel wrapped in suede-like Alcantara material is also a tempting option. The M3 comes with sport front seats (with the option of lighter, sportier versions) covered in standard leather upholstery, while there’s still a lot of the regular 3 Series in the cabin.

The quality of materials and how they’ve been put together is at the usual top-notch BMW level. The impressive Curved Display is a standard feature in the 2026 M3. It’s a frameless glass-covered unit housing a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and an expansive 14.9-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, each with high-resolution graphics.

Although the overall 3 Series falls into the category of compact luxury sedan, each generation has been bigger than the one before. So this M3 variant is relatively spacious. Rear legroom is 35.2 inches — not ideal for average-sized adults or bigger, but pretty much as good as anything else in this class. Behind the 40/20/40 split/folding rear seats, trunk space measures a generous 16.9 cubic feet.

The M3 sits low on its suspension, wearing aerodynamic additions for efficient cooling and downforce. It also has a carbon fiber roof to lower the center of gravity and save weight (the enemy of performance) as well as an aluminum hood. Previous M3 generations were coupes, until BMW created the 4 Series. Anyone seeking a 2-door equivalent should check out the M4.

Infotainment system
We’ve found the infotainment system in the M3 easy to use. The standard navigation system includes BMW Maps, and the voice command feature can obey spoken requests to open (or close) the sunroof, for example. BMW has refined the operating system to reduce the number of actions required to access and change a function. Augmented Reality is also available for the navigation feature, with superimposed direction arrows that help at things like confusing intersections.

Manual transmission
Science has progressed to the point of particle accelerators and gene splicing, and here we are still yammering on about stick shifts. Because it’s yet another way of engaging with the M3, putting more attention into the driving experience. And one thing we’re sure will never change is that the more you put into something, the more you get out of it.

Harman Kardon audio
There will be times when the M3 can’t make its own music, which is when this standard 16-speaker/464-watt surround-sound system becomes especially welcome.

All-wheel drive
A popular option with M3 buyers, all-wheel drive helps apply the power to the road, as well as providing confidence in tricky conditions. Naturally, this system has been tuned by the M engineers.

Carbon Package
This bundle includes carbon ceramic brakes, an M Track driving mode with a drift analyzer and lap timer, carbon fiber sport front seats, and a day’s high-performance driving tuition.

Parking Assistance package
As well as steering the M3 into and out of parking spaces, this optional bundle also includes automatic reverse emergency braking, and a 360-degree camera system.

At its entry level, the M3 has a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine developing a gorgeous 473 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque going to the rear wheels. Or, in the case of the M3 Competition, 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Those 503 horses are boosted to 523 in the 2026 M3 Competition xDrive with all-wheel drive. The regular M3 has a 6-speed manual transmission. Competition variants come with an M-tuned 8-speed automatic.

The rest of the superb 2026 BMW 3 Series lineup is reviewed separately.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

BMW’s new-vehicle and powertrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is typical among European luxury car marques. Roadside assistance is included for that period, with unlimited mileage. Scheduled maintenance is free for three years or 36,000 miles, which is not so typical.

Safety Ratings

The 3 Series (on which the M3 is based) hasn’t been tested fully by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) although it did take top scores in various impact scenarios. The car also earned a maximum of five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard driver aids include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, as well as blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.