2022 BMW M3

History/Overview

For decades, the BMW M3 has been regarded as the holy grail of sport sedans, a nearly ideal combination of performance, handling, luxury, and practicality. Last year saw BMW roll out the sixth generation of this iconic model.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

For 2022, the M3 gets AWD as an option for the first time in its history.

Available Trims

BMW offers the M3 in base and Competition trims. Both use a 3.0L turbo inline six-cylinder engine. The base model gets a six-speed manual transmission, while Competition trades up to an eight-speed automatic. The xDrive AWD system is optional in Competition models.

Standard Features

The BMW M3’s base model comes fitted with a heated steering wheel, auto start/stop, sport differential, adaptive suspension, passive keyless entry, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated/power-adjustable front sport seats with driver memory, automatic A/C, LED headlights, and digital gauges.

Standard safety kit includes front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, radar cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic high beams, and BMW’s driving assistant.

Competition models get an upgraded gauge cluster, and a Harman Kardon stereo.

Key Options

A premium package adds ventilated front seats, Harman Kardon audio, drive recorder, head-up display, laser headlights, heated rear seats, hands-free trunk, integrated garage remote, and surround-view cameras.

An M carbon package brings carbon fibre trim inside and out; an ultimate package builds on that with a full Merino leather interior, and a sunroof.

In Competition models, you can also add an advanced driver assistance package.

Fuel Economy

BMW has not published any fuel consumption estimates for the sixth-generation M3, despite the car having been on the market for more than a year as we write this.

Competition

The BMW M3’s fiercest competitors are other high-strung German models: the Audi RS5 and Mercedes-AMG C 63. But don’t forget the Volvo S60 Recharge, a plug-in hybrid whose optional Polestar Engineered package offers competitive speed; and Blackwing versions of the Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V.