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Discover the best electric sedans to buy in 2026—featuring top models with great range, performance, and cutting-edge tech from the experts at InsideEVs

The eighth-generation BMW 3 Series is not a single car offered with two engine choices. For the 2027 U.S. lineup, BMW is pairing the all-electric i3 50 xDrive with gasoline 330, 330 xDrive, and M350 xDrive sedans. The distinction matters: the two powertrain families share a design direction and much of their cabin technology, but use different vehicle architectures and suit different driving routines. BMW announced the eighth-generation cars on September 29, 2026, with U.S. launches planned to begin in the first quarter of 2027. Here is how the announced U.S. models compare, what BMW’s early electric-range estimate means, and which details buyers should wait to confirm. ## At a glance: four U.S. launch models The launch lineup puts an electric sedan beside three gasoline versions. BMW lists the following base prices before its $1,350 destination and handling charge: Model| Powertrain| BMW-announced output| Starting MSRP ---|---|---|--- 2027 BMW 330| 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, 48V mild hybrid| 255 hp| $49,900 2027 BMW 330 xDrive| 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, 48V mild hybrid, all-wheel drive| 255 hp| $51,900 2027 BMW M350 xDrive| 3.0-liter turbo inline-six, 48V mild hybrid, all-wheel drive| 437 hp| $65,900 2027 BMW i3 50 xDrive| Dual-motor battery electric, all-wheel drive| 463 hp| $61,500 These are U.S. prices and power figures from BMW’s launch announcement. Add $1,350 for destination and handling to compare the quoted starting prices with an initial delivered-price figure; options, taxes, and dealer charges can change the total. ## Electric i3: the long-range, fast-charging option The i3 50 xDrive is the first fully electric 3 Series sedan in this lineup and the electric U.S. launch model BMW has named. It uses two motors, one at each axle, for all-wheel drive and 463 horsepower. BMW estimates a 0-to-60-mph time of 4.5 seconds. BMW says a higher-performance i3 M60 xDrive will join the range in 2027. BMW gives the i3 an estimated range of 446 to 468 miles. That figure is based on preliminary company testing using EPA test procedures; it is not a final EPA-certified range. The spread also signals that the eventual result may depend on the vehicle’s configuration. Buyers should check the final EPA listing and the specific car’s window sticker before treating the estimate as a purchasing guarantee. AI-generated technical illustration for explanation only. It does not show BMW hardware or exact vehicle layouts. The electric model’s 800-volt system can accept DC fast charging at up to 400 kW under compatible conditions. BMW estimates that a ten-minute stop can add 191 to 208 miles of range. Peak charging power is not a constant: the station, battery temperature and charge level all affect how quickly energy is added, so the figure describes a best-case capability rather than every charging session. BMW also describes bidirectional charging functions, including vehicle-to-load for powering compatible devices and vehicle-to-home for supplying energy to a home during an outage, with the required equipment. Those are useful capabilities to compare, but installation needs and adapter availability should be confirmed as U.S. ordering details become final. BMW’s earlier i3 overview explains how the Neue Klasse electric model combines its battery, motors, displays, and driving systems. ## Gasoline 330 models: familiar refueling with mild-hybrid assistance The 330 and 330 xDrive use a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic. BMW says both are estimated to reach 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The 330 sends power to the rear wheels; the xDrive version adds all-wheel drive. Both four-cylinder cars include a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. A belt-driven starter-generator helps recover energy and assist the engine, but this is not a plug-in hybrid: drivers do not charge it from an outlet, and BMW has not described it as an electric-only driving mode. The attraction is that owners can continue to refuel at a gas station while the system supports engine response and efficiency. ## M350 xDrive: the six-cylinder performance choice At the top of the gasoline launch range, the M350 xDrive combines a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 48-volt assistance. BMW quotes 437 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque, with a claimed 0-to-60-mph time of 3.9 seconds. It comes with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed sport automatic. Its announced Drift Moment mode is intended to send power to the rear wheels for controlled slides, but BMW says the feature will arrive by software update during 2027. That timing is worth remembering: a launch-day specification sheet may describe a feature that is not enabled on the first cars delivered. ## One family look, two vehicle architectures BMW says electric and gasoline models share the Neue Klasse design language, broad cabin concept, and Panoramic iDrive interface. The cabin includes a 17.9-inch central display and BMW Operating System X. That gives the range a more consistent identity than simply placing an EV beside an unrelated sedan. AI-generated conceptual cockpit illustration; it does not depict the BMW interior or software interface. Underneath, the cars are not identical. BMW notes that the electric and combustion models differ slightly in dimensions and wheelbase because of their separate architectures. The electric i3 belongs to the Neue Klasse platform, while the gasoline cars retain a combustion-engine layout. In practical terms, shared styling and screens do not mean the cars have the same packaging, service requirements, or driving feel. Driver-assistance systems are another shared headline, but feature availability can depend on equipment and location. BMW says Highway Assist enables attentive hands-free driving on suitable limited-access highways at up to 85 mph. It remains a driver-assistance system: the driver must stay attentive and ready to take control. ## Which new BMW 3 Series should you consider? * **Consider the i3 50 xDrive** if home or workplace charging is practical, you want an all-electric daily driver, and the final EPA range and charging access fit your routes. * **Consider the 330** if you want the lowest announced starting price and rear-wheel drive, while keeping the familiar refueling routine. * **Consider the 330 xDrive** if you prefer the four-cylinder model’s all-wheel-drive traction and can accept its higher starting price. * **Consider the M350 xDrive** if six-cylinder power and quicker acceleration matter more than the price gap and fuel use. BMW says U.S. launches for the i3 50 xDrive, 330, 330 xDrive, and M350 xDrive will begin in the first quarter of 2027. The sensible next step is to compare the final window stickers, EPA numbers, and equipment lists once they are published, then test-drive the electric and gasoline versions you can realistically charge or fuel. Until then, treat the range and performance figures as BMW’s announced estimates, not independent road-test results.

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