Believe it or not, this is the 2023 BMW 3 Series facelift

Yesterday, BMW released a teaser video of the 2023 3 Series facelift. While the Bavarian automaker was coy on the details, they did provide a glimpse of the refreshed sedan, particularly its smoother face. In fact, we think that it will look like the i3 electric sedan which is essentially the zero-emissions version of the 3 Series.

Fast forward to today, and BMW has officially revealed the facelifted sedan. So what did BMW actually do to update the 3 Series for the 2023 model year? Let's start by checking the (not so obvious) updates on the exterior.

The LED headlights are now slimmer and feature clear contours that give them a sleeker appearance. Meanwhile, the redesigned grille features modified curves and comes with double bars that give the 3 Series a bolder visual presence. Last but not least, the lower air intake has also been updated and is now bigger than its predecessor.

BMW also gave the 3 Series a new rear apron that comes with more L-shaped motifs for extra flair. The LED taillights are now slimmer while the exhaust tips are bigger and now measure 90 to 100mm in diameter, depending on the engine variant. Further giving the 3 Series its sporty looks are the M High-Gloss Shadowline trim, 17-inch lightweight alloy wheels (18-inches with the M Sport kit), and retro-style BMW Motorsport roundels on the hood, trunk, and wheel caps. The unique roundels honor the 50^th anniversary of BMW M and are only available for the M340i models.

While the exterior only received subtle updates here and there, it's the interior that received a noticeable change. Immediately grabbing our attention is the massive curved display that seamlessly connects the instrument panel and the touchscreen infotainment screen. The former measures 12.3-inches while the latter is 14.9-inches – resulting in a total screen size of 27.2-inches.

The system now runs on the latest BMW Operating System 8 (OS 8). BMW claims the graphics and menu feature a smartphone-like appearance that makes it easier to use. It also comes with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and a navigation system. The three-zone automatic climate control is also standard on the 2023 3 Series and can be adjusted via voice control or by way of the touchscreen.

Under the hood, the 2023 3 Series is available with a wide array of turbocharged inline-fours and inline-six engines. These include the 2.0-liter inline-four in the 330i that makes 258 PS, the 330e plug-in hybrid that produces 292 PS, and the 3.0-liter straight-six in the M340i that cranks out 387 PS.

For extra peace of mind while on the road, the 3 Series is equipped with a wide array of driver aids that elevate the comfort and safety of the sedan. These include front collision warning with brake intervention, active cruise control with brake and stop & go function, lane departure warning with lane return, a heads-up display, and parking assistant plus with panorama view.

With the facelifted 3 Series revealed in Europe, we can expect the refreshed sedan to make its way to the Philippines in the future.