2022 BMW M3

　　

2022 BMW M3 Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　, rating written byMark TakahashiManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　BMW's latest vertical grille styling really puts the "don't judge a book by its cover" adage to the test, but it also reinforces that notion if you can get past the front end on the 2022 BMW M3, climb in, and give it a go. BMW's storied M3 still delivers the kind of power, handling and overall performance that makes it deserving of the M badge and also provides all the latest technology in a convenient and luxurious sedan.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 BMW M3 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$247/mo  for M3 Base

　　M3 Base

　　4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) - $70,100 MSRPCompetition 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $73,000 MSRPCompetition xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $77,100 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　New for 2022 is the addition of BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system, marking the very first time AWD is offered in the M3's three-decade-plus history. It's only available in the top Competition model, and only with an eight-speed automatic, but it promises to quicken acceleration while giving drivers an added advantage when cornering. Even better, if you feel the need to lay down some big smoky drifts, you can switch to a rear-drive-only mode intended for track use only (wink wink).

　　The xDrive addition, along with a redesign last year, keeps the 2022 BMW M3 at the top of an elite list of high-performance luxury sedans. Rivals include the Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63, Audi RS5 Sportback, Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing. We're confident you'll agree the M3 is the best, but it can't hurt to test-drive all of them for, you know, "research."

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the M3 drive? We tested the BMW M3 Competition xDrive. It's ferociously fast. The 0-60 mph sprint took just 3.2 seconds in our testing, handily beating the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and Audi RS 5 Sportback. However, the transmission can be reluctant to downshift, even in Sport mode. So if you're about to tackle a set of serpentine mountain roads, we suggest you keep the transmission in its manual shift mode.

　　Handling is superb. The M3 Competition is a true sport sedan, with lots of grip and very little roll in corners. All-wheel drive is newly available for this M3 generation. Not only does it cut down acceleration times, it also improves traction when it starts to snow outside. You can disable the all-wheel-drive system and send all of its power to the rear wheels for tail-out antics, if that's still your thing.

　　Unfortunately, BMW's modern steering calibration continues to be fine but not great. The car reacts quickly to driver inputs, but in Comfort mode, the steering doesn't increase in effort as you move away from dead center. This lack of effort buildup makes it difficult to intuitively know where the wheels are pointed, which is especially evident in back-to-back cornering. Switching to Sport mode for its heftier weight is needed for spirited driving.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the M3? You aren't getting the plush, pillowy ride that you'd find in a similarly priced 7 Series, but the M3 Competition is surprisingly comfortable given its capabilities. In Comfort mode, the adaptive dampers help prevent the sport-tuned suspension and narrow tire sidewall from making the M3's ride too harsh. Even though the optional carbon-fiber bucket seats, which is what our test car had, don't have many adjustments, it's pretty easy to dial in a setup that you find comfortable. However, the carbon-fiber insert in the middle of the seat might also force some drivers to splay their legs while behind the wheel.

　　Wind and road noise is acceptable for this kind of sport sedan, but our editors are mixed on the engine's exhaust note. Some think it sounds like a symphony of strained blenders at full whack while others think it absolutely rips, especially from the outside.

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