2027 BMW M350 xDrive Test Drive & Walkaround – 443 HP!

The 2027 BMW M350 xDrive represents a major new chapter for the BMW 3 Series, and getting a closer look at the car through a test drive and walkaround shows just how much has changed. While the new generation brings a completely different approach to technology and design, the M350 xDrive keeps something very important alive: a powerful 6-cylinder gasoline engine at the heart of a compact BMW sports sedan.

Under the hood is a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine working with 48-volt mild hybrid technology. The combination produces 443 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent through an 8-speed Steptronic transmission and BMW xDrive all-wheel drive.

BMW says the M350 xDrive can accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just 4.1 seconds. That puts serious performance behind the new design, but outright speed is only part of the story. This car has been developed to deliver the balance between everyday comfort and performance that has long defined the sportier versions of the 3 Series.

Out on the road, the M350 xDrive is designed to feel noticeably more serious than a standard 3 Series. The adaptive M suspension, variable sport steering and M Sport differential work together to give the driver greater control when the road becomes more interesting. BMW has also continued developing the xDrive system so that the car can use its available traction without completely removing the rear driven character enthusiasts expect from a performance focused BMW.

One particularly interesting feature is Drift Moment. This function is designed to allow engine power to be directed exclusively toward the rear wheels under the appropriate conditions. BMW plans to introduce the feature during 2027, including the possibility of adding it to compatible vehicles through a Remote Software Upgrade.

Walking around the M350 xDrive reveals how BMW has approached the new generation visually. Instead of simply evolving the previous 3 Series, the exterior introduces a much cleaner and more modern appearance. The proportions still communicate that this is a traditional sports sedan, with a long hood, strong shoulders and a cabin positioned to give the car an athletic stance.

The M350 receives details that separate it from less powerful versions. The aggressive front treatment gives the car considerably more presence, while available M Yellow Lights add another distinctive performance inspired touch. Larger wheels fill the arches, and the rear receives a subtle spoiler along with 4 exhaust outlets that immediately signal that this is not an ordinary 3 Series.

Those exhaust outlets are particularly important because the M350 xDrive remains firmly connected to BMW’s gasoline performance heritage. At a time when more performance vehicles are moving toward fully electric power, seeing a new BMW 3 Series with an inline 6-cylinder engine and 4 exhaust tips gives enthusiasts something familiar inside a dramatically modern package.

The interior represents an equally significant change. BMW has moved further toward a digital cabin while attempting to keep the driver’s position at the center of the experience. The displays, controls and interface have been redesigned for the new generation, creating a cabin that looks considerably different from the outgoing 3 Series.

The driving position remains one of the most important parts of the experience. The steering wheel, seating position and major displays are arranged around the driver, while the cabin still offers the practicality expected from a 3 Series sedan. That combination matters because the M350 is not supposed to be a weekend only performance machine. It needs to handle commuting, longer trips and everyday driving while still feeling special when the road opens up.

That dual personality could ultimately be one of the M350 xDrive’s strongest qualities. With 443 horsepower available, performance should never be difficult to find, but the car does not need to constantly remind the driver how fast it is. The 8-speed transmission, all-wheel drive system and adaptive chassis are there to make the performance accessible without sacrificing everyday usability.

There is also an interesting position for the M350 within the wider BMW performance family. It provides considerably more performance and hardware than a regular 3 Series while stopping short of becoming a full BMW M car. That makes it a potential sweet spot for drivers who want serious acceleration and handling without necessarily wanting the more aggressive character of an M3.

Perhaps the most important takeaway from the test drive and walkaround is that BMW has not abandoned the traditional ingredients that helped make the 3 Series famous. The technology, exterior design and interior experience have changed dramatically, but the formula underneath remains recognizable: a compact sports sedan, a powerful inline 6-cylinder engine, rear focused driving characteristics and enough practicality to use every day.

The 2027 BMW M350 xDrive therefore arrives at an interesting moment. It combines a new generation of BMW design and digital technology with an engine layout that enthusiasts have associated with the brand for decades. With 443 horsepower, xDrive all-wheel drive, adaptive M suspension, an M Sport differential and the upcoming Drift Moment function, there is much more happening here than a simple replacement for the previous performance oriented 3 Series.

For enthusiasts who were wondering whether the next generation 3 Series would still deliver a recognizable BMW driving experience, the M350 xDrive may be one of the most important models in the lineup. It moves the 3 Series forward without completely walking away from the mechanical character that made people interested in these cars in the first place.