The 2026 BMW M3 Competition xDrive is a high-performance sports sedan with all-wheel drive, a twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, and impressive handling capabilities. Adding an all-wheel-drive option to the BMW M3 has transformed the ownership proposition for this car. The all-weather daily benefits are obvious, but the extra driven wheels truly make their mark when you're pushing the car's limits.
BMW fits the 2026 M3 Competition xDrive with its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that's rated for 523 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. The only transmission option for the Competition xDrive is the eight-speed torque-converter automatic, branded M Steptronic. A switchable all-wheel-drive system can be toggled between 4WD and 2WD modes, allowing for smoky burnouts and rear-drive tomfoolery.
Engine specifications include:
- 2993cc twin-turbo inline-six
- 523 horsepower at 6250 rpm
- 479 lb-ft of torque at 2750 rpm
- 0-60 mph: 3.4 seconds
- Transmission: 8-speed auto, all-wheel drive
- Weight: 3990 lbs
- EPA MPG: 16 / 23 / 18 (city / highway / combined)
View Price on AmazonThe M3 Competition xDrive remains a hugely fast way to cover ground, although one that feels a little inert and aloof when compared with the best of its predecessors. The S58 twin-turbocharged inline-six under the hood is a legend in waiting. Despite BMW's claimed 523 horsepower, it feels as if it's making closer to 600. That is evident in instrumented testing, where Hearst Autos has clocked a 2.8-second 0-to-60-mph run in the pre-refresh model with less power.
The power is simply everywhere, all the time, and shouting its prowess. I preferred the M Sound Control fake exhaust noise turned off, eliminating much of the contrived boominess and bringing in more of the natural, mechanical sound from the engine. I was quite skeptical when BMW switched from its quick dual-clutch to the ZF eight-speed in this generation of M3, but I've come around to it with time.
Source: roadandtrack.com
