Edited 9/23/2020: M3 and M4 details.
Edited 11/30/2020: Added 4 Series Convertible.
2 Series
Navigation system with real time traffic, front and rear parking sensors, Apple CarPlay and Satellite radio are now standard.
Luxury Line trim and Track Handling Package have been eliminated on 230i models.
2 Series Gran Coupe
Satellite radio is standard and Android Auto joins Apple CarPlay's smartphone integration compatibility.
Live Cockpit Pro, a 10-1/4" LCD digital gauge cluster and 10-1/4" touchscreen infotainment screen, is now standard.
3 Series
A new plug-in hybrid model is available: 330e. With up to 23 miles of electric-only range and rear or all-wheel drive, it will offer commuters in areas like California a way to get access to special lanes and a clean conscience if they live close to work. M340i models also gain mild-hybrid technology to increase their efficiency and low-end power and response.
Heated rear seats are now offered.
Automatic high beams are now standard. Android Auto compatibility is added.
4 Series Coupe
The first and most obvious change is to the front grille, which now, more than ever, resembles a huge shaver. The wheelbase is about an inch-and-a-half longer, the overall length is up by more than five inches, the track is over an inch wider, height (RWD models) is up by about half an inch (xDrive models are the same), and the coefficient of drag is significantly improved: now 0.25 Cd.
Automatic high beams are now standard.
A new drive recorder feature logs video to the front and rear 40 seconds at a time. If a collision occurs it can store the video of it.
4 Series Convertible
2021 BMW 4 Series Convertible courtesy BMW USA News
The 4 Series convertible shares all of the coupes changes, including the big mouth, but has an even bigger change: a soft convertible top replaces the metal one as hardtop convertibles continue to go out of vogue.
5 Series
A mild refresh gives the 5 Series a newer look. The 540i now has a mild hybrid powertrain; horsepower and torque remain the same. The 530e plug-in hybrid gains 40 horsepower, sharing its 288-horsepower rating with the new 330e.
The exterior length grows by over an inch. The grille becomes larger, a relentless trend
Inside, digital displays get larger: two 12.3" displays cover the driving instruments and the infotainment, the latter being a touchscreen. A drive recorder function is now available.
Automatic high beams and satellite radio are now standard. Remote engine start is now offered and standard on M550i. Wireless charging in the center console is no longer standard.
7 Series
A Drive Recorder is now standard. The CD player is discontinued.
Heated front armrests and remote start are now standard.
8 Series
Lane Departure Warning is now standard.
Night Vision is no longer offered.
i3
Engine ratings go down by 2 and 3 horsepower on the i3 and i3s, respectively.
i8
The plug-in hybrid sports car stopped production in June. Neither as fast as an average Tesla nor as efficient, and with a fraction of the electric range, it only sold 20,500 units over a six year period.
M2
The hot, 444-horsepower CS version is gone, a one-year special model.
M3
2021 BMW M3 Competition, courtesy BMW USA News
This icon, missing for two model years, is set to return for the 2021 model year. A 6-speed manual transmission will be standard along with a 3.0-liter, inline 6-cylinder with 473 horsepower, 406 pound-feet of torque and rear-wheel drive. The M3 Competition boasts 503 horsepower, 479 pound-feet of torque and an 8-speed ZF automatic with paddle shifters; all-wheel drive will be optional on this model. It is not clear whether an automatic transmission will be offered on the less-powerful variant, but the $2900 difference between the two indicates you should just upgrade all the way if you want one less pedal.
An electronically adaptive suspension with wishbones and multiple links is standard, as are massive 15-inch front brakes, vented and drilled. Carbon ceramic brakes checking in at 15.7 inches are optional on Competition.
All of the 3 Series' amenities are offered, plus a new one: ventilated driver and front passenger seats, a first for the M3. Perhaps they will be offered in lesser 3's at a later date.
The M3's sheet metal is edgier and more likely to attract attention, both wanted and unwanted, but the obvious feature is the dreaded dual snorkel up front. Perhaps BMW should hire the guy from Honda that banished the Acura beak.
M4
2021 M4 Competition Coupe, courtesy BMW USA News
Speed hungry driver's don't have to wait long on the M-variant of the refreshed 4-series this time out: the 2021 M4 coupe is coming soon. On parity with the M3 in power, brakes, tires, and amenities, it will offer 473-horsepower manual, rear-wheel drive and 503-horsepower automatic rear and all-wheel drive variants, called "Core" and "Competition," respectively. This means the new "Core" model has 20 more horsepower than the old, rare M4 CS. The Competition adds 50 horsepower over the CS.
Not a simple refresh, the M4's wheelbase is almost two inches longer, the overall length is up by almost five inches and the front track is an inch-and-a-half wider.
Ventilated front seats are now an option.
An M4 convertible should appear by Summer of 2021, about when the xDrive (all-wheel drive) version of the M4 Competition arrives.
M5
2021 BMW M5 Competition courtesy BMW USA News
A refresh similar to the workaday 5 Series, with new front and rear styling highlights the exterior changes. Overall length is up almost an inch with no change to the inside. Of course the grille is larger.
Inside a 12.3-inch touch screen infotainment system adds Android Auto compatibility (Apple CarPlay still works) and bases the navigation maps in the cloud, so that street they just finished last Summer should be on it. Unfortunately, the design of the 12.3-inch screen is old-school Mercedes i-Pad glued to the dash, probably due to the fact that this large piece is new to an old design and a refresh could not integrate the new screen cleanly.
M5 Competition gets a Track mode which turns all assistance functions off. This disables the cruise control and the audio system.
Engines, transmissions and all-wheel drive systems remain the same. M5 Competition's suspension is retuned, with new shock absorbers.
Four-zone air-conditioning is now standard. Night Vision is no longer offered.
M8
The M8 Coupe and Convertible standard models are discontinued, leaving only the Competition models and the Gran Coupe, which still comes in base 600 horsepower form or 617 Competition form.
The standard SiriusXM is upgraded to SiriusXM 360L.
Night Vision is no longer offered.
X1
Satellite radio is now standard.
X2
Satellite radio is standard.
28i models will offer a spacial "Edition M Mesh." A mesh grille, M Sport exterior package, unique 19-inch wheels with orange or black highlights, M Sport leather seats and badges.
X3
A new plug-in hybrid version, X3 xDrive30e, boasts an 18-mile electric-only range and 288 horsepower combined from its gasoline and electric motors.
All models now have standard satellite radio, SiriusXM360, with a one-year subscription. Android Auto compatibility is added.
Lane Departure Warning and Active Blind Spot Detection are now standard.
X3 M
2020 BMW X3 M courtesy BMW USA News
Brand new for late 2020, the 2021 model gains a hands-free liftgate that opens and closes with a kick under the bumper. Ventilated front seats are now available, a stand-alone option.
X4
Standard SiriusXM360 and Android Auto. Lane departure warning and blind spot warning are also standard.
X4 M
Ventilated front seats are now offered.
X5
The xDrive50i with its 456-horsepower 4.4 turbo V8 is discontinued, leaving customers to jump from the xDrive40i 335-horsepower 6-cylinder turbo to the 523-horsepower M50i.
To fill the gap created by the loss of the xDrive50i, a new plug-in hybrid variant, the X5 xDrive45e, combines the straight-6 turbo engine and an electric motor for a combined 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. This green candidate for a carpool lane sticker can tow 7200 pounds and drive 30 miles on electricity alone.
The sDrive40i and xDrive 40i are now mild hybrids, with a 48-volt system that provides powertrain assist, recuperates more braking energy and helps start/stop functions. Overall power is basically unchanged and fuel mileage is also not really different: 1 MPG better city mileage on xDrive, but highway is down 1 MPG.
Satellite radio is now standard, has been upgraded to SiriusXM 360L and includes a 1-year subscription. Android Auto compatibility is added.
X5 M50i now has standard ventilated front seats and remote start. These features are still optional on Drive40i models.
A trailer hitch is no longer standard, but has been moved to the options list.
Heated and cooled front cupholders are no longer offered, except on the X5 M. Perhaps you need hot coffee if you're driving 155 MPH?
The Off-road package is no longer offered, though many of its features, such as the air suspension, can still be ordered separately.
Infrared Night Vision with pedestrian detection is no longer offered.
X6
The sDrive40i and xDrive 40i are now mild hybrids, with a 48-volt system that provides powertrain assist, recuperates more braking energy and helps start/stop functions. Overall power is basically unchanged and fuel mileage is also not really different: 1 MPG better city mileage on xDrive, but highway is down 1 MPG.
Satellite radio is now standard, has been upgraded to SiriusXM 360L and includes a 1-year subscription. Android Auto compatibility is added.
Heated and cooled cupholders are no longer offered except on X6 M.
Night Vision no longer offered.
X7
The xDrive50i with its 456-horsepower 4.4 turbo V8 is discontinued, leaving customers to jump from the xDrive40i 335-horsepower 6-cylinder turbo to the 523-horsepower M50i.
At the top of the heap, a new Alpina XB7 marks the first time the tuner has applied its name to a sport utility. Wholly owned by BMW, Alpina's name is applied to special models, models that are performance oriented, but considered too luxurious for the "M" moniker. The XB7 gets a 4.4 twin-turbo V8, similar to the M50i, except its tuned for 612 horsepower, in between the X5 M and X5 M Competition output. Torque is a much higher 590 pound-feet, compared to 553 for the X5 M Competition. Active exhaust flaps allow quiet operation most of the time, but at full throttle engine sound is allowed a freer romp. 1/4-mile time is estimated at 12.6 seconds and top speed is limited to 180 MPH. All-wheel drive and an active limited slip rear differential helps put the power down.
The Alpina XB7 gets BMW's Active Roll Stabilization, a system that controls the sway bars electronically to actively control roll in corners and keep the vehicle riding smoother at other times. The XB7 is the only X7 to offer it. Massive 285/35R23 front and 325/30R23 rear tires are optional. (285/45R21 are standard, the same as the standard X7.)
Android Auto compatibility is added. Standard SiriusXM is upgraded to 360L and a 1-year subscription is no included. Integral Active Steering, which can turn the rear wheels up to 2.3 degrees is also standard on XB7, optional on other X7 models.
Remote engine start, heated front armrests and heated steering wheel are now standard.
Off-road package discontinued. Ambient Air package is discontinued; you'll have to bring a can of Axe with you.
Z4
Android Auto compatibility joins standard Apple CarPlay and satellite radio is now standard, is upgraded to SiriusXM 360L and comes with a 1-year subscription.
The adaptive M suspension is no longer offered on the Z4 sDrive30i.