The BMW 3 Series: Still the Benchmark, Just Not Forever
All three reviews use almost the same word to describe this car's position in its class: benchmark. All three also gently note that its future, in an electrifying market, is genuinely uncertain.
The Car Everything Else Gets Measured Against
Very few nameplates in any category earn the right to be the default comparison point for an entire class of rivals. Reviewers keep returning to this one precisely because, five decades in, that status still hasn't slipped.
Specs at a Glance
| Body styles | Saloon, Touring estate |
|---|---|
| Engines | 320i petrol, 330e plug-in hybrid, M340i xDrive (6-cyl) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| 0–62mph | 5.9 sec (330e) to 4.3 sec (M340i) |
| Electric-only range (330e) | Up to 62 miles official |
| Price range (new) | From around £41,310 |
Full Review Summary
What Car?
What Car? recommended the 330e plug-in hybrid specifically for company car tax purposes, rating its 62-mile electric-only range just short of the closest Mercedes rival. They praised suspension tuning that stays composed and controlled even in its softest setting, describing it as calmer through corners than a Mercedes C-Class despite firmer damping, and rated the range-topping M340i's 4.3-second 0-62mph time as genuinely quick for the class.
Top Gear
Top Gear called the six-cylinder M340i the epitome of the modern sports saloon, and found no genuinely bad way to buy into the range regardless of engine choice. They noted the car's ongoing shift toward touchscreen-based controls following a mid-life facelift, a trend they'd previously criticised on the closely related Volkswagen Golf, though felt BMW had avoided going as far in removing physical buttons. Their broader observation was that this car's future is genuinely uncertain as the brand's electric-only Neue Klasse models arrive.
Autocar
Autocar's road test detailed a significant re-engineering of the plug-in hybrid's battery placement, roughly doubling usable capacity twice over in less than a decade as the technology matured. They noted a completely diesel-free engine lineup now, a genuinely significant shift for a car whose diesel version once helped define an entire era of company car culture. Some testers detected styling details reminiscent of a Lexus, though the car remained unmistakably a BMW overall.
Strengths
- Benchmark handling and steering feel for the class
- Genuinely quick, tax-efficient plug-in hybrid option
- Composed ride even in comfort-focused suspension settings
- Strong six-cylinder performance option in the M340i
Weak points
- Increasing reliance on touchscreen controls over physical buttons
- No diesel option remains for buyers who preferred one
- Uncertain long-term future as the brand pivots toward electric-only models
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who prioritise handling and driver engagement above almost everything else in the class, with the 330e making particular sense for company car drivers chasing lower tax bands. Anyone wanting a diesel specifically will need to look at the used market or a different brand entirely.