Introduction

Truly genre-defining cars don’t come along very often, but if there’s one enduring mainstay reference point of the automotive industry, it’s the BMW 3 Series. It has been going for more than 40 years and, for the vast majority of that time, it has been the yardstick by which all its competitors are measured – and they’re usually found wanting. Today, the Three is not quite so far ahead of the pack, if it’s still class-leader at all, but it remains a superb vehicle in many respects.

In the Saloon line-up of the 3 Series, there are over 30 different drivetrain and spec combinations alone, with another four provided by the 330e iPerformance plug-in hybrid, so there should be a variant to meet every conceivable need. A wide range of excellent engines and the choice of traditional rear- or four-wheel drive keeps the sixth-generation BMW 3 Series, launched in 2012, at the sharp end of the market. 

Did you know? This generation of 3 Series is the first of the six built across 40 years that has an entirely turbocharged engine line-up.

Verdict | Design | Interior | Technology | Performance | Safety | Specs | Running Costs | Pricing

Verdict: ★★★★★★★★★☆ (8.6/10)

The BMW 3 Series remains one of the finest premium four-door saloons you can buy. Its very name defines the sector it competes in, but rival companies have rolled up their sleeves and set about closing the gap...