If you want a luxury car that is just as fun to drive as it is comfortable, then the compact sedan segment is arguably the best place to look. Among the many fantastic sporty options available is a model that has been around for decades, consistently setting a benchmark for all others to live up to.
Compact luxury sedans are meant to be performance machines with finely crafted interiors. To be successful in this segment, a balance between speed and opulence needs to be struck. One German brand is renowned for walking this line, and the car that made them famous easily rivals every other small sedan out there.
We take a look at the German sports sedan that continues to set the standard for the luxury compact segment in 2025. We explore how much it costs and how you should spec it to get the most for your money. We also detail how its interior and performance combine to make it the best in its class.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from BMW websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed and the EPA.
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BMW’s 3-Series Is The King Of Premium Compact Sedans
If you’re looking for a mix of sporty driving dynamics and luxurious interior features, then the luxury compact car segment is definitely the sweet spot. It is incredibly competitive and new rivals are constantly popping up, but despite all this, the BMW 3-Series still sits at the top of the stack.
2025 Trims and Pricing
|
Models |
Starting MSRP |
|---|---|
|
330i |
$45,950 |
|
330i xDrive |
$47,950 |
|
M340i |
$60,200 |
|
M340i xDrive |
$62,200 |
The 3-Series is certainly not the cheapest option in its segment, with rivals from the likes of Acura, Volvo, and Lexus fighting it out for that title. Cheapest does not mean best, though, and the 3-Series sedan feels worth every penny. From an engaging drive to a plush cabin, it ticks all the right boxes.
For the 2025 model year, BMW has made some small enhancements to their compact sedan. One of the biggest upgrades is the fact that it now comes with the updated iDrive 8.5 infotainment software, which we’ll get into later. A number of new paint options and wheel designs are also available, along with a reworked steering wheel and an updated dashboard. Finally, the plug-in hybrid 330e has been removed from the lineup.
Best Value Model
We can’t deny the allure of the M340i, with its intoxicating inline-six and fantastic body control. However, we think that the base 330i delivers enough power and excitement. Unless you really need the all-wheel drive system for its additional traction and control in slippery conditions, we’d stick with the rear-wheel drive model as it is simply more fun.
To get the ultimate 3-Series, though, we’d throw on some additional packages. First, start with the $2,550 M Sport Package. This adds some additional styling elements, a ton of interior upgrades, and a unique suspension tune. We’d also tack on the $2,450 Premium Package, which adds a ton of tech, including a heads-up display, a power-operated tailgate, a heated steering wheel and a number of additional driver-assist features.
Warranty and Maintenance
- Limited Warranty – Four Years or 50,000 Miles
- Powertrain Warranty – Four Years or 50,000 Miles
- Complimentary Maintenance – Three Years or 36,000 Miles
While BMW doesn’t have a class-leading warranty plan, it is good enough to compare with rivals like Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Rivals like Genesis do offer more comprehensive packages. What is most impressive, though, is that your first three maintenance visits are covered by the German brand, meaning that you don’t have to worry about additional costs in your first three years.
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You Get a Choice Of Two Fantastic Engines In The 3-Series
At its heart, the 3-Series is a sports sedan. It comes in two different forms, the 330i and the racier M340i, but either way, you’re going to get a car that is exceptionally rewarding to drive. When you’re not pushing it hard, though, it offers a comfortable and refined ride that makes your daily commute a dream.
Performance Specifications
|
Engine |
2.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four |
3.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Six |
|---|---|---|
|
Transmission |
8-Speed Automatic |
8-Speed Automatic |
|
Horsepower |
255 HP |
386 HP |
|
Torque |
295 LB-FT |
398 LB-FT |
|
Driveline |
RWD or AWD |
RWD or AWD |
|
0-60 MPH |
5.2 Seconds |
3.7 Seconds |
|
Top Speed |
156 MPH |
150 MPH |
You can either get a 330i with an overachieving turbocharged four-banger or an M340i with a smooth turbo inline-six. Both come fitted with one of the smoothest shifting automatic transmissions out there. You can get rear-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive, but we think the former is more enjoyable. Even if you live somewhere it snows, we’d go for the cheaper rear-drive model and get a set of winter tyres.
Regardless of which model you go for, the 3-Series is quick, you just choose how quick you want it to be. Its ability to transition from smooth, quiet, and refined driving to raucous and playful fun in an instant is incredibly impressive. It really walks the line between comfort and performance better than any of its core competitors do.
Fuel Economy
|
Model |
City |
Highway |
Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
|
330i |
28 MPG |
35 MPG |
31 MPG |
|
M340i |
27 MPG |
33 MPG |
29 MPG |
|
330i xDrive |
26 MPG |
34 MPG |
29 MPG |
|
M340i xDrive |
26 MPG |
33 MPG |
29 MPG |
Despite having such a hard focus on performance, the 3-Series is actually impressively efficient. This is especially true of the slick six-cylinder in the M340i, delivering much more power without sacrificing fuel economy by all that much. Every model other than the rear-wheel drive 330i is capable of 29 miles per gallon for combined highway and city driving.
Safety and Driver Assists
- Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Emergency Braking
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go
- Evasion Aid
- Parking Assistant Plus
This is one of the few areas where BMW could make some improvements. The German brand is fairly stingy when it comes to standard equipment offered on the 3-Series. While things like automated emergency braking are standard, most of the desirable features are locked behind optional packages.
That being said, if you do equip the packages on your 3-Series, which we think is definitely the way to go, you do get some of the most high-tech features available right now. This includes semi-autonomous driving, a system that automatically steers to avoid accidents, and a self-parking function.
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A Classy Yet Sporty Interior Awaits You In The 3-Series
Just as the German brand likes to balance the driving dynamics of their cars, their interiors equally walk the line between performance and comfort. This knack for creating premium materials has always been a hallmark of the BMW brand, and the modern 3-Series demonstrates how they continue to lead the way.
Interior Dimensions and Comfort
|
Front Row Headroom |
38.7 Inches |
|---|---|
|
Front Row Legroom |
42 Inches |
|
Second Row Headroom |
37.6 Inches |
|
Second Row Legroom |
35.2 Inches |
|
Cargo Capacity |
16.9 Cubic Feet |
The 3-Series is pretty spacious for the class that it competes in. Those in the front have tons of room to stretch their legs and will feel cradled by the comfortable sports seats. Those in the back might not be quite as comfortable, but you likely won’t hear too many complaints either. Cargo capacity is on the large side for the compact segment as well, with most competitors offering less.
The modern design used throughout the BMW’s cabin is sleek yet inviting. Build quality is exceptional and a ton of premium materials are used throughout. Heated front and rear seats are available, as are features like ambient interior lighting and a heated steering wheel. Three-zone automatic climate control is also on offer.
Infotainment and Technology
- Curved Display with BMW iDrive 8.5
- Navigation with Real-Time Traffic Info
- Voice Control with Natural Language Recognition
- Available Gesture Control
- Available 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System
As is the case for most modern BMWs, the 3-Series makes use of a digital dashboard. This consists of a 12.3-inch digital gauge display and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen which share a single panel. The display is high resolution and response time is fast. The new iDrive 8.5 software is also very easy to navigate.
Tons of features come standard in the 3-Series. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is included, along with in-dash navigation. SiriusXM satellite radio and a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot are also standard kit. Wireless charging, a heads-up display, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system are optional extras.