Pros: Outstanding agility and ride/handling balance; availability of wagon body style and diesel engine option; broad selection of powertrain choices
Cons: Steep pricing; somewhat stingy on standard features; Intrusive automatic start/stop system
CG Says: The 2017 BMW 3-Series is little changed. The step-up version of the turbocharged 2.0-liter four sees a bump in horsepower from 240 to 248. As a result, the 328i has been rebadged 330i. The M Sport package is now standard on 340i models. BMW 3-Series is a premium compact available as a sedan or wagon. There is also a choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The 3-Series offers a wide range of engine choices. The base engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder available with 180 horsepower in 320i or 248-hp in 330i. The turbo four is paired with a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 3.0-liter six cylinder develops 320 hp in 340i and is mated to a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission. In the high-performance M3, the turbo 3.0-liter six develops 425 hp and is available with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission. The hybrid drivetrain of the 330e combines a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a combined 248 hp. An 8-speed automatic is the only transmission choice. The 330e is capable of traveling approximately 14 miles on electric power alone. Also available is a 328d with a 180-hp turbodiesel 2.0-liter four-cylinder with an 8-speed automatic. BMW’s premium-compact mainstay continues to excel for its dynamic excellence, solid build quality, and surprising fuel efficiency. The four-cylinder engine is robust, but not as smooth as we would expect, and on all models, the automatic transmission sometimes seems to hold back the engines from delivering on their full performance potential. Base prices are in line with the class, but BMW continues its practice of charging rather exorbitant sums for items that are either standard or much less costly on rival premium-compact cars. The diesel 328d offers excellent fuel economy with satisfyingly robust power. The 340i’s turbo six should deliver acceleration that justifies the 6-cylinder’s price premium over the 4-cylinder models.
| Class | Premium Compact Car |
| Body Style(s) | 4-door sedan, 4-door wagon |
| Passenger Count | 5 |
| Drive Wheels | rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive |
| Manufacturer | BMW |
| Nation of Manufacture | Germany |
| Base Prices | 320i sedan: $33,450 AWD 320i xDrive sedan: $35,450 330i sedan: $38,750 AWD 330i xDrive sedan: $40,750 AWD 330i xDrive Sports Wagon: $42,950 328d sedan: $40,250 AWD 328d xDrive sedan: $42,250 AWD 328d xDrive Sports Wagon: $44,450 330e hybrid sedan: $44,100 340i sedan: $47,900 AWD 340i xDrive sedan: $49,900 M3 sedan: $64,000 |
| Base Engine turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower 180 (320i), 248 (330i) |
| Std. Transmission 8-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission 6-speed manual |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 21-23 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 32-35 |
| Optional Engine turbodiesel 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (328d) |
| Horsepower 180 |
| Std. Transmission 8-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 30-31 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 40-43 |
| Optional Engine turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder |
| Horsepower 320 (340i) 425 (M3) |
| Std. Transmission 6-speed manual |
| Avail. Transmission 8-speed automatic (340i) 7-speed automated manual (M3) |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 17-21 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 24-32 |
| Optional Engine turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder/plug-in electric (330e) |
| Horsepower 248 |
| Std. Transmission 8-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA Gas Engine Combined (mpg) 30 |
| EPA Electric Motor Combined (MPGe) 71 |
ROAD TESTS AND ADDITIONAL INFO
