BMW took some of the best aspects of the last 3 Series—its sharp handling, responsive drivetrain, and comfortable seats—and ratcheted them up half a notch with the revamped 2019 model. But it makes even bigger strides in terms of fuel economy, infotainment features, and standard advanced safety systems. As such, it continues to be one of the best sports sedans available.
The drivetrain in our 330i xDrive (all-wheel drive) test car is nearly without fault. The four-cylinder turbo engine delivers plenty of punch and the eight-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly and smoothly. It leaves from a stop without any turbo- or transmission-related delays, delivering more than enough get-up-and-go for any situation, highlighted by its dash from 0-60 mph in just 6.3 seconds. Even with its strong acceleration, the 330i returned 29 mpg overall on premium fuel in our testing, making it the most efficient offering in the luxury compact sedan class.
The 3 Series has a tied-down, composed attitude that makes it a joy to steer through bends. It felt even more agile and lively when driven with vigor around our track, living up to its sports-sedan heritage, with a playful yet controllable character. Its ride quality, however, has taken a step back. The 3 Series often feels jittery, and the taut suspension occasionally allows sharp jolts into the cabin; the car can even feel tense on relatively smooth highways. The cabin is very quiet, though, and the engine emits a boisterous sound that adds to the sporty demeanor.
The cabin has solid-feeling buttons and knobs, high-quality materials, and attractive matte-finish wood. The optional front seats in our tested 330i have firm, supportive cushions and ample side bolsters to hold occupants in place through corners. Both front seats have four-way lumbar adjustment, which isn’t a given, even in this luxury segment. Though far from roomy, the rear seat is more spacious than those found in most rivals.
BMW’s latest iDrive infotainment system has lots of capability, and responds quickly to inputs. It definitely requires some time to master the intricacies of all of the available functions, but its setup eventually proves pretty logical. The optional Apple CarPlay even works wirelessly, but Android Auto compatibility isn’t available.
Forward collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection are standard; blind spot warning (BSW) is optional. We found that the lane keeping assist (LKA) system can be too aggressive at steering the car back into the lane if it nears the centerline of the road, depending on the setting. This can be disconcerting when trying to give pedestrians or cyclists a wide berth.
The 3 Series doesn't come cheap. It starts at just over $40,000, but with typical options the car’s price can quickly balloon to over $50,000. Pricey, yes, but there is no denying that this is a driver-focused, multi-talented sports sedan.