BMW 3 Series

It might be pitched at middle-management man, but the new sixth gen 3 Series also happens to be one of the best saloons around

• Comfort

  The switchgear is mostly familiar, but all models, from the lowliest 316d, will have climate control, Bluetooth, a USB input and a 6.5in colour screen. BMW has nailed the hard points too: seats, driving position, steering wheel, instrument legibility, this is a car that's very easy to get on with.

  

• Performance

  In the long run there will be seven engines to choose from. First up, the 316d and 318d diesels will produce 116bhp and 143bhp respectively, while the 320d will come with a 184bhp version, and a 163bhp Efficient Dynamics model. That latter variant records a claimed 68.9mpg and returns just 109g/km of CO2, and is now available with an eight-speed auto. A six-speed manual is also available.

  The 320i, powered by a new turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, will produce 184bhp and just under 200lb ft of torque, while the 328i gets a 245bhp/258lb ft version of this engine. Sadly, it replaces the old naturally-aspirated sixer from the 325i and 330i, but records a 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds and fuel consumption of 44mpg, which is some consolation.

  The 335i gets the same twin-turbo 3.0-litre six-pot as before.

  

• Cool

  All the big diesel cars are pretty cool. But a de-badged BMW 318i with ‘M-Sport' written all over it will make people want to hit you in the face with a hammer. And hammer wounds aren't cool.

  

• Quality

  It's one of the things that makes a BMW 3-series so coveted; the build quality and general feel is exceptional. You pay for the privilege, but the solidity is there.

  

• Handling

  It's possible to criticise the steering, but not the car's balance, poise, agility or the fact it remains amazingly calm and unruffled in terrible weather conditions. The harder-hitting 328i is more able to up to tempo, making it the better choice for attacking a set of twisties, but we preferred the more natural everyday behaviour of the 320d, helped by the forgiving ride on inch-smaller 18s. It's just such a fuss-free device, lighter on its feet than a Merc C Class, more accurate than an Audi A4.

  

• Practicality

  Inside, the new 3 Series gets 15mm more knee room and 8mm more headroom in the rear, while the height of the rear door and its opening angle have both been increased to ease your ingress/egress. Boot space on the saloon rises to 480 litres, up 20 litres from before. BMWs don't generally break, and cope with high mileages. This is a practical car.

  

• Running costs

  It might be expensive to buy, but any BMW Three holds its value well. The diesels are desired all day long.