BMW 3 Series review

Step inside a post-facelift 3 Series and you’re greeted with a simply mahoosive Curved Display on top of the dash. It’s made up of a 12.3in screen behind the steering wheel and a 14.9in infotainment touchscreen, and since the 2024 update it runs the BMW Operating System 8.5. That means a new-look home screen and an “improved menu structure”, although it’s still too fiddly for our liking. The icons look too similar so it can be tricky to navigate.

The fancy screens are fitted at every trim level, though, and are high in resolution and responsive to touch. It’s just a shame there’s very little configuration to the dials on the display behind the wheel, which always feels like a missed opportunity. But at least the relatively fixed setup is nice and legible.

The tidied-up interior is pretty pleasing, all told, not least because BMW has kept the rotary knob familiar since iDrive landed two whole decades ago: its last stand, most likely, with new-generation models ditching it. Nav is standard but you might be more likely to hook your phone up to the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

An eight-speed automatic gearbox is also standard across the range and now operates through a small toggle switch rather than an oddly shaped knob. This makes it more laborious to notch the transmission into manual mode, but for everyday driving, that’ll never be an issue. The short spell of DIY control gifted when you pull on a paddle will be enough for most users.

The interior is nice and roomy – no change on the pre-facelift G20 – and the materials are all up to muster. Good legroom in the rear, too.

What’s the boot space like?

Luggage space in the 3 Series saloon is 480 litres with the pure petrol powertrains. That’s more room than you get in the Mercedes C-Class (455 litres) and the Audi A5 (445 litres). You do lose quite a bit if you go for the 330e PHEV though – you’re looking at just 375 litres because of the battery under the boot floor. Want more room? The 3 Series Touring is your answer.