Motoring

Sharp tech and smooth handling define BMW’s midlife 3 Series upgrade

Precise steering and impressive balance make this the best car in its class where handling is concerned

Starting at just over €53,000 for the 330e in its cheapest Sport trim, the BMW 3 Series is noticeably cheaper than its key rival from Mercedes-Benz, and only slightly more expensive than the entry-level Audi A4

The compact executive saloon market is a competitive one, with the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volvo S60 all competing in the same space.

Despite such strong rivals, however, the BMW 3 Series is the car that stands out the most with its mixture of quality, handling and performance, so much so that more than a million examples of the current model have been sold worldwide since its introduction in 2019.

Three years on, this ...