Category: Compact Executive 
Price Range: £21,525 to £38,060
Class best drive, excellent range of engines, improved looks.
Limited space in the rear, six-cylinder engines miss out stop-start, poor low-speed ride.
Nip and tuck further polishes what remains the most accomplished car in its class.
Instead of harping on about being the ultimate driving machine, these days you're more likely to hear BMW promote its green credentials.
Key to its program to lower emissions and improve fuel consumption is its Efficient Dynamics programme.
This includes reclaiming energy through braking, active aerodynamics, a gearshift indicator and intelligent alternators, as well as stop-start technology. For now, stop-start is only available on the four-cylinder engines, something the brand will remedy in 12 months' time for the six-cylinder engines.
The all-new 330d engine's emissions and fuel consumption are deeply impressive considering the performance on tap. On the average cycle it returns 49.6mpg while emitting just 152g/km of carbon dioxide, meaning it just slips in to the VED band D and the 21% BIK company car tax bracket.
The cheapest-to-run 318d carries over unchanged, averaging a stunning 60.1mpg and emitting just 123g/km, which means it sits in an even lower VED band and attracts a BIK tax obligation of just 13% for company car users.
