Category: Compact Executive 
Price Range: £21,525 to £38,060
Quick, economical, excellent engines; a great drive; all the usual 3-Series attributes.
Has a smaller boot than many rivals, and limited rear-seat space for passengers; no stop-start for six-cylinder models; expensive for a small family car.
The Touring's not exactly a load-lugger, but it's more versatile than the saloon.
Updated for 2009, the BMW 3-Series continues to lead the class in terms of driving dynamics, performance, refinement and all-round sophistication. The restyling is fairly subtle - a bit of reshaping around the headlights and grille, a smoothed-off bonnet, tweaked air intakes and other minor touches - but there are some more substantial changes under the surface.
Main news is the introduction of the new 242bhp 3.0-litre straight-six diesel engine (labelled 330d); fuel consumption and emissions have been cut in the 325d (197bhp), 335d (286bhp) and other models. A 2.0-litre diesel engine powers both the 177bhp 320d - set to be the best-seller - and the 143bhp 318d, and petrol options are the 318i (143bhp), 320i (170bhp), 325i (218bhp), 330i (272bhp) and 335i (306bhp). Trim levels on offer are ES, SE and M Sport, and prices for the Touring start from £22,665 (318i ES).
