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.
The BMW 3-Series has scored the full five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests, and even entry-level models have all the kit. Six airbags, anti-whiplash head restraints, stability control, traction control, cornering brake control and dynamic brake control are included. Run-flat tyres are also standard-fit, with tyre pressure monitoring, and SE models have rear parking sensors and cruise control.
Six-cylinder models have an uprated dynamic stability control system called DSC+, with brake standby, rain brake support, hill start assist, brake fade compensation and soft-stop electronic aids in addition to the basic system's traction control and cornering brake control.
