The veteran retains its podium spot
Is there another BMW as iconic as the BMW 3 Series? Probably not. This is the car that built BMW in America, where it quickly established itself as the penultimate sports sedan, a title it has yet to relinquish. It retains its sharp handling reflexes, with quick steering, strong brakes, and a well-controlled ride with minimal body lean. The current generation 3 Series is offered as the 255-horsepower 330i or 386-horsepower M340i, with rear-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine or a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine mated with a mild hybrid system and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The EPA rates the 3-Series at 29 mpg in combined city/highway driving, except for the base 330i, which returns 31 mpg. All models require premium fuel, and towing is rated at 3,747 pounds with trailer brakes. An optional M Sport package tightens up the suspension, while a Dynamic Handling package brings adaptive dampers. Both packages transform this buggy’s ride, rendering it firm but not punishing.
The interior houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen with redundant console-mounted controls. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot are standard, while a head-up display is optional. The cabin’s modern design and ambient lighting make it feel well worth its price, with firm and comfortable seats. Trunk space is very good at 17 cubic feet – fairly large for this sedan’s overall length. The 3-Series certainly remains the world’s best sports sedan, but you might wonder what its competition is like. Here’s a sampling of the 3-Series’ continental competitors.
Alfa Romeo Giulia
From a sheer performance standpoint, the Alfa Romeo Giulia can more than hold its own dynamically against the BMW 3 Series. Oozing with style, it’s offered with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 280 horsepower through an eight-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels or all four. It’s EPA-rated at 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving with rear-wheel drive and 26 mpg with all-wheel drive. Premium fuel is required, and towing is rated at 3,500 pounds. Trunk space is also fairly good, measuring 17 cubic feet.
A 12.3-inch instrument cluster and an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. Even if the Giulia’s interior finishes aren’t quite as special as its German rivals, its seats’ aggressive bolsters and sumptuous leather telegraph that you’re in a sports sedan. Its fast, dynamic feel will have you grinning every minute you’re behind the wheel, with balanced handling, quick steering, and engine and exhaust noises that will ensure that you’ll never listen to the radio.
Audi A4
Audi models have always benefited from a quiet sophistication that belies their adept performance. Then again, it’s always the quiet ones that you have to watch. This is the final year for the A4 sedan, which is powered by a 261-horsepower, turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder mild hybrid system and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with standard all-wheel drive. It’s EPA-rated at 29 mpg and requires premium fuel with a 1,580-lb towing capacity. While the Audi proves athletic when roads turn twisty, it offers a bit more damping than the BMW and a bit more comfort as a result.
The cabin is roomy, although trunk space is tight at 12 cubic feet. The A4’s instrument panel is anchored by a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with elegant graphics that eschew the circus-like user interface used by its German rivals. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto are standard. A 4G Wi-Fi hotspot is available on Premium Plus and Prestige models. The Audi A4 is an incredibly competent yet quietly sophisticated luxury compact sports sedan that doesn’t need to shout its intentions.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mercedes-Benz sedans are like Russian stacking dolls; what you expect on one, you can expect on others, just sized differently. And while the company may use a single formula, it works, producing cars that are uniquely products of the three-pointed star. Beautifully styled and detailed, the C-Class is powered by a 255-horsepower, turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder mild hybrid system that funnels its power through a nine-speed automatic transmission to the real wheels or all four. EPA-rated at 29 mpg with rear-wheel drive and 27 mpg with all-wheel drive, all C-Class models require premium unleaded fuel. Its towing capacity is 3,950 pounds with trailer brakes. Trunk space measures 13 cubic feet.
A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging are standard, while a head-up display is available. The C-Class handles like a sports sedan, but its steering and brakes return a feel that trails the best-in-class. It still proves to be a luxurious automobile, though, emitting an upscale vibe that is distinctly Mercedes-Benz.
Volvo S60
Volvo has implemented few changes to the S60, which counts the 2025 model year as its last. That’s too bad, as its cool Scandinavian elan is unique, giving it a unique presence that’s unmistakably Volvo. It comes with either a 247-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is as unexciting as it sounds, or as a plug-in hybrid with 456 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and 40 miles of pure electric driving range. The four-cylinder S60 is EPA-rated at 30 mpg with front-wheel drive and 28 mpg with all-wheel drive. The plug-in hybrid is rated at 31 mpg when running its gas engine, and all Volvo S60s use premium fuel. The towing capacity is 2,000 pounds. Trunk space is on the small side at 12 cubic feet.
Inside, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, an infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a head-up display are standard. You’ll find the interior quality to be excellent, with a restrained sumptuousness that plays to its personality. The S60 isn’t really a sports sedan. Although it acquits itself well enough, it lacks the edgy, connected feel that the best in this class offer. If you prefer a bit more comfort, however, this is your ride.
Final thoughts
The BMW 3 Series remains the best-in-class among sports sedans and remains the model every other automaker seems to imitate. The Alfa Romeo certainly challenges the BMW’s performance cred, but interior quality prevents it from being its equal. The Mercedes-Benz comes close but fails to deliver the essence of a great sports sedan, instead offering a quintessential contemporary luxury experience. The Audi delivers the compelling handling you’d expect with a quiet dignity that is the brand’s modern-day hallmark. Finally, we have the Volvo, which isn’t the sports sedan you expect but delivers it in a package that is wholly its own.
There’s no wrong answer among this crowd, with each car delivering a unique, pleasing persona. Take each for a ride and see which European beauty best speaks to your needs.
