Car of the Year Awards 2022: Executive Car of the Year

Every school has one: a supernaturally talented kid who’s in the top set for every academic subject, yet is also artistic and a sports wizard, while being universally loved by teachers and other students alike. Makes you sick just thinking about it. Well, the BMW 3 Series has been making other executive cars sick for decades, through the simple expedient of doing almost everything exceptionally well. And the 330e M Sport is the best of the best.

Let’s start with its prowess in economics. Its efficient 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine works alongside an electric motor and a substantial battery that, if you keep it charged, officially provides up to 35 miles of near-silent electric running. That’s far enough to cover the daily commutes of many, and company car users will love how its modest 11% benefit-in-kind tax rating stacks up. It’s a dab hand at design and technology, too.

Internally, things are well thought out, with plenty of space for four adults to travel together, plus a big boot for their personal effects. Its Audi A4 classmate actually uses nicer materials for the dashboard, but the 3 Series’ is more clearly laid out and has an even better infotainment system, with crisp graphics and an intuitive rotary controller between the front seats. And yes, the 3 Series is sickeningly good at sports, with more balance and agility than any of its peers.

The 330e’s electrically boosted engine serves up a hearty combined output of 286bhp for an athletic 5.8sec 0-62mph sprint, and while this model isn’t quite as nimble on the playing field as its regular petrol and diesel siblings, it still knows how to take a corner without fumbling the ball. But while the 330e is the teacher’s pet, no 3 Series is anything other than a straight A student.

The cheaper 320d diesel, which managed an impressive 47.2mpg in our real world True MPG test, is a punchy yet thrifty choice if you cover a high annual mileage, while at the other end of the scale, the M340i petrol and M340d diesel put the emphasis on performance (with the 0-62mph sprint taking just 4.4sec in the former).

The 3 Series’ overall grades only slip down on ride quality; its old foe the A4 has the upper hand here, but the optional M Sport Pro Package (which we recommend) adds adaptive suspension, and that narrows the gap considerably. In the final exam, the 3 Series really does have all the answers.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

See all of our Car of the Year 2022 winners >>