BMW 3 Series

how-to-spec-a-bmw-3-series

Saloon

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

3 SERIES

At the most recent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/">What Car? Car of the Year Awards,</a> we named the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">BMW 3 Series</a> as our favourite executive car for the second year running. While the car itself&nbsp;was the same, however, this year the 320d diesel was no longer our pick; instead, we went for the&nbsp;330e plug-in hybrid.

Why? Well, thanks to the&nbsp;330e's partly electric power, you'll&nbsp;benefit from significantly lower tax bills, without losing the involving drive that the 3 Series has become known for.&nbsp;

Choose M Sport trim&nbsp;and most of your equipment needs will already be catered for, because luxuries including sat-nav, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>, heated leather seats and 18in alloy wheels already come as standard. We think there's room to add more luxury without blowing your budget, though, so here's what we'd choose from the options list.

BMW 3 Series options to choose and avoid

<h3>1. Adjustable lumbar support (£265)</h3>

We think it's a little stingy that this top-end version of the 3 Series doesn't come with adjustable lumbar support for the front seats, but at least it doesn't cost a lot to add. Buttons on the side of the base&nbsp;allow you to select your preferred settings, helping to make longer journeys much more comfortable.

BMW 3 Series options to choose

<h3>2. Extended storage pack (£190)</h3>

If you'll be using your car for regular trips with the family as well as for commuting, this pack makes a lot of sense. You get extra storage space for your odds and ends, as well as two more USB charging sockets on the rear of the centre console – perfect for topping up all of those&nbsp;devices that'll&nbsp;keep your kids content during long drives.

<h3>3. Adaptive M Sport suspension&nbsp;(£2200)</h3>

M Sport versions of the 3 Series look fantastic, but their firm ride means you'll feel the road's lumps and bumps in rather too much detail. If you opt for adaptive suspension, though, you can stiffen or soften the ride at the touch of a button, and its comfiest setting makes&nbsp;the&nbsp;3 Series&nbsp;calmer on urban roads than versions with the standard non-adaptive setup. This upgrade is only available as part of the M Sport Plus package, which also gives you larger 19in alloy wheels, a beefier look and upgraded brakes.

<h3>4. Type 2 charging cable (£165)</h3>

If you'll only ever be charging from a home wall box,&nbsp;a 1-phase Type 2 charging cable is all you'll need, and will cost you £165. If you'll occasionally be charging at motorway service stations or in other areas where 3-phase charging is available,&nbsp;we'd advise paying a little extra for the 3-phase cable, which ensures your car will always charge at the highest available rate. Why should I invest in a charging cable, you might ask? Well, as standard, your 330e&nbsp;will only come with a three-pin charger, which will take an age to charge the car's battery.

<h3>Electric seats (£1700)</h3>

The only way to get electrically adjustable seats in your 330e is to opt for the Premium Pack. Unfortunately, this also adds a panoramic roof which limits head room, so we'd save our money instead – especially if you've separately gone for the adjustable lumbar support we recommended earlier.

BMW 3 Series options to avoid

<h3>19in alloy wheels (£750)</h3>

If you're going for&nbsp;M Sport trim, you might be tempted into getting larger, 19in alloy wheels. However, we'd advise sticking with the standard 18s, because you'll have a comfier ride and save a bundle in the process.

<ul>
	<li>Model&nbsp;- BMW 330e M Sport auto</li>
	<li>List price&nbsp;- £41,460</li>
	<li>Target Price&nbsp;- £36,216</li>
	<li>Target PCP&nbsp;- £408 per month</li>
	<li>Options we'd add&nbsp;- Adjustable lumbar support (£265),&nbsp;Extended storage pack (£190),&nbsp;Adaptive M Sport suspension&nbsp;(£2200),&nbsp;Type 2 charging cable&nbsp;(£195)</li>
	<li>Cost of options&nbsp;- £2850</li>
</ul>

<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw/3-series/saloon/deals?engineHamId=BM3E20SXT8292&amp;trim=m-sport">View our latest BMW 3 Series deals &gt;&gt;</a></h3>

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<h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/how-to-spec">Next: See how to spec more cars &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

BMW 3 Series: best buy

At the most recent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/">What Car? Car of the Year Awards,</a> we named the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">BMW 3 Series</a> as our favourite executive car for the second year running. While the car itself was the same, however, this year the 320d diesel was no longer our pick; instead, we went for the 330e plug-in hybrid.Why? Well, thanks to the 330e's partly electric power, you'll benefit from significantly lower tax bills, without losing the involving drive that the 3 Series has become known for. Choose M Sport trim and most of your equipment needs will already be catered for, because luxuries including sat-nav, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>, heated leather seats and 18in alloy wheels already come as standard. We think there's room to add more luxury without blowing your budget, though, so here's what we'd choose from the options list.

<h2>BMW 3 Series options to choose</h2>

<h3>Adjustable lumbar support (£265)</h3>We think it's a little stingy that this top-end version of the 3 Series doesn't offer adjustable lumbar support, but at least it doesn't cost a lot to add. Buttons on the side of the seat allow you to select your preferred setting, helping to make longer journeys much more comfortable. This upgrade adds the same feature for front passengers, too.

<h3>Extended storage pack (£190)</h3>If you'll be using your car for regular trips with the family as well as for commuting, this pack makes a lot of sense. You get extra storage space for your odds and ends, as well as two extra USB charging sockets on the rear of the centre console – perfect for charging all of the devices that'll keep your family quiet during road trips.

<h3>Adaptive M Sport suspension (£2200)</h3>M Sport versions of the 3 Series look fantastic, but their firm ride means you'll feel the road's lumps and bumps in rather too much detail. If you opt for adaptive suspension, though, you can stiffen or soften the ride at the touch of a button, and its comfiest setting makes the 3 Series calmer on urban roads than versions with the standard non-adaptive setup. This is only available as part of the M Sport Plus package, which also gives you larger 19in alloy wheels, a beefier look and upgraded brakes.

<h3>Type 2 charging cable (£)</h3>If you'll only ever be charging from a domestic wall box, a 1-phase Type 2 charging cable is all you'll need, and will cost you £165. If you'll occasionally be charging at motorway service stations or in other areas where 3-phase charging is available, we'd advise paying a little extra for the 3-phase cable, which ensures your car will always charge at the highest available rate. Why should I invest in a charging cable, you might ask? Well, as standard, your car will only come with a three-pin charger, which will take a long time to charge the 330e's battery.

<h2>BMW 3 Series options to avoid</h2>

<h3>Electric seats (£1700)</h3>The only way to get electrically adjustable seats in your 330e is to opt for the Premium pack. Unfortunately, this also adds a panoramic roof which limits headroom, so we'd save our money instead – especially if you've separately gone for the adjustable lumbar support we recommended earlier.

<h3>19in alloy wheels (£750)</h3>If you're sticking with M Sport trim but have already decided against the adaptive suspension we recommended earlier on, you might be tempted into getting larger 19in alloy wheels instead. We'd advise sticking with the smaller 18in alloys instead, however, because you'll have a comfier ride and save a bundle in the process.

<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw/3-series/saloon/deals?engineHamId=BM3E20SXT8292&amp;trim=m-sport">How to buy your ideal BMW 3 Series</a></h3><ul><li>Model: BMW 330e M Sport auto</li> <li>List price: £41,460</li> <li>Target Price: £36,216</li> <li>Target PCP: £408 per month</li> <li> Options we'd add: Adjustable lumbar support (£265), Extended storage pack (£190), Adaptive M Sport suspension (£2200), Type 2 charging cable (£195) </li> <li> Cost of options: £2850 </li></ul>

Remember, you could save even more by buying through What Car? New Car Buying, so go and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">view our latest deals.</a>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><hr /><h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/how-to-spec">Next: see how to spec more cars &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

At the most recent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/">What Car? Car of the Year Awards,</a> we named the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">BMW 3 Series</a> as our favourite executive car for the second year running. While the car itself was the same, however, this year the 320d diesel was no longer our pick; instead, we went for the 330e plug-in hybrid.

Why? Well, thanks to the 330e's partly electric power, you'll benefit from significantly lower tax bills, without losing the involving drive that the 3 Series has become known for. Choose M Sport trim and most of your equipment needs will already be catered for, because luxuries including sat-nav, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>, heated leather seats and 18in alloy wheels already come as standard. We think there's room to add more luxury without blowing your budget, though, so here's what we'd choose from the options list.<h2>BMW 3 Series options to choose</h2>

<h3>Type 2 charging cable (£)</h3>If you'll only ever be charging from a domestic wall box, a 1-phase Type 2 charging cable is all you'll need, and will cost you £165. If you'll occasionally be charging at motorway service stations or in other areas where 3-phase charging is available, we'd advise paying a little extra for the 3-phase cable, which ensures your car will always charge at the highest available rate. Why should I invest in a charging cable, you might ask? Well, as standard, your car will only come with a three-pin charger, which will take a long time to charge the 330e's battery.<h2>BMW 3 Series options to avoid</h2>

<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw/3-series/saloon/deals?engineHamId=BM3E20SXT8292&amp;trim=m-sport">How to buy your ideal BMW 3 Series</a></h3><ul><li>Model: BMW 330e M Sport auto</li> <li>List price: £41,460</li> <li>Target Price: £36,216</li> <li>Target PCP: £408 per month</li> <li> Options we'd add: Adjustable lumbar support (£265), Extended storage pack (£190), Adaptive M Sport suspension (£2200), Type 2 charging cable (£195) </li> <li> Cost of options: £2850 </li></ul>Remember, you could save even more by buying through What Car? New Car Buying, so go and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">view our latest deals.</a>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><hr /><h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/how-to-spec">Next: see how to spec more cars &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

How to spec a BMW 3 Series

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Effortless long-distance capability</li> <li>Strong standard specification</li> <li>Low running costs</li> <li>Comfortable driving position</li> <li>Comprehensive yet easy-to-use infotainment system</li></ul>

Executive cars are often the choice of company car drivers, so factors such as CO2 emissions (which govern your monthly tax bill) are just as important as cruising refinement for those long motorway journeys, a plush cabin and (whisper it) the image of the badge on the bonnet.

The good news is that there are options for all budgets and tastes. If rear space is crucial and you’re willing to put up with a less-than-premium badge, the Skoda Superb is tough to beat, while if you want a premium badge on the bonnet then the BMW 3 Series is consistently one of our favourites in this class.

And don't think you're limited to just petrol or diesel-powered choices in this class,&nbsp;because at the top end the Tesla Model 3 is well worth considering for its long range and engaging driving style.

Executive

Our guide to BMW's award-winning executive saloon covers which version to go for, which options to choose and how much to pay for it all

How to spec a BMW 3 Series        

Estate

Alfa Romeo now has one of its strongest-ever model line-ups, after years of living off past glories.

The BMW 3 Series-rivalling Giulia executive saloon is one of the best cars in its class to drive and has performed very well in the annual What Car? Reliability Survey, while the closely related Stelvio competes in the booming SUV class.

Smaller and larger SUVs are planned, as is a two-door coupé version of the Giulia that will take on the Audi A5, BMW 4 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé.

It’s all a long way from the days when Alfa Romeo just had a couple of dated hatchbacks (the Mito and Giulietta) and the niche 4C sports car in its range.

ALFA ROMEO

Yes, Aston Martin is the preferred manufacturer of a certain (not so) secret agent, but its latest cars offer a lot more than the chance to indulge your Bond fantasies.

The DB11 grand tourer, for example, won its price point at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards, thanks to its beautifully crafted interior and the fact that it’s both fun in the corners and a convincing long-distance cruiser. Meanwhile, the latest Vantage is Aston Martin’s best sports car to date.

The modern Aston Martin isn’t afraid to move with the times, either, with a luxury SUV part of its future model plans.

ASTON MARTIN

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

In many ways, modern Bentleys offer the best of both worlds, blending traditional British craftsmanship with modern mechanicals developed with the help of the company’s owner, Volkswagen.

The Bentayga SUV, for example, is closely related to Audi’s brilliantly engineered Q7 (another VW Group car). Yet the Bentayga still feels every inch a Bentley, thanks to its hand-finished interior and the fact that it’s available with Bentley’s outrageous W12 engine.

Other Bentleys you can buy today include the Flying Spur and Mulsanne saloons and the Continental GT coupé.

BENTLEY

BMW ALPINA

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition, featuring paintwork-protecting ‘Airbumps’ and eschewing the sporty looks favoured by most rivals.

Indeed, Citroën tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from small hatchbacks (such as the C1 and C3) to big, family-friendly seven-seaters (the Spacetourer and Grand C4 Spacetourer).

The C3 Aircross SUV is another of its popular models, while a larger C5 Aircross is planned.

CITROEN

DS has only existed as a standalone manufacturer since 2015&nbsp;(prior to that the badge was used on upmarket&nbsp;Citroëns), but it is now the premium brand in the PSA Group, which also includes&nbsp;Citroën, Peugeot and Vauxhall.

In 2018, DS stated that it planned to launch a new model every year, with all of these influenced by the French fashion industry and&nbsp;designed&nbsp;to take on the ubiquitous offerings of Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

First to arrive (that same year) was the&nbsp;DS 7 Crossback – a large SUV that competes with the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. Then in 2019 this was followed by the smaller DS3 Crossback SUV, which is not only available&nbsp;with petrol and diesel engines, but also in fully electric E-Tense form.

More recently, DS&nbsp;unveiled its answer to the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class luxury saloons. And while this DS 9 won't now go on sale until 2021, when it does arrive it will be offered with a choice of petrol, hybrid and fully electric power.

GENESIS

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

Jaguars are consistently among the best-handling cars of their kind, with the firm’s model range encompassing the XE, XF and XJ saloons, the F-Type sports cars and multiple SUVs.

Jaguar was actually relatively late to launch its first SUV, the F-Pace, but it quickly followed it up with the smaller E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace.

That SUV range will keep growing, too, with larger and more luxurious SUVs planned to take on the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover from sister brand Land Rover.

JAGUAR

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

Do you look at the models of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz and find them all a bit too… common? Well then, Maserati might be up your street.

This Italian car maker has one SUV in its line-up – the Porsche Cayenne-rivalling Levante – but also the Ghibli and Quattroporte saloons, GranTurismo coupé and GranCabrio drop-top.

Despite its long history, Maserati has been through several periods of inactivity but is now in better health thanks to being part of the large Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group.

In the future, we’re expecting to see Maserati grow its SUV range with new models to sit above and below the Levante, as well as a new range-topping sports car.

MASERATI

Mazda can be summed up in a single word: bold. Not only do its cars generally look like nothing else on the market, but it’s also invested heavily in innovative engine technology.

So, while many car makers have moved to smaller turbocharged engines, Mazda instead offers larger motors that are still efficient. For example, the entry-level petrol option in the Mazda 3 is a 2.0-litre unit –&nbsp;far larger than what you’ll find in most rivals – but it remains very clean.

Highlights of Mazda’s line-up include the MX-5 sports car, which has won our Convertible of the Year Award multiple times, and the CX-5 large SUV, which was named as our inaugural best car for dog owners.

MAZDA

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

When it comes to making a statement about how successful you are, there is no brand that shouts “I’ve made it!” more emphatically than Rolls-Royce.

If that’s all you want from your car, look no further. The firm has expanded its range in recent years, with the top-of-the-range Phantom saloon being joined by the Cullinan SUV, and other models including the Wraith and Ghost.

Whichever way you go, if you have to ask how much it costs, the chances are you can’t afford it. And, even then, the base price is unlikely to be what you end up spending, such is the list of alluring options on offer.

It’s also a moot point whether the cars themselves – rather than the image they portray – represents the very best way to spend your money. What Car?’s testers rate all of them positively but reckon that – if you’re buying with your head rather than your heart – there are other cars that you should also consider.

ROLLS-ROYCE

Once best known for its flame-spitting, rally-bred Imprezas, Subaru’s focus now is on cars that will appeal to a far wider audience, and especially one that values go-anywhere ability and no-nonsense values above all others.

The result is a mixed bag of offerings, none of which rise beyond being average in their class but most of which have facets that make them stand out from their rivals. Core to its range are the Forester and Outback SUVs, while the Levorg is a more conventional estate.

At other extremes, there’s also the BRZ, an entertaining coupé that is let down by its price and resale values, and of course the Impreza, which comes in a variety of forms, including a hot model.

SUBARU

Tesla is a US brand&nbsp;that revolutionised&nbsp;the car industry, putting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a> in the limelight&nbsp;for the first time – helped by the personality and profile of boss Elon Musk.

Today, Tesla has a broader&nbsp;line-up than ever, with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> saloon&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-y/hatchback/review/n23624">Tesla Model Y</a> SUV the company's cheapest models. For those with bigger budgets or a need for more space, there's the larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla Model S</a> saloon and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla&nbsp;Model X</a> SUV.&nbsp;A&nbsp;new Roadster, complete with supercar-beating acceleration, is also in the works.

&nbsp;

TESLA

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

VOLVO

2 Series Gran Coupe

5 SERIES

7 SERIES

8 SERIES GRAN COUPE

Brilliant to drive and a fine all-rounder – the 3 Series is a&nbsp;superb executive car

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How to spec a BMW 3 Series

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