Should you buy one?

Yes. If you want a medium-sized plug-in hybrid family car, and it’s in budget, then this is the best you can buy right now. And as such, we can heartily recommend the 330e in either Saloon or Touring form – with the latter’s additional practicality being a major selling point for us.

The closest plug-in rival is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class PHEV, but right now, as an overall package, the 330e beats it on all areas except electric range, though an upgraded 330e is on the way later in the year.

But while the 330e does the whole PHEV thing exceptionally well, it still isn’t the kind of car that works as well as it should for car enthusiasts – a criticism you’d level at pretty much all plug-in hybrids. This is a well thought-out and even enjoyable tool, though, with tenacious handling and incisive steering. But it does rather lack the genuinely emotional experience a really outstanding BMW can deliver.

What we like

Everything we like about the standard 3 Series holds true here. Its sharp handling, roll-free cornering and incisive steering, are a cut above all of its rivals, while the interior and controls are an absolute joy to use.

BMW’s plug-in hybrid is blessed with plentiful performance, a decent real-world electric range of around 35 miles and some other very clever tricks. Its popularity is no accident – you might buy it to save on tax, but you can enjoy yourself at the same time, as it’s a BMW through-and-through and outdrives all of its rivals.

What we don’t like

It’s all relative, but do bear in mind that if you’re opting out of a 330d or 330i, it’ll feel marginally less agile in your hands – but we’re talking fractions. However, it does also sound rather dull and bland, and and the ride quality is on the lumpy side in M Sport guise, even in Comfort mode.

Newer PHEV rivals such as the C-Class also have longer EV ranges and therefore attract lower company car tax costs.

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