Compact executive saloon and Touring that rewards the driver
By Adrian, Car Lease Deals UK · Updated 16 October 2026
BMW sells the 3 Series as a saloon and a Touring estate, with petrol, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines. It remains the compact executive car many rivals are judged against.
A transparent score for the BMW 3 Series, worked out from official UK figures, not opinion. Running costs and emissions compare it like for like: same class, same fuel and powertrain.
How we score cars19.2p a mile on the 320i (41.5 mpg) at current UK prices, lower than 83% of petrol executive cars on sale
16% benefit-in-kind on the 330e, best in range for 2026/27
149 g/km on the 320i, lower than 94% of petrol executive cars on sale
480 litre standard boot (seats up)
0-62 mph in 4.2s on the M340i xDrive Pro (387 bhp), manufacturer estimate
2 powertrains: petrol, plug-in
Score for the 2026/27 tax year. It updates automatically as fuel prices, energy prices and tax rates change. See the full method.
Driving engagement separates the 3 Series from its class, and efficient hybrid and plug-in choices come with it. Rivals have narrowed the gap on interior technology.
Our editorial view, separate from the data score above.
Pick a body style, engine and trim. Everything updates together, so you only see combinations that were actually offered.
Trim level in the current range.
Boot 480 litres, length 4,709 mm. The traditional 3 Series body, favouring low weight and sharper dynamics over outright load space.
| Engine | Fuel | Power | Torque | 0–62 | Economy | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 320i | Petrol | 181 bhp | ≈ 300 Nm | ≈ 7.7s | 41.5 | 149 g/km |
| 330e | Plug-in hybrid | 288 bhp | ≈ 420 Nm | ≈ 5.9s | 313.9 | 21 g/km |
| M340i xDrive | Petrol mild hybrid | 369 bhp | ≈ 500 Nm | ≈ 4.4s | 34.9 | 188 g/km |
| M340i xDrive Pro | Petrol mild hybrid | 387 bhp | ≈ 520 Nm | ≈ 4.2s | 40.4 | 159 g/km |
Official figures, checked September 2026. Values marked ≈ are approximate.
Plug-in hybrid economy is the official WLTP weighted figure, which assumes the battery is charged regularly. With a flat battery a plug-in hybrid runs mostly on petrol, so real economy is much lower on long journeys. Electric economy is shown in miles per kWh.
Official WLTP combined figures from the Vehicle Certification Agency. Compare more cars in our economy league table.
Insurance groups and premiums vary by driver, location and history, so these are indicative bands only.
Yearly cost at 10,000 miles on official economy. Petrol 175.3p and diesel 200.0p a litre (UK average, week commencing 12 October 2026); electric 26.32p per kWh charged at home (1 October to 31 December 2026).
Road tax and company car tax on official CO2 figures at 2026/27 rates. The expensive car supplement and P11D value depend on the list price, which you enter in the calculators.
The 320i and M340i models suit drivers covering motorway miles who value comfort and refinement.
The 330e's low CO2 figure makes it attractive for benefit-in-kind tax efficiency on plug-in hybrid duty cycles.
The Touring body offers a practical, well-shaped load area without sacrificing the saloon's driving feel.
M340i xDrive models deliver strong performance and all-weather traction for engaged, quick-paced driving.
How the main ways to fund a 3 Series compare. General guidance only, not financial advice or an offer.
A popular way to access newer 3 Series models with predictable monthly costs, though this site presents no pricing or offers.
Common for private buyers wanting flexibility at the end of the agreement, subject to individual credit assessment.
A straightforward ownership route with fixed payments and no optional final balloon payment.
Useful for short-term flexibility, though typically at a higher ongoing cost than traditional finance.
Suits buyers wanting to avoid finance agreements and depreciation risk sharing entirely.
Which works out cheaper depends on your annual mileage, how long you keep the car and whether you want to own it. Try the true cost of leasing calculator to compare.
UK buyers can choose from the 181bhp 320i petrol, the 288bhp 330e plug-in hybrid, and the more powerful 369bhp and 387bhp M340i xDrive hybrid petrol variants.
Yes, the Touring estate body is offered alongside the saloon, with the same engine range and up to 1,510 litres of boot space.
The 330e returns an official figure of 313.9 mpg and just 21 g/km CO2, making it strong for company car tax purposes when driven on electric power for most journeys.
Yes, with up to 387bhp and all-wheel drive, the M340i xDrive offers strong acceleration while retaining reasonable efficiency for its performance class.
No, this site is independent and information-only, providing research content with no offers, prices or CTAs to purchase or lease a vehicle.