BMW 330e hybrid review

The BMW 330e plug-in hybrid promises to be a 'have-your-cake-and-eat-it' sort of car. You get the involving handling and strong performance that has come to typify the 3 Series down the years, along with four-door practicality and ultra-low running costs – particularly if you're running one as a company car.

This is achieved by means of a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with an electric motor and battery. Charge that battery regularly and make full use of the car's circa-35-miles electric range, and you could see average fuel economy north of 200mpg, while the ultra-low official CO2 emissions keep the 330e in the lower bands of the company-car tax table.

As well as all that, there's 288bhp on tap for those times when you'd rather have fun than look after your bank account, plus the option of a practical five-door Touring estate model if you need a bit more versatility and luggage space. What's not to like?

All BMW 3 Series are engaging and enjoyable to drive and the 330e is no exception, especially as it also brings smooth and quiet motorway progress along with an agile and involving driving experience on a twisty road. It's much more entertaining than an Audi Q5, for instance, and has a bit more zing than the plug-in hybrid variants of its direct rivals, the Volvo S60 and Mercedes C-Class.

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Most of the time, the 330e sends 249bhp to the rear wheels only (although a four-wheel-drive xDrive variant is available as well). But if you flick the car into Sport mode, you have access to the 'XtraBoost' function, giving a temporary increase in power to 288bhp, which is useful for swift overtaking.

At the other end of the spectrum, you can let the car prioritise smooth and silent electric running. In our experience, you can expect some 30 miles of electric running in real-world driving, which is better than many alternatives in the executive saloon and SUV classes, and could result in virtually fuel-free driving for those who can plug in regularly and rarely make long journeys. At any rate, the 330e will at least equal (if not better) the fuel economy of its 320d diesel sibling.

Practicality-wise, there's some sacrifice to be made in terms of boot space when you choose the 330e. Its 375-litre luggage capacity is 105 litres smaller than that of the regular 3 Series saloon and the boot is fairly shallow. As we mentioned above, though, BMW does offer the 330e Touring estate if you want the plug-in hybrid benefits with more boot space, however.

In all other respects, the 330e counts on all the strengths that make the 3 Series the longstanding compact executive-car class leader, including a stylish, high-quality and high-tech interior with BMW's excellent iDrive infotainment system, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

For a more detailed look at the BMW 330e, check out our twin test, where we put it up against the Volvo S60 Recharge – or read on for the rest of our in-depth review...