Standout features of the 320d M Sport are its great handling and unthirsty nature. Picture: DENIS DROPPA
The Bavarian sedan slices curves with the same agility and finesse for which its forebears became famous. If you want to push it well beyond commuting pace, the rear-wheel-drive car rewards with a pinned-down feel and that typically meaty BMW steering, especially if ordered in the test car’s M Sport guise, which has firmer suspension and lowers the car by 10mm.
Those who don’t need to sit a couple of centimetres higher will find the 3 Series makes a fine car, particularly people who place driving dynamics ahead of the need to peer imperiously over other road users. External upgrades in the 3 Series are subtle and include a redesigned front apron with larger air intakes with a gloss-black finish. The updated kidney grilles are now flanked by a pair of slimmer grilles with integrated daytime running lights in an inverted L shape. Adaptive LED headlights are available as an option.