2023 BMW 330e Sedan
Vehicle Type: Small Plug-In Hybrid
83
overall score
Category Ranking: 3
Vehicle Price
Base Price:
$43,300
Price as Tested:
$53,440
Fuel Information
Fuel Type: Electricity/midgrade
Fuel Capacity (gal): 10.6
120V Charge Time: 2.9 miles per hour
240V Charge Time: 7.3 miles per hour
EPA City mpg: 24
EPA Highway mpg: 32
EPA Combined mpg: 27
EPA Combined MPGe: 73
EPA-Est. Electric Range (mi): 22
Advanced Safety Features
- Adaptive Cruise Control [O]
- Advanced Headlights [S]
- Automatic Emergency Braking [S]
- Blind-Spot Warning [O]
- Driver Monitoring [S]
- Forward-Collision Warning [S]
- Lane-Departure Warning [S]
- Lane-Keeping Assistance [O]
- Rear Cross-Traffic Warning [O]
- [S] Standard, [O] Optional
Overall Observations
BMW's iconic 3 Series compact sports sedan became electrified
with the introduction of the 330e plug-in hybrid in 2020. Fully
redesigned in 2019, the 3 got updated sheet metal and a new
digital dash for 2023.
The 330e is stylish and sporty-looking inside and out, with
high-quality materials, impeccable fit and finish, and decent
interior storage. The plug-in version is powered by a turbocharged
4-cylinder engine and an electric motor (288 hp) that provide
quick acceleration and a responsive throttle. Exterior LED lighting
is very good overall.
Our test car's adaptive M suspension delivered sporty handling
and a firm ride, which turned a bit rough over uneven pavement.
Braking is responsive, if a bit sensitive. The drivetrain delivers
decent fuel economy (27 mpg combined) but a relatively low all—electric and overall range (22 and 310 miles, respectively).
Negatives for the 330e include restricted back-seat headroom,
trunk space limited by the hybrid battery, restricted rear visibility
(roof pillars, small rear window), and difficult back-seat entry
and exit. Also, interior features are managed mostly by the touch
screen; even climate controls lack knobs or hard keys.
Finally, BMW is really stingy with the 330's standard advanced
safety features. Only forward-collision warning, lane-departure
warning, and automatic emergency braking are standard—all
others are extra-cost options.
For more information on AAA Car Guide licensing:
Click HerePros and Cons
Pros
- Stylish, sporty exterior and interior
- Good power, sporty handling
- High-quality materials, excellent fit and finish
- Decent fuel efficiency
Cons
- Low EV-only range
- Ride may be too firm for some
- Too many features are controlled by the touch screen
- Hybrid battery restricts trunk space
Vehicle Specifications
Model year tested: 2023
Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 4083.0
Exterior L / W / H (in): 185.9 / 71.9 / 56.9
Wheelbase (in): 112.2
Number of air bags: 9
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Tire manufacturer and model: Bridgestone Turanza
Front and rear tire size: 225/40 R19
Max towing capacity (lbs): Not recommended
Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Drivetrain type: Rear wheel
Engine/motor: 2.0l I4 turbo
Engine horsepower @ RPM: 181 @ 6,500
Electric motor horsepower: 107
Combined system horsepower: 288
Test Data
Test Vehicle Scores
Advanced Safety Features:
8.10Fuel Efficiency:
7.52EPA Emissions Score:
7.00Acceleration:
7.10Braking:
7.82
Handling:
7.19
Quality and Drivability:
7.88
Ride Quality:
7.21Interior Size:
4.17Easy of Entry and Exit:
6.47Visibility:
6.70Interior Noise:
5.09Cargo Capacity:
.66
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