The plug-in hybrid version of the BMW 3 Series, the 330e, is the mid-spec trim of the lineup and is now offered for sale at a base MSRP of $44,950. With no significant upgrades from the outgoing 2021 model, apart from the reshuffled optional packages and a few standard features, the 2022 BMW 3 Series Plug-In Hybrid does tick most of the boxes for someone who wants a frugal daily driver without compromising on the build, safety, and luxury.
The performance of the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine mated to an electric motor is more than enough to cruise at highway speed, and the automatic transmission is fast and smooth all the time. The acceleration times are excellent, and the car also turned out to be very comfortable in terms of ride quality and has the typical BMW driving dynamics. We also loved the feature-packed interior and infotainment as well. Competing with the Volvo S60 Recharge, here are 10 things you need to know before buying the 3 Series Plug-In Hybrid.
10 Quick For A Compact Luxury Sedan
The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 motor gets support from a single electric motor with a 13.8-kWh battery capacity, making sure that the car feels sprightly throughout the rev range. Producing 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, and coming mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and the RWD drivetrain, the car feels easy to drive with more than enough grunt with the press of the gas pedal.
Floor the throttle from a standstill, and the car rewards you with a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 14.1 seconds. The top speed of 130 mph is more than adequate too. However, the Volvo S60 Recharge, which costs $6,000 more, offers better performance. The 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds and the quarter-mile time of 13.6 seconds are superior too.
9 Comfortable Ride Quality
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The independent front and rear suspension do make the ride very pleasing. There are also multiple modes on offer, and all of them alter the suspension setup. We would recommend you to put the car in comfort mode for a pliant traveling experience. The suspension holds up very well at slow speeds and the potholes are absorbed with ease.
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The neutral suspension setup means that the high-speed ride quality is great as well. There is no major vertical movement during highway speed and that leads to the passengers feeling less fatigue. In comparison, the Volvo S60 Recharge wasn't as comfortable at these speeds.
8 Superior Driving Dynamics
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The driving dynamics surely have taken a hit from the BMW 330i which can be attributed to the added weight of the battery and electric motor and the lack of near 50-50 weight distribution of the 330i. However, it is still a great car to drive around the winding section of roads. The independent front and rear suspension are tuned well, and the body roll is much lower than the S60 Recharge.
We also found the car to respond well when needing a sudden direction change, and it never feels twitchy and unsettled. The electric power steering retains the precision and smoothness of the older model years, and the feel and feedback are impressive. Dial the car to the sport mode and the suspension, steering, and throttle response gets tuned more for tackling the corners rather than for comfort, and we found the car to be the most engaging in this mode.
7 Excellent Exterior Design
There aren't many visual differences from the regular BMW 3 Series, and the handsome styling looks as good as ever. Offered for a base MSRP of $44,950, the front-end gets the quintessential BMW design language and the gorgeous LED headlights with LED DRLs make it stand out very well. Get the optional M Sport package and the car looks even more striking due to the blacked-out elements.
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The side profile also carried forward the sharp character lines, blacked-out pillars, and the standard 18" v-spoke wheels. There are also multiple optional 19" wheel designs. Nine exterior color options are offered, and the painted brake calipers add to the sportiness. The rear silhouette is the most beautiful portion to look at, and it is highlighted by the LED taillights, dual exhaust tips, and the masculine bumper design.
6 Typical BMW Interior
The majority of the interior of the 2022 BMW 3 Series PHEV comes fitted with great quality materials. The interior gets a heavy dose of leather on most of the dashboard and door cards, and there are nine different color schemes to choose from. We also admire the multiple wooden and aluminum accent configurations, making it feel very rich and premium.
The interior is very ergonomic and the wide armrest along with the great front and rear seat makes it a great tool for hitting the highway. The digital gauge cluster is bright and packs a lot of information. The leather-wrapped steering wheel, best-in-class voice recognition system, and the ambient lighting system coming in as standard add to the elegance.
5 Very Economical
The BMW 3 Series PHEV makes a lot of sense at this time with soaring gas prices. This compact luxury PHEV offering could do 28 MPG combined, which turned out to be superior to the Volvo S60 Recharge. However, the all-electric range of 28 miles is not the best of the segment.
The combined MPGe rating of 75 turned out to be better than the Volvo as well. But the 10.6-gallon fuel tank capacity offered by BMW makes the range feel restricted, offering just 795 miles. The S60 Recharge offered a superior tank range of 1,097 miles thanks to a much larger 15.9-gallon fuel tank capacity.
4 iDrive Infotainment Is Feature-Packed
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The standard iDrive 8.8" center stacked touchscreen infotainment system is standard for the 330e and is a breeze in terms of the user interface. Voice recognition is also the most advanced of the segment. The car can also identify the different accents, and the overall experience is superior to the Sensus Connect infotainment of the Volvo.
All the regular features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM radio, Bluetooth, navigation, and many more are standard. There is an iDrive infotainment controller stacked to the center console that allows the driver to operate the system without relying on the touchscreen interface, and there is optional gesture control onboard too.
3 Great Braking Performance
The 2022 BMW 3 Series Plug-In Hybrid comes with a 4-wheel disc brake setup, all of which are ventilated. Along with that, braking features like ABS with EBD, brake assist, and automated emergency braking being present as well. Due to the hybrid powertrain, there is regenerative braking, which helps to slow down the car very effectively.
Take your foot off the gas pedal, and the regenerative braking system makes sure that the car decelerates while charging the battery packs. Push firmly on the brake pedal and the car stops without feely twitchy. There is excellent braking progression and the front-end dive is minimal. The initial bite is sharp and precise as well. All of these help the car to provide an impressive 60-0 mph braking distance of just 105 feet.
2 Received The Highest Crash Safety Ratings
Like the outgoing 2021 model, the 2022 BMW 330e got an overall crash safety rating of 5-stars in the NHTSA crash test, with a similarly high rating in all the subsections like the frontal, side, and rollover crash tests. The IIHS also gave it the top safety pick title for the midsize luxury sedan segment.
The standard driver-assistance techs include forward collision warning and automated emergency braking. However, all the other features like lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert are part of the optional packages. Nevertheless, all the basic safety features are onboard and the build quality is top-notch.
1 Spacious Cabin For A PHEV
The only compromise you get in terms of interior space when compared to the regular BMW 3 Series is when it comes to the trunk space. That is due to the incorporation of the battery pack, which leads to a reduction of 3.8 cu ft in trunk capacity.
When it comes to the rear seat space, we found it to be perfect for two passengers. The headroom and legroom are great for the class, with the shoulder room being reasonable too. However, due to the protruding transmission tunnel, the third passenger is not welcome. The front seats are wide and hold the passengers perfectly, and there are no complaints regarding the space either.