The current 3 Series, now in its seventh generation, was launched in 2018, and while it’s starting to come under pressure from electric-powered rivals – not least the closely related BMW i4 – and is starting to look pricey, it remains great to drive. The 3 Series’ cabin is still among the best too, with one of the finest infotainment systems in its class, an excellent driving position, and class-leading quality.
Tesla Model 3
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The Tesla Model 3 is one of those cars giving the 3 Series a bit of a hard time – pretty impressive, given that it only arrived in the UK in 2019, and Tesla itself didn’t even exist until the 3 Series was in its fourth generation. Despite the hatchback-like styling, the Model 3 is indeed a proper four-door saloon, and a spacious one at that, because its electric architecture takes up less room in the cabin than combustion-powered rivals.
Tesla updated the Model 3 in 2023, sharpening the styling with slimmer headlights, improving ride quality and refinement, and boosting range; the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive models now top 436 miles for under £45,000. The updates have made the Model 3 better than ever, though it’s still an acquired taste for some – thanks to Tesla ditching indicator stalks and a physical gear selector.
Mercedes C-Class
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Here’s another stalwart of the saloon-car class, and like the BMW 3 Series, another car that has managed to largely move with the times, becoming larger, more spacious, higher-performing and more comfortable as the years have ticked by. But where BMW’s saloon prioritises sporty handling, the C-Class is more like a shrunken S-Class, with an emphasis on comfort and technology, backed up by one of the most desirable badges in the business.
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