By: Joshua Lee
May 31, 2025
For decades, the BMW 3 Series has been the gold standard for compact luxury sports sedans. As automotive trends shift toward SUVs and electrification, sedans face increasing pressure to stay relevant, particularly those that claim to deliver a true driver’s car experience. Thanks to BMW Canada, we spent a week with the 2025 BMW 330i xDrive Sedan to see whether it still holds the crown.
Under the hood of the 2025 330i xDrive is BMW’s familiar 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo inline-four. It delivers 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque, with added responsiveness from a 48-volt mild hybrid system. This integrated starter-generator smooths out stop-start transitions and helps fill in torque gaps, making the throttle feel more immediate, especially in city driving.
Power is sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission to BMW’s rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The drivetrain strikes a nice balance between traction and driving feel. In most conditions, it behaves like a rear-wheel-drive car, only calling on the front axle when needed. The result is an agile, composed sedan that encourages spirited driving on twisty backroads.
BMW’s steering continues to impress here. The 330i’s steering is precise and well-weighted. The suspension, particularly with the optional M Sport package, delivers excellent body control and flat cornering. It can feel firm over potholes or broken pavement, especially with the larger 19-inch wheels. Opting for the standard 18-inch wheels would slightly soften the ride while preserving most of the handling prowess.
BMW has made subtle updates to the 330i’s styling for 2025. The design remains evolutionary, with clean lines, a long hood, and short overhangs that maintain the classic sports sedan look. The kidney grilles are modest in size, which will please traditionalists.
A new Arctic Race Blue Metallic paint option gives the car a contemporary and youthful look. The front bumper has sharper accents, and the LED headlights now feature a more aggressive signature. The M Sport package adds larger air intakes, gloss black trim, and a rear diffuser that enhances the athletic stance.
Inside, the 3 Series benefits from a tech update with BMW’s latest Curved Display and iDrive 8.5 infotainment system. This setup features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster alongside a 14.9-inch central touchscreen, integrated into a sweeping, unified panel. The graphics are sharp, and the system is smooth to operate. That said, drivers who prefer tactile controls may miss the older iDrive controller, which provided easier shortcuts to deep menu settings.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as are a wireless charging pad and Wi-Fi hotspot. Voice control and BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant add hands-free functionality, though the learning curve with some digital climate and seat functions remains a drawback. Thankfully, physical buttons remain for key functions such as volume and drive mode selection.
Material quality throughout the cabin is excellent. Soft-touch surfaces, aluminum accents, and optional Ash Grey open-pore wood trim give the cabin a premium feel. The Cognac Perforated Sensatec sport seats offer a good balance of support and long-distance comfort, with both front seats power-adjustable and memory-equipped on the driver’s side. Rear seat space is adequate for average-sized adults, though legroom trails some competitors. The trunk provides 480 litres of cargo space, with split-folding rear seats for added practicality.
Safety is well covered in the 330i. Standard driver aids include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. Optional packages add adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, and a 360-degree camera system. BMW’s systems intervene subtly, keeping the driver in control. The surround-view camera and parking sensors are useful in tight spaces, and the adaptive cruise control works smoothly in traffic.
The 330i xDrive is rated at 8.9L/100km city, 6.9L/100km highway, and 8.7L/100km combined. Over our test week, we observed 8.4L/100km on premium fuel.
Pricing for the 2025 BMW 330i xDrive Sedan starts at $56,900. Our test vehicle added the $4,000 Premium Package, $200 M Sport Package, and optional paint and trim options, bringing the as-tested total to $64,550.
The compact luxury sports sedan segment is full of strong competitors, but the 2025 BMW 330i xDrive remains one of the most rewarding options for driving enthusiasts. Its ability to blend performance with everyday usability is a standout trait. The steering, chassis balance, and powertrain responsiveness continue to set the benchmark, while the tech and design updates further strengthen its appeal. For those who value driving engagement, this is still the sports sedan to beat.
