If a full battery EV is too scary (or impractical) for you, and internal combustion is too philosophically filthy, then maybe the BMW 330 e plug-in hybrid can bridge the gap.

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This car is interesting, because it will function as a battery-only EV that you plug in overnight, and it’ll run you around town, mostly on battery, for short distance commutes. And then, if you want to drive from Sydney to Brisbane, or something, no logistic planning is required. Just run it all the way on petrol.  

It’s a plug-in hybrid, as opposed to a Toyota-style regen-only hybrid. 

But what does that even mean, really?  

I spent a week in the 330 e, and I mainly drove it around town - got out on the highway a couple of times. Plugged it in at home, a few times. So, dynamics, comfort, luxury - it’s very good.   

Very driver focussed. Excellent rear-drive dynamics package, great steering and ride. Bit of a learning curve, if you’re new to the latest iteration of BMW user interface, but ultimately very configurable, and you can store your preferences in your key, which is great.   

Ergonomics are stellar with this car - nice fat wheel, excellent shifter operation (again: learning curve). Impossibly comfortable and supportive seats. List goes on.  

3 Series is kinda bigger than a small car, and smaller than a big car. Family friendly - but the boot’s a bit small for two young kids.   

New instrument cluster - take it or leave it. It’s dripping in information and changes colour with the drive modes, and it even has a ‘minimalist’ mode you can invoke in the menus if you just want the basics. And you can project the nav between the speedo and the tacho.  

BMW is very serious about its ‘ultimate driving machine’ mantra, and they did not drop the ball with this one. One point of difference is that the 330e is made in Germany, versus in Mexico for the rest of the 3 Series range. (Except the M3 - it’s German-made, too.)