The 325i is the cheapest car in BMW's redesigned- for-2006 3-Series lineup. The car that it replaced had best-in-class handling, with brilliantly precise steering and exceptional agility and control, but lacked the power and interior space to be truly worth its substantial price premium. This new car largely corrects these flaws; while the new 325i does not rival the V8 Chrysler 300C for its acceleration nor outdo a Toyota Avalon for its interior space, it is no longer inferior to most like-priced rivals in either area. Granted, the price also increased at this redesign, but the new 325i represents a much more convincing trade for $34,457 than the older version.

        The 325i has a firm, though very comfortable and absorbent ride, though it cannot beat the more comfort-oriented cars in this group in that area. But it can easily beat those vehicles, and everything else in this class, in its handling capabilities. With sports car responses, and quick, precise, perfectly-weighted steering providing excellent feedback even on the base version, drivers are reminded why BMWs can fetch such ambitious prices. The 2006 325i now shares its 3.0-liter I6 with the higher-end 330i, though it is down 40 horsepower from that version. That engine handily eliminated one of the previous car's biggest flaws, giving the new 325i competitive (if not class-leading) acceleration, and delivering it with remarkable smoothness. Road noise is well-suppressed, though wind noise is audible at highway speeds. Fuel economy is reasonable, especially considering the car's acceleration.

      Inside, the front seats are very supportive and comfortable overall, though a bit firm. Headroom is a bit tight under the standard sunroof, but there is adequate legroom. The rear seat is nicely shaped, but it lacks head, leg, and toe space, and is a bit firm. However, the seating accommodations represent a significant upgrade over the previous 3-Series, and are finally at least competitive with other cars here (and beat the car's German competitors). The interior is constructed from high-quality materials, and all trim pieces fit together well, but the 325i lacks the opulence found in some competing models. The standard vinyl "leatherette" seating surface feels nicer than some competitors' genuine leather. The gauges are clear, but some instruments are annoying to use. BMW's controversial "iDrive" instrument setup, which replaces several dash buttons with a single rotary knob, is available on the 3-Series only with the navigation system, a blessing not given to buyers of the higher-priced 5-Series and 7-Series sedans. Drivers sit comfortably, but have their visibility obstructed by thick roof pillars. Entry/exit is complicated by doors that don't open wide enough, fairly low seats, and narrow footwells. The trunk is small, but has a useful shape and a large opening.

          The 2006 3-Series has not been crash tested by either the IIHS or NHTSA.

        The 325i reviewed here was quite expensive for this group, and did not come well-equipped. The newly-standard sunroof is a nice feature, as it would cost over $1,000 as an option, thanks to BMW's traditionally expensive options. Power seats with memory, satellite radio hardware, rear park control, heated front seats, and an automatic transmission boosted the car's MSRP by over $4,000, and it still lacked a 6-disc CD changer and a few other niceties.

       Overall, the 325i is an excellent vehicle, featuring sports-car handling that is far above the other cars in this class without sacrificing ride comfort, as well as reasonable acceleration and interior space. But the cost is clear; while tradeoffs are no longer required from the car itself, they appear in the car's unimpressive amount of equipment for the money. Consumers who can truly appreciate the car's abilities need to give it the long look it deserves. But those who cannot, probably most consumers shopping in this class, would be wasting their money, and would be better-served by one of the car's many less-expensive imitators.

Pros:

-Agility

-Ride Comfort

-Front Seat Comfort

-Interior Quality

-Acceleration

Cons:

-Features for the Money

-Rear Seat Space

-Trunk Volume

Overall:

An exceptional sports sedan for those willing to pay for it.

Version Reviewed:

NA

Price of Version Reviewed:

$34,457

Powertrain:

3.0-liter I6