BMW 328d review

Even with its 240-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine, the BMW 328i delivers surprisingly frugal fuel economy. The 28 mpg overall we mea­sured is among the best in its class. For 2014, though, BMW bolted in a new 180-hp, 2.0-liter turbodiesel, changed the "i" to "d," and left that gas-mileage figure in the dust.

The 35 mpg we averaged in the 328d, even with all-wheel drive, is terrific. In this class, that's eclipsed only by the 40 mpg of the Lexus CT 200h hybrid, which doesn't come close to the 3 Series in luxury and sportiness. And the 328d's 49 mpg highway mileage gives the car a driving range of 735 uninterrupted miles.

Trade-offs? The 328d's acceleration isn't exactly speedy; its 8.5-second 0-to-60 mph time is more than 2 seconds slower than the 328i's. But with 280 lb.-ft. of torque on tap, the diesel packs a nice punch for merging or passing. With some diesel clatter, the 328d is a little noisier than the 328i, but we didn't find it offensive.

As with other modern diesels, you need to periodically add a urea-based diesel exhaust fluid for the car to remain emissions-compliant. BMW covers that, free, for the first four years or 50,000 miles of ownership. Otherwise, DEF is readily available at auto-parts stores.

The diesel engine is matched with the same smooth and seamless eight-speed automatic transmission used in the 328i. No stick shift is available, however.

The ride is firm yet supple and composed. Handling is agile, making the car enjoy­-able to drive. The cabin is quiet, and inter­-ior fit and finish is impressive. The firmly padded front seats are comfortable and supportive, even for the long haul.

Gripes? The rear seat has received a little more breathing room over the years, but it's still tight. Some controls remain needlessly complicated. Many functions are managed through the iDrive controller, a knob on the center console that lets you make selections on a big, bright center dashboard screen with large, easy-to-read fonts. But it takes some practice.

As with other 3 Series models, the 328d is an excellent car that boasts high quality, attention to detail, and a long list of high-tech features. Sure, the 3 Series is a bit less engaging to drive than it used to be, but it still delivers a very satisfying and balanced overall driving experience.

The 328d comes equipped with run-flat tires, so there is no spare.

Best version to get. Most BMWs come with the Premium package. Adding more options, however, causes the price to climb quickly. Getting blind-spot monitoring requires at least $5,000 in options. Wow! Still, we'd also get the backup camera, included in an expensive $950 Driver Assistance package. And if it snows where you live, you'll probably want the $2,000 xDrive all-wheel drive and the $950 Cold Weather package.