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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | PHEV |
| Base Price | $40,131–$46,642 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2021 BMW 3 Series (330e) at 7.5/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this phev. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.3/10, while Reliability at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.5/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 8.3/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 8.0/10. The BMW 3 Series (330e) delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. The cabin tech earns 8.3/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $40,131–$46,642, 72 MPG, seating 5, the BMW 3 Series (330e) sits in the mid-market bracket of the phev segment. The 7.1/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2021 BMW 3 Series (330e) is a solid, well-rounded phev that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is reliability — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 BMW 3 Series (330e) ranks #16 of 40 phevs in the Carivo database — better than 63% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $40,131 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $43,041 by about 7%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full PHEV ranking →
Across the 3 Series (330e) model years we've scored, the 2021 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.7/10 | $45,423 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $44,100 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.7/10 | $42,777 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $41,454 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $40,131 | |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $38,808 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of BMW models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.