2012 BMW 3 Series 335is

The 2012 3 Series is BMW's compact sports sedan, offered in sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible body styles. It's the benchmark for how a compact luxury car should drive, with sharp steering and a balanced chassis. The ride is firm but controlled, so you feel the road more than in a Lexus, but that's the trade for its agility. Inside, the cabin is driver-focused with high-quality materials, though rear legroom is a bit tight in the coupe and convertible. The 335is convertible gives up the hardtop coupe's rigidity for open-air driving, but it's the most powerful drop-top in the 3 Series lineup short of the M3. Its 3.0L I6 makes 320 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, routed through a six-speed manual to the rear-wheel drive, and returns 21 mpg combined. The convertible's power-operated soft top folds in about 20 seconds, and the extra weight over the coupe is noticeable in quick transitions.