BMW 3 Series vs Volkswagen Golf R

To enjoy driving a new 3 Series, you don’t need to upgrade to the M340i or the M3, though we certainly wouldn’t discourage you if those models are within your budget. Instead, try the standard 330i with the M Sport Package. It’s surprisingly satisfying. Plus, minor updates and refinements make the 2025 3 Series better than ever. However, the plug-in hybrid powertrain is gone, so for that, you’ll need to find a leftover 2024.

Verdict: The 2025 BMW 3 Series isn’t perfect, but it’s perfectly enjoyable to drive. Also, for a car nearing the end of its current generation, it offers remarkably advanced technology. A redesign is coming soon, but the current version remains one of our favorites.

The 2025 Volkswagen Golf R is the hotter of VW’s two hot hatchbacks, boasting more power than its Golf GTI platform mate, plus a standard all-wheel-drive system (AWD), known as 4Motion, and a commensurately higher base price that puts it in the same competitive set as the Honda Civic Type R and Toyota GR Corolla. The current-generation Golf R was launched as a 2022 model but gains a handful of small updates for 2025, including a new touchscreen infotainment system and two new styling packages.

Verdict: It’s hard to fault the Golf R’s performance capabilities and everyday usability, but the same can be said of its GTI sibling.