The seventh-generation BMW 3 series is longer, wider and taller. Inside are tech features such as smartphone entry and an in-car assistant that learns drivers' routines. The 330i will use an updated version of BMW's 2.0-liter turbocharged four, which makes 255 hp, a 7-hp increase, and 295 pound-feet of torque.

The 3 series goes on sale in Europe and the U.S. in March. Here's some initial reaction from the automotive media.

"Horses will remain unstartled by the exterior design … which draws liberally from its larger siblings. The grille is wider and taller, and the headlights are bigger than before. … The side profile is nicely proportioned."

"The seventh generation seeks to regain the driving dynamics that made it a benchmark for sport sedans. The look hasn't changed much, but attention went into responsive steering, balance and a suspension with intelligent dampers and a limited-slip differential."

"The increased size isn't immediately obvious … . This four-door is still immediately identifiable as a 3 series but with some tweaks. The standard full-LED headlights are more angular and attach to a sharper take on the firm's kidney grille. The silhouette is the view that changes the least, but the hood appears a little more bulbous. New taillights stretch farther across the tail."

"Right off the bat we get a more aggressive front bumper and these staggered headlamps that give it a sharper overall appearance than the old car, as well as the bigger 5 and 7. Also the famed Hofmeister kink on the C-pillar is more angular than it's been in a while, a nice change."

"BMW says [it] reflects a new design language, but the car remains instantly familiar. Not as bland as the most recent 5 series and 7 series, the new 3 series has a bolder and more dynamic appearance than its larger siblings. If there's reason for a complaint, it's rooted in the huge kidney grilles, which scream 'I'm a BMW!' "