BMW Active Hybrid 3 Review: Life's wonder

What we like:

Only one in its segment

ghastily fast

more economical than a 335i.

What we dislike:

Hard to "take it easy" with all that power and handling capabilities.

Handling wise, the ActiveHybrid is one heck of a satisfying hybrid to exploit. Steering response is brilliant, with the car pointing exactly where you’re shooting at. Body-roll is well under control, and there’s proper balance between the front and rear even as you drive it hard down a series of bends. The weight difference between this car and the 335i is a significant 135 kg, but frankly speaking, the ActiveHybrid 3 seems to be the better handler.

Deserving praises are the anchors. They’re strong and assuring, and for most times, don’t feel as though they’re fading under hard braking.

The BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is yours for a rather hefty $308k, some $12k more than the 335i. But with the CEV (Carbon-based Emission Vehicle Scheme) kicking in, the ActiveHybrid 3’s emission of 139 g/km qualifies it for a $10k government rebate.

So if all you want to do is be different than the crowd, the ActiveHybrid 3 should be right up your alley – because it’s cool and changes the notion that hybrids are oh-so-boring; it’s fast, powerful, has a rather interesting and well-equipped cabin and lest not forget that it handles very well for a hybrid. The slightly better – than a 335i’s - fuel economy is just a bonus.

Credits: Story and photos by Azfar Hashim