10 Best Cars

With this award, the BMW 3-seres has been selected to our 10Best list for eight consecutive years. What makes this so remarkable is that this string of awards spans two generations of cars, from the E36 version, introduced in 1991, to the brand-new E46 incarnation shown here.

This latest 328 incorporates greater interior space and more lavish appointments, and a fully adjustable steering wheel. We welcome those improvements, but what's most important is that this newest 328 retains its sports-sedan soul.

Critical to this persona are compact dimensions that encourage the 328's eager and agile abilities. These are enhanced by a redesigned suspension that provides even more precise and immediate moves without compromising the ride. And for '99, the familiar 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine has been upgraded with infinitely variable timing on both the intake and exhaust valves for an even broader spread of power and torque.

The current M3, which carries on with the older E36 chassis for another year or so, remains one of our favorites because it takes the 328's recipe of practicality and responsiveness to an even higher level of performance. Together, these up-level 3-series models remain the definitive sports sedans.

Vehicle type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 2- or 4-door sedan

Base price: $33,970-$40,526