Most reviews of the BMW 3 Series include two things: a reference by the reviewer to the car being the most desirable in its class, and comments from readers that BMW must be paying auto writers for so many unanimously positive opinions of the car.

BMW must be paying 3 Series buyers too, then, because the car is perennially a strong seller in Canada. In 2010, 14,009 Canadians bought 3 Series', which made it the most popular luxury car and put it in the same league, sales-wise, as the Honda Accord (14,659 sales in 2010) and the Chevrolet Malibu (13,092 sales).

For 2006, BMW introduced the fifth generation (E90, for those who follow BMW's model codes, references the sedan, while the wagon, coupe and convertible are known as the E91, E92 and E93, respectively) of its most popular model, wearing controversial styling that many thought would allow a car like the Infiniti G35 - a car that comes close to matching the 3 Series' excellent driving characteristics - to overtake it in the sales race. In retrospect - yeah, right.

2006 BMW 325xi Touring (top); 2009 BMW 328i xDrive.

The E90 3 Series arrived in sedan and wagon (Touring) variants for its first year, available as the 323i, 325i and 330i in the sedan. The 323i used a 2.5-litre engine making 174 horsepower, while the 325i and 330i shared a 3.0-litre motor tuned for 215 hp in the 325i and 255 hp in the 330i.

The 325xi and 330xi were all-wheel drive models; the wagon was sold only in 325xi form. Coupe, convertible and the high-po M3 were carried over from 2005.

The 2007 line-up got new names and restyled coupe and convertible models. The 323i's 2.5-litre engine now made 200 hp, while the newly-named 328i got a 230-hp 3.0-litre engine and the 335i used a new turbocharged motor with 300 hp. For this year, just the 328i could be optioned with all-wheel drive (again, this is the only way the wagon was offered); the coupe was available in 328i (RWD or AWD) or 335i versions, and the convertible ? with its all-new folding hardtop ? was sold as the 328i and 335i, but in RWD only.

In 2008, BMW added an AWD option to the 335i model, in sedan or coupe form. All 2006 through 2008 3 Series models came standard with a six-speed manual transmission that could be optioned to a six-speed automatic. The M3 made its triumphant return to the 3 Series line, complete with a 414-hp V8 in place of the old version's in-line six; a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission was the option to the standard                                                                             six-speed manual.

New in 2009 was the 335d with its smooth, torque-rich diesel engine. It was offered only with a six-speed automatic. In addition, BMW dropped the "x" from AWD variants' names, instead dubbing these cars 328i/335i xDrive.

Changes for 2010 were mostly in trim, with most models getting additional standard equipment: 17-inch wheels on the 328i, and sport suspension and heated steering wheel were added to the 335i, for examples.

2007 BMW 3 Series cabriolet (top), by Paul Williams; 2008 BMW M3, by Grant Yoxon.

In 2011, coupe and convertible models got a styling update, while the 335i got a new turbocharged engine (power output was unchanged) and a 335is trim was added to the coupe and convertible, and included an uprated version of the new turbo motor, with 320 hp. These cars also got a great-sounding sport exhaust system, aerodynamics package and interior trim upgrades.

Despite the rather extensive range of engines offered in the 3 Series, few offer any significant fuel economy advantages. Aside from the M3, gas-powered 3 Series' Natural Resources Canada consumption ratings are in a range from 11 to 12.5 L/100 km in city driving, and 6.7 to 8 L/100 km in the highway cycle; generally, the bigger engines use more fuel, as do all-wheel drive cars. The M3 is rated 15.3/9.7 (city/highway) with a stickshift, and changes little with the dual-clutch option. Going diesel in a 2009 or newer model gets you the best ratings, at 9.0/5.4 L/100 km, which puts the 335d in the same league as a four-cylinder family sedan, but with way more power.

Consumer Reports (CR) pegs the E92 3 Series' reliability anywhere from "much worse than average" to "better than average," a variance that can be attributed to the car's wide range of powertrain options.