BMW has always been known for making some of the most premium and sport-savvy luxury sedans and SUVs on the market. However, the German automaker has had a heavy hand in hybrid powertrains over the past few years.

Don’t get it twisted; BMW hasn’t been churning out Prius lookalikes. Instead, it has been hybridizing the popular 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, and X5 platforms to provide buyers with fuel-efficient alternatives. But which BMW hybrid is the cheapest?

The cheapest BMW hybrid car is one of its most popular platforms

The cheapest BMW hybrid car that you’ll find in the lineup for 2023 is the 330e sedan. This compact luxury car carries a starting MSRP of $44,295, which is only $1,000 more than the entry-level gas-powered 330i.

For the price of entry, the 2023 BMW 330e comes standard with a new curved display and 5G technology. According to Kelley Blue Book, some of the other notable standard features include a set of 18-inch alloy wheels, full LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, heated side mirrors, simulated leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a tri-zone climate control, and power-adjustable front seats.

Yes, that’s a lot of stuff for the money. It doesn’t even include the multi-colored ambient LED lightning and panoramic moonroof, both of which are standard as well. Apple Carplay and Android Auto are also included, as is a 10-speaker audio system.

But the real story here is what lies under the hood.

What is the 2023 BMW 330e powered by?

The 2023 BMW 330e is a plug-in hybrid that’s powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, just like its 330i stablemate. However, the plug-in part of the equation comes via an electric motor that’s powered by a lithium-ion battery pack.

Altogether, this fuel-efficient and potent powerplant puts out 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. That’s a lot of power for a small car, but what’s more impressive is the 23 miles of all-electric range that the 330e is capable of achieving. Sure, that may not sound like much, but if you live close to work or only need to run a few errands, you can possibly make the commute without using a drop of gas.

Additionally, the 2023 BMW 330e comes in either a rear-drive or all-wheel drive configuration, which is designated the BMW 330e xDrive.

What kind of fuel efficiency does the 2023 330e get?

According to the EPA, the 2023 BMW 330e can achieve up to 28 mpg/75 MPGe in combined driving in its rear-wheel-drive form after the 23 miles of electric range is used up. The AWD configuration will see a 3 mpg deficit, or 25 mpg combined/67MPGe, when the 20 miles of all-electric range is used up.

We know that you might think that it’s not a lot of range – especially since the fuel efficiency figures on the gas-only 330i are similar. However, keep in mind that the plug-in BMW 330 model is only $1,000 more, and it could qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $5,836.

All things considered, that makes it more affordable and more powerful than its gas-only counterpart. And for all of the panache and luxurious amenities you get with BMW’s most affordable hybrid sedan, that price is tough to beat.