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13/08/2020
With the 3 Series, BMW have created an Estate that appeals to the masses - and pleases them too. Great handling, spacious interior and well performing engines make for a all-round performer. It's also had a bit of a face-lift. So let's see if the new Touring is just as good as the new 3 Series Saloon.
2020 BMW 3 Series Touring 320d
Engine: 2.0 Litre Diesel
Power: 190 Horsepower
0-62: 7.1 Seconds
Transmission: Automatic
Model Line: M Sport
Colour: Black Sapphire Metallic
Upholstery: Black Vernasca Leather with Grey Contrast Stitching
Wheels: 18" Bicolour Orbit Grey Double-spoke style 790 M light alloy wheels
Optional Extras: Premium Pack, Sun Protection Glass, Technology Pack and Comfort Pack
OTR Price: From £32,395
Price of model driven: £46,800
There are a huge selection of engine options available on the BMW 3 Series Touring. When it comes to diesels, there’s the 318d, 320d, 330d and M340d. If you’re after a Petrol, it’s either the 318i, 320i, 330i or 340i xDrive. There is also a Plug-in Hybrid in the 330e. However within this, there is a whole myriad of different variants that would take us the whole review to go through!
We drove the 320d, which is a 2-litre diesel that offers 190 horsepower and will go from 0-62 in just north of 7 seconds. The 320d also offers a claimed combined MPG of 53.3-56.5, and feels very at home cruising leisurely along the motorway.
There’s also that synonymous BMW steering: heavy but controlled and with an impressive amount of grip that allows you to really take corners well. This car feels like it’s not about to budge anytime soon. It’s certainly not the quickest of engines, but it has just the right amount of power for the everyday driver and if you do choose to put your foot down there’s more than enough oomph to get you going.
One of the most notable things about the 3 Series Touring is its imposing front grille and low, wide stance. The long bonnet curves into an angular front which is further accentuated by the ‘M’ Aerodynamic body-styling that is standard on M Sport Models and above. M Sport models also get a high-gloss shadowline trim and 18 inch double-spoke M Light bicolour alloy wheels (now that’s a tongue twister) which further add to that sleek yet aggressive profile.
Inside, the 3 Series has had a much needed upgrade, though is still not as flashy as the cabin in the Mercedes C-Class Estate. A large centre touchscreen is surrounded by an aluminium trim and placed upon a sloping angular dash. The inlays are similar to that in some of the Volvo's we’ve driven, but in my opinion these look to be of a slightly higher quality. Leather seats and an optional panoramic roof create a high quality and light interior.
The 3 Series has had a tech upgrade and I really like this new set up. There’s an 8.8 inch touchscreen as standard, which is upgraded to a 10.25 inch display on M Sport models and above. The touch screen is crystal clear, with bright graphics and a responsive screen.
You also have a choice of driving modes for a more economical or sporty drive depending on your mood. The car also features an abundance of features such as LED head and taillights, automatic wipers and headlights, active guard plus and parking assistant and reversing camera as standard. The latter of which make reversing this car an absolute a doddle.
In front of the driver there’s a massive 12.3 inch Digital Instrument Display (M Sport and above) which again, had remarkable clarity and displays all of the information you could want and more. This car also had the optional heads-up display, which projects your speed on to the windscreen in front of you to minimise distraction. It’ll also flash red when you’re speeding, and show navigation prompts and media.
There’s multiple ways to control the BMW’s infotainment system: with simple voice commands, touchscreen or via the rotary dial. This iDrive controller is my preference, as it's really easy to use whilst driving. The entire centre console is angled nicely so that it’s easier for the driver to see whilst on the road. A contrast to the X1 we drove recently in which I felt it was difficult to operate and still concentrate on driving.
The BMW 3 Series Touring excels when it comes to usable space and practicality. The car might look big, but it certainly doesn’t feel too big to drive, and it offers comfort and a great amount of usable storage space. Upfront this car gets leather sports seats (M Sport and above) with adjustable lumbar support and a memory function (part of the Premium Package). There’s also no fewer than eight cup holders inside the cabin (four in the front, four in the back) as well as three-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
In the rear there are three seats that would be fairly practical for three adults with a decent amount of head and leg room. Keep it to two passengers in the back and they’re going to be more than comfortable… especially with the centre armrest down. The seats are comfortable and provide a lot of support under the knees, which is a great thing for longer journeys.
There’s also two Isofix points on the two rear outer seats with those great big flip openings which make them easy to use (and difficult to lose!). The rear windows are a good size, making for a nice amount of light but also aiding visibility for the driver.
Boot space is one of the best in its class, bigger than both the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Audi A4 Avant. If you’re looking for a big boot space, but a more affordable car we’d recommend the Skoda Octavia, which has a massive 600 litre boot capacity. All 3 Series Touring models get an automatic tailgate as standard, which is a great bonus.
There is 2 sections of underfloor storage, nets, hooks and a 12v socket as well as anti-slip rails (part of Luggage Compartment Package) on the boot floor to stop your cargo or luggage rolling about. To extend the boot capacity, the rear seats (split in a 40:20:40 configuration) go down at the push of a button in the boot. This is handy if you want quick access and a level load bay (as there’s no real load lip). However, those seats aren’t half heavy when you have to manually push them back up!
SE
Sport (In addition / replacement to SE models)
M Sport (In addition / replacement to SE models)
M Sport Pro Edition
M340i/d xDrive (In addition / replacement to M Sport models)
Going through footage of our test drive, there is always a point where I try to run through any negatives for the car. And what followed in this case was a very lengthy pause. Because in all honesty I struggled to think of any. The seats could be a little bit comfier, and I maybe I’d like a bit more power. But that’s it. And that’s me being picky. The truth is, I think the 3 Series Touring is a fantastic car. It’s a good all-rounder and it will work for so many different people, and I’d love to drive one every day.
