2021 BMW 3 Series 318d MHT M Sport 4dr Step Auto

The seventh generation BMW 3 Series gets more appealing in this enhanced form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

The BMW 3 Series has ruled the compact part of the mid-sized executive segment for more than forty years and the company's hopes are high for this further improved version of the 'G20' seventh generation design. It's smarter and gets an even more sophisticated cabin. Diesel's been dropped but the 330e PHEV gets a much bigger battery. And there's a big step forward in media connectivity. All the things you'd expect from a facelift really. Something else you'd expect from this model is rear wheel drive handling purity. It doesn't disappoint in that regard either.

Background

The BMW 3 Series has had an unparalleled reputation both for its quality and supreme handling in the premium mid-size segment for more than 40 years. When this the seventh generation 'G20'-series model arrived back in 2018, it raised the bar even higher. But then during Covid, we got an all-new version of this car's arch-rival, the Mercedes C-Class, which prompted a mid-term G20 update. In mid-2024, this segment of the market changed again with the introduction of Audi's A4-replacing new A5. And again, BMW responded with a G20 model update, which is what we look at here. The 3 Series is regarded as the heartbeat of the brand and always has been since the first generation design was launched way back in 1975. Today, this model line accounts for 14% of BMW's global sales, so it could hardly be more important. These updates must sustain the car until it's replaced by an EV next-generation model with the brand's forthcoming 'Neue Klasse' architecture.

Driving Experience

Unlike Audi and Mercedes, BMW doesn't see diesels as part of its electrifed future. it does however, continue to put a lot of store in its PHEV technology, which is why the major changes with this second update to the G20-era design are with the 330e Plug-in Hybrid. This now gets a bigger 19.5kWh battery, which allows for a considerably longer 63 mile electric driving range. That means a suburban driver really could start to use their 330e much like an EV. The combined output of this powertrain's 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor now stands at 292hp (8hp more than before), facilitating a 62mph sprint time of 5.9s en route to 146mph. Otherwise, the only remaining mainstream engine you can have is the 184hp 2.0-litre petrol unit of the 320i which, like the 330e, is offered only in rear-driven form and makes 62mph in 7.4s en route to 146mph. If you want something more powerful, there's the M340i xDrive, which has AWD and a 3.0-litre petrol six cylinder unit developing 374hp and, thanks to 500Nm of torque, is good for 62mph in 4.4s on the way to a top speed limited to 155mph. The road-burning M3 Competition still tops the range of course, now with mandatory xDrive and an uprated 530hp version of the usual 3.0-litre twin turbo six cylinder engine. With mainstream models, BMW's tweaked the chassis to imptrove comfort. And has added stiffer mounting points for the rear dampers, faster, more responsive steering and an upgrade for the optional adaptive dampers. Otherwise, much is familiar here. All 3 Series models get the near perfect 50:50 weight distribution that has defined this model line to date: this updated seventh generation model doesn't deviate too far from that script. Still notable are the standard 'lift-related' dampers. These clever shock absorbers incorporate structures that provide extra damping at the extremes of wheel travel, allowing quite a firm sporting set-up to be adopted, but also one able to deliver a fluent ride over tarmac imperfections. Thanks to that, this car's able to combine a set-up for Silverstone with something that works equally well on the North Circular.

Design and Build

Visual changes to the Saloon and Touring body styles as part of this second G20-era 3 Series update are minimal: a more aerodynamic front bumper, more angular sills, fresh paint colours and, if you upgrade from the standard 17-inch alloy wheels, redesigned 19-inch alloy wheel rims. Inside, you might notice the redesigned steering wheel, the redesigned air vents along with the provision of fewer fascia buttons. And maybe also the smart 'cascade' interior lighting (adjustable for colour and brightness and able to indicate to the driver if they have an incoming 'phone call or have left a door open). Plus there's nicer Sensatec perforated fabric upholstery. The major cabin update here though, is the adoption of the brand's latest 'Operating System 8.5' software for the big 14.9-inch central touchscreen, which now controls all the climate functions and has a 'widget bar' that can be customised with the driver's favourite functions.There's also augmented reality for the navigation, 5G connectivity and a streamlined system to allow the car to connect to its MyBMW app. Plus, as with larger BMWs, you can now get the iDrive controller, the gear selector and the ignition button in 'Crafted Clarity' cut glass. As previously, there's a 12.3-inch instrument display. Otherwise, things are much as before. There's reasonably comfortable space for a couple of adults on the rear bench - it'd be a bit of a squash for three. Out back, there's a 480-litre boot in the Saloon (which falls to just 375-litres with the 330e PHEV), which you can extend by folding the seat backs forward. If you're going to be doing that very regularly though, then you're really a candidate for the alternative Touring estate version, which offers a 500-litre boot (410-litres with the 330e), extendable with seat folding to 1,500-litres.

Market and Model

When you pause to consider that one product line - the 3 Series saloon - accounts for fully a quarter of BMW's global sales, you begin to appreciate quite how much there is riding on this car. Pricing now starts at just over £39,000 for the 320i petrol. You'll need a budget of over £46,000 for the 330e PHEV petrol model and around £56,000 for the M340i xDrive. Across the range, there's the usual £1,800 premium if you want the Touring estate body style. As before, there are two trim levels, 'Sport' and 'M Sport' and all models now include the latest 'BMW Live Cockpit Plus' screen set-up, which includes cloud-based BMW Maps, over-the-air updates and an improved version of the brand's 'Intelligent Personal Assistant' voice control system. The company's 'Parking assistant' is now standard, steering you automatically into spaces. And you can upgrade it with Park View, Panorama View and 3D View functions. As part of this update, there are nine new paint finishes. And 'M Sport' customers are being offered a new range of 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design, giving their side view a more dynamic appearance. Customers can order these wheels in either a Jet Black finish or a bi-colour variant. There are new upholstery choices too. As an alternative to the black cloth seat surfaces fitted as standard in 'Sport' models, you can order sport seats in Sensatec perforated finish, available in Black, Tacora Red or Cognac. The optional Vernasca leather trim is now offered in four colour variants. On 'M Sport' models and the M340i, new 'M Performtex' upholstery is available. As for cabin trimming panels across the range, well 'Dark Graphite matt' interior fascia trim panels come as standard, while 'Fineline Light' open-pored and 'Grey Blue Ash' open-pored fine-wood trim can be ordered - or you can have a Carbon Fibre and Aluminium Rhombicle Anthracite-embellished cabin. Customers can now specify CraftedClarity glass applications, which gives the gear selector lever, BMW iDrive Controller and Start/Stop button a particular air of exclusivity, both visually and in how they feel to the touch. As for safety, well as before, optional across the range is the brand's 'Driving Assistant Professional' pack, which includes Active Cruise Control with a Stop&Go function. There's also a 'Steering and Lane Control Assistant', which helps the driver maintain their position on motorways where the lane narrows. The 'Active Navigation' function detects when a lane change for a motorway exit is required and prepares to steer the car into that lane. The system also comprises a 'Lane Keeping Assistant' with active side collision protection and an 'Evasion Assistant'.

Cost of Ownership

With the 320i, things are much as before. This base petrol variant manages up to 43.5mpg and up to 147g/km of CO2. If you want to do better, the improved 330e petrol/electric Plug-in hybrid can now deliver up to 353.1mpg on the combined cycle and a CO2 return of as little as 19g/km, which keeps the car in the 8% Benefit-in-Kind tax bracket. The new 63 mile EV range figure of the upgraded 19.5kWh battery (7.5kWh larger than before) is now just 8 miles short of the class-leading Mercedes C300e. That battery can be charged at speeds of up to 11kW for a recharge time of 2 hours and 15 minutes. If you don't care so much about efficiency, the straight six models beckon. the M340i xDrive manages up to 36.2mpg and 177g/km, helped by its 48V mild hybrid system. The M3 Competition xDrive manages only up to 28.0mpg and 227g/km in saloon form. What else? Well across the range, the Steptronic automatic transmission features a coasting mode so that when the driver lifts off the throttle at higher speeds, for example on a gentle downhill grade on the motorway, the engine is automatically decoupled from the powertrain. It then simply ticks over in neutral, which saves fuel and ensures there is no unwanted engine braking at high speed. An additional fuel-saving feature, which also improves driving comfort, is the Proactive Driving Assistant, which uses information from the navigation system to "anticipate" upcoming roundabouts, corners and junctions and select exactly the right time to change gear.

Summary

With this enhanced version of the seventh generation 3 Series, we've got the kind of car that BMW is best at making. We understand why the company has to make SUVs, People Carriers and Electric Vehicles, but it'll lose its soul if it ever stops making models like this one. Prior to the original launch of this 'G20'-series design back in 2018, previous 3 Series generations had dabbled with conformity, but this MK7 version has reasserted this Bavarian maker's dynamic dominance in the mid-sized sports saloon segment. No other rival serves up as deliciously rich a driving experience as this. This improved model is quite expensive, but thanks to the updated hi-tech cabin, at least you now feel you're getting a very complete benchmark-standard product for that not-inconsiderable outlay. You might rarely use the added dynamic dimension it has over its rivals, but it'll always be good to know you have it. Within its segment, it really is the 'Ultimate driving machine'. Over the years, the 3 Series has changed a lot about the way we buy cars in this class, continually forcing its rivals to play catch up. This one's no different. As you were, people.