2021 (71) BMW 3 Series 320d MHT M Sport 5dr Step Auto

The seventh generation version of BMW's 3 Series Touring gets a further package of useful updates. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

The improved version of the seventh generation BMW's 3 Series Touring holds no great surprises to those who understand the narrative of this model. It's not the most accomplished load lugger in its class but it's the best drive and offers the most efficiency. That'll be enough to clinch the deal for most who just hanker after a 3 Series with a bit more versatility. In this further enhanced form, it's smarter and gets an even more sophisticated cabin. Diesel's been dropped but the 330e PHEV version gets a much larger 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

Conventional wisdom dictates that estate cars are designed for people who can't fit all the paraphernalia of modern life inside a conventional saloon or hatchback model. You'd certainly imagine that an estate would require a lot more space than the saloon on which it is based in order to justify its own existence but, particularly in the compact executive sector where BMW's 3 Series Touring competes, it isn't always that straightforward. It might be a surprise for some people to learn that many mid-sized executive estate cars are only fractionally roomier than their saloon equivalents - and some even have less space out back. Estate buyers in this sector are typically also asked to pay around £2,000 more for the privilege over the cost of the alternative saloon. That's extra money for extra space. How much extra space in this case? With the rear seats in place, just 20-litres over the saloon. You don't, in other words, buy this car for its luggage cramming talents. You buy it because you want the capability in hand and also because it's a little more 'lifestyle' and a little less 'field sales' than the standard 3 Series saloon.

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 G21-era Touring design are with the 330e Plug-in Hybrid. This now gets a bigger 19.5kWh battery, which allows for a considerably longer 61 mile electric driving range. That means a suburban driver really could start to use their 330e Touring 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 6.0s en route to 142mph. 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 7.6s en route to 142mph. 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 4.6s on the way to a top speed limited to 155mph. The road-burning M3 Competition Touring still tops the range of course, now with mandatory xDrive and a 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

It won't surprise you to learn that from the front bumper to the B-pillar, the 3 Series Touring is identical to the saloon model. Compared to the old pre-2018 F31-series Touring model, this seventh generation G21-series version grew by 76mm to 4,709mm in length, by 16mm to 1,827mm in width and by 11mm to 1,440mm in height. So it's usefully more spacious - and with the facelift updates, the revised model is slightly better looking too. Visual changes to this body style as part of this second G21-era 3 Series Touring 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 500-litre boot (20-litres more than the Saloon), though that falls to just 410-litres with the 330e PHEV), which you can of course extend by folding the 40:20:40-split seat backs forward. That frees up 1,500-litres with the conventionally-engined models. It's 1,420-litres with the 330e.

Market and Model

The mainstream 3 Series Touring range mainly occupies the £41,000 to £48,000 bracket; there's an £1,800 premium over the saloon. 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 41.5mpg (2mpg less than the saloon) and up to 153g/km of CO2 (5g/km worse). If you want to do better, the improved 330e petrol/electric Plug-in hybrid can now deliver up to 313.9mpg on the combined cycle and a CO2 return of as little as 23g/km, which keeps the car in the 8% Benefit-in-Kind tax bracket. The new 61 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 34.9mpg and 182g/km, helped by its 48V mild hybrid system. The M3 Competition xDrive manages only up to 27.4mpg and 233g/km in Touring 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

This 3 Series station wagon has long been one of the quiet achievers in BMW's model range. There's a reason for that. Look behind the low-key styling and you find a car that does so much so well. This improved model has become 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. True, this car still isn't vastly practical, but the changes BMW made to the cargo area when this G21-series model was first launched have had more of a real word impact than the stats suggest. And pragmatic estate buyers will appreciate the fact that this car is the most efficient choice you can make in the premium part of the mid-sized estate sector. A lot to like them, which is just as well given the premium prices being asked. Still, if you're shopping in this sector, we think you'll find this contender even more difficult to ignore.