Sporty estate gets a mid-life update to up its game in the face of newer competition On sale Now Price from £41,000
Max Adams Max.Adams@haymarket.com
EXECUTIVE ESTATE CARS aren’t necessarily all about carrying vast amounts of luggage, but they offer flexibility when it’s needed. The BMW 3 Series Touring is a case in point: it provides the same sporty driving experience as its saloon sibling, but your dog can ride along in the boot.
The 3 Series has just come back from a facelift, as its gently tweaked lights and front grille attest. There haven’t been any mechanical changes, though, and while this isn’t a problem for the petrol or diesel engines, the 330e plug-in hybrid (PHEV) we’re testing has fallen behind the times.
It’s still brisk enough, with a 0-62mph time of 5.9sec, but its official electric range of 35 miles (expect mid-20s in the real world) is soundly beaten by the 55-mile Volvo V60 Recharge T6 and the 66 miles of the Mercedes-Benz C300e. As a result, those rival PHEVs attract a lower, 8% tax rate for company car drivers, while the 330e is stuck in the costlier 12% band.
At least the 3 Series Touring remains far sharper to drive than its rivals, maintaining a firm grasp on body movements in corners. It also has highly accurate steering and huge reserves of grip. The cost, though, is a firm ride. The optional M Sport Pro Pack, with its adaptive suspension, helps slacken things off on uneven roads, but even in the softest Comfort setting, the 3 Series Touring still transmits more of the in
