BMW 3 Series Touring 2021 Review - A Fantastic Estate Car

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The sophisticated sixth generation 'G20' generation version of 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.
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 £1,300 more for the privilege. That's extra money for extra space. How much extra space? 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
The well-versed themes of the 3 Series are present and correct in this sixth generation Touring model. It's still rear wheel drive of course - though xDrive 4WD is, as before, as option. Upgraded four-cylinder engines from BMW's Efficient Dynamics family are used across the powerplant range, which kicks off with the 156hp 318i and the 184hp 320i. The 320i's same engine's is also used in the 330e plug-in hybrid model. The other mainstream petrol engine available is the 258hp unit in the 330i. If you want six cylinders, you'll need the 374hp engine of the rare M340i. Diesel drivers can start their perusals with the 150hp 318d, before going on to consider the 190hp 320d derivative that most choose. This mid-range diesel model generates 400Nm of torque which enables a 0-62mph sprint time of 7.5s (or just 7.1s for the auto). Next in the diesel line-up is the 265hp 330d and at the top of the diesel range is the 347hp M340d. The brand's xDrive 4WD system is optional on the 320i, the 320d and the 330d. And you have to have it on the M340i and the M340d.
A new generation six-speed manual gearbox is available - though only on the base 318d diesel variant. Otherwise, your 3 Series will come with eight-speed Steptronic auto transmission. The handling promises to be even sharper thanks to a wider track, and a chassis that's up to 50% stiffer in some areas and which features special lift-related dampers. A 55kg weight reduction this time round also helps. Adaptive M suspension can be specified on 'M Sport' models. And 330i and 330d buyers will be offered an M Sport differential for the rear axle which helps to enhance traction, agility and cornering.
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. This version of this estate variant has larger exterior dimensions than its predecessor. It has grown by 76mm to 4,709mm in length, by 16mm to 1,827mm in width and by 11mm to 1,440mm in height. The wheelbase has also been extended by 41mm to 2,851mm, plus 43mm has been added to the front track (1,587 mm) and 21mm to the rear track (1,604mm).
You'll want to know about the boot, accessed via a standard powered tailgate. It's 500-litres inside (5-litres bigger than the previous generation Touring model and 20-litres bigger than the boot of a current 'G20'-generation 3 Series saloon model. The capacity falls a bit with the 330e PHEV variant due to the battery placement beneath the floor.
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#BMW3SeriesTouring #EstateCar #OSV

[@MrSunnyBhoy]

I'm beginning to see estates as the best all round car. Apart from blasting down a b road (most estates aren't) they are brilliant at everything and so much better than SUV's. This one is a sweet thing.

[@xxxyyyzzzzzzzzzz]

Double clutchin' round town Man

[@oddities-whatnot]

Im hoping estates make a comeback. Some have looked fantastic through the years and I still think the Outback is the best looking and most practical car in Subarus lineup.

[@yes8032]

This wagon is such great I really couldn’t choose between a A4 avant or this

[@MrSunnyBhoy]

This looks better

[@91alyh]

Just so you know the boot capacity is measured at the boot cover not at the roof, that's why is not a significant difference, when in reality it IS a lot bigger

[@coyote6154]

2:38 - 1.5L 3 cylinder power plant for the 318i ?! No, definitely not anymore. It used to be in the previous generation of 3 series. But now it is a B48, 2L 4 cylinders. In fact, it's exactly the one from the 320i, but "electronically" detuned.
To be even more precise, as long as you stay under 4000 rpm, you have no way of telling if you are driving a 320i or a 318i. You only really feel the missing 28hp when you floor the 318i.
Great review otherwise!

[@jumaone2928]

I love your professional way of explaining,❤,I like that car

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Very kind of you to say! If you're interested in the BMW 3 Series, one of our Vehicle Specialists can get you behind the wheel of this BMW 👍 Fill-in this quick form, and we'll get in touch: bit.ly/39YHCml

[@rafalkleczek8752]

Great car. Good comment. Many thx

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Our pleasure, Rafal. Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@maxmorris4562]

Cool car

[@cestrian5294]

It would help people, and especially me as I have dodgy ankles, if you could comment on the pedal placement. I find all Audi’s to be un-drivable as the pedals are so far to the right.

[@rrowicki9442]

Good car and review 👍

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Many thanks for watching! Subscribe for the latest in-depth reviews: bit.ly/319ZKoT

[@WillG42]

Always appreciate these reviews but faaarrrrr too many numbers!

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Hi Will, thanks for watching and we appreciate the feedback! Will take this on-board for future videos 👍

[@chakatrain]

Wish we could buy one in the US.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Fingers crossed you'll be able to at some point, Eric 🤞

[@NJ-dy4zl]

Unfortunately we won’t, BMW discontinued wagons in the US a few years ago, the biggest bummer for me as that was going to be my next car.

[@CaptChaos1964]

I really want one, but my wife is obsessed with bloody SUVs, she says this is too low down, I might just get one anyway.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

We'd be happy to help find a car both you and your wife like! 😅👍 Get in touch with our team today on 01903 538835 and we'll start exploring your options!

[@NJ-dy4zl]

BMW discontinued all 3-series wagons in the US a few years ago. The US never gets the good models available in other countries, wagons don’t sell here because everyone wants SUV’s is there reasoning. Manual transmissions have been killed off and pretty soon gas cars will no longer be sold.

[@Dashi18n]

I have a 3 series touring here in the US and even with it being 10 years old now, people seem to want to get one. I think if BMW properly marketed them here in the US they could make some good money from those models

[@ligapersada4793]

cost like 80k pounds in Indonesia smh

[@darrenjohngough]

Does my 80kg dog fit in the boot? Doesn’t look that big.

[@KiwiGraggle]

My Subaru Legacy Gtb estate is better than the lot of them.
Not only is it quick, it sounds good, is well built, virtually nothing goes wrong with it and it has a bonnet scoop just to show who the estate boss really is.
This BMW cannot do what my Subaru can, even if my Scubie is 07, it is JDM, just 40000 miles and rare.
Beat that annoying 330i. Audi Allroad matches for offroad, but on road, again lacking.
So when I compare, and I have owned a fair few bigger engines BMWs and overall, it dont match up to the older vehicles in many ways. Mine is also used for dog and leaving 335ds and the others viewing the exhaust when needed. I dont drive quick, but sometimes, BMWs in specific constantly get embarrassed by the Scubie.

[@nashwan888]

5 series much nicer, presenter dull, need a nice women to liven it up or carwow presenter the best around.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thank you for your feedback. We're always looking for ways to improve our content 👍

[@oddities-whatnot]

This is a mature car review channel akin to the old Top Gear in its early years. Your comment speaks volumes. You sound young, this channel is not for you. Carwow is for young people, its a childish channel.

[@alanpayne7656]

This is a most pointless and useless comment. What is wrong with people?

[@onelean5935]

Then go watch carwow