A quick appraisal of the 2020 BMW 3 Series Touring
As you may imagine the BMW 3 Series Touring is very similar to the saloon version but brings a whole load more practicality. The load-lugging version of the 3 Series compact executive saloons have been around for over three decades. Each generation have increased in size while offering more power, improved efficiency and more advanced technology. However, how does the 2020 version stack up against the current onslaught of SUVs?
The 2020 Touring’s design is very much an evolution of the old cars. It’s still instantly recognisable as a 3 Series although it’s now equipped with a larger and more aggressive looking kidney grille which is flanked by intricate looking LED headlights. Around at the back the car looks wider thanks to the narrow rear lights that extend from the rear quarter to the tailgate. What this car lacks though is a bit of pizzazz. It looks more like it’s had an expensive facelift of what was before rather than a totally new design. It’s a conservative approach based on the existing design language that’s proven controversial on models across the BMW range.
Step into the 3 Series an you’ll notice plenty of high-tech features. Kicking you off is BMW’s Live Cockpit Plus system which gives you a 10.25 inch infotainment screen and a 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster. Every aspect of the dashboard is focussed on the driver with a logical layout ensuring that everything is within easy reach. Add to this state of the art technology such as Personal Driving Assistant, gesture control for music functions and a raft of safety tech including autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning and you have one of the most advanced cars in its class.
The 2020 BMW 3 Series Touring gets a longer wheelbase that creates extra leg room and head room for even the tallest of passengers. In the back there’s enough space to line up three child seats across the bench. Meanwhile drivers will love the wealth of adjustment in the front seats that make it just so easy to get comfortable. You also get 500 litres of boot space with easier access thanks to a wider and flatter loading lip. There’s also clever touches such as the opening tailgate window which can be operated by the key fob to make quick access a breeze.
Like all 3 Series models the Touring maintains its reputation as a driver’s estate car and boasts agility that’s lacking in many rivals. Even when the suspension is in its softest setting the car remains composed and comfortable with sharp steering that contributes to making it one of the best driving 5-seater cars on the market. Cars fitted with the even cleverer adaptive suspension system get an added dimension with the ability to switch between modes to suit the driving conditions.
Every 3 Series offers a decent turn of pace. Even the entry level 318i takes just 8.7 seconds to get to 62 miles per hour (mph) from standing. The 320d is also positively lively covering the same dash in a brisk 7.1 seconds. In the high echelons of the range the 369 brake horse power (bhp) M340i X Drive really does put an array of sports cars to shame covering 0 to 62 mph in just 4.5 seconds. Coupled with those excellent driving dynamics and it all goes to make time spent at the wheel of any 3 Series a real pleasure.
We’ve already stated that the 3 Series is one of the best driver’s car around so the lack of a manual gearbox in the 3 Series Touring line-up is a sizeable omission. Ok, the 8=speed automatic gearbox does give you rapid-fire gear changes when you want them and is beautifully smoother at lower speeds but it just can’t match the involvement of a proper manual gearbox.
So there you have it, a quick appraisal of the 2020 BMW 3 Series Touring. We can confirm that it’s one of the most capable estate cars in the class. It continues to provide a driving experience that rivals struggle to match. The wide array of excellent engines means it’s a machine that ticks all the boxes that matter the most for estate car buyers. If you feel it’s a car that ticks all the boxes for you then make sure you head to DesperateSeller.co.uk where we have an excellent selection of used BMW 3 Series Touring cars for sale.
