Why Lease The 3 Series Touring?
by: Alex BradleyAlex Bradley is a skilled writer and digital content specialist focusing on automotive and sports. He has a degree in Multimedia Journalism and previously worked for The Northern Quota as Head Sports Editor.
BMW 3 Series Touring Review 2022
The BMW 3 Series Touring is a sporty estate car that offers a good blend of performance and practicality. Now into its sixth generation, the 3 Series Touring comes with a premium interior, a good range of technology, and a range of exciting engines.
Rivals to the BMW 3 Series Touring include the Volvo V60, Volkswagen Passat Estate, Audi A4 Avant, and Mercedes C-Class Estate.
BMW 3 Series Touring Pros:
- Great range of engines
- Premium interior with modern technology
- Most equipment comes as standard
BMW 3 Series Touring Cons:
- Boot decreases on PHEV version
- Expensive compared to rivals
- No manual gearbox available
Our BMW 3 Series Touring review covers:
BMW 3 Series Touring Key Features:
- Imposing front grille and aggressive rear bumpers
- High-quality interior with plenty of space and good technology
- 500 litre boot which decreases to 410 litres on PHEV versions
- A range of excellent petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid engines
- Two trim levels: Sport and M Sport
Design, Practicality and Boot Space
This is the sixth generation of the BMW 3 Series Touring, and there hasn’t been any dramatic changes to the exterior to date. A couple of tweaks to the latest model include a more imposing front grille, slimmer lights, and more aggressive bumpers.
Once inside, the 3 Series Touring is generous with space. There's loads of room up front for two adults to cruise comfortably, and two six-footers can fit in the back and have plenty of leg and headroom. If there's a third passenger in the rear, they might struggle with the hump on the floor, which restricts legroom.
The 3 Series Touring's boot is roughly on par with the Audi A4 Avant but falls short of the Volvo V60. Boot space is 500 litres and can be extended to 1,510 litres with the rear seats down. However, if you choose a plug-in hybrid version, it decreases to 410 litres.
Interior and Trims
One of the major selling points of the 3 Series Touring is its interior. High-quality materials and fabrics are used throughout the cabin, exceeding what's found in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate.
Technology is also top-notch. Entry-level 3 Series Touring's come with a 12.3-inch digital cockpit and a 14.9-inch infotainment system that features some of the latest software, including Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay, sat-nav, and BMWs' Personal Intelligent Assistant.
Two trim levels are available on the 3 Series Touring, including Sport and M Sport.
The entry-level Sport includes LED rear and headlights, light alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning with three-zone control, and cruise control with brake function.
The range-topping M Sport includes 18-inch Bi-colour alloy wheels, M Aerodynamics package, M Sport leather steering wheel, and an Aluminium Rhombicle Interior Trim.
Power and Performance
A range of excellent petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid engines are available for the BMW 3 Series Touring. They all come with BMW's responsive eight-speed automatic gearbox.
You'll likely be racking up the miles, so we'll start with the stand-out diesel option, the 320d. It's a 2.0-litre unit which returns 187hp and achieves 0-62mph in just over seven seconds, shifting well through the gears when accelerating. It also returns a combined fuel economy of more than 50mpg.
If you're looking for more power, head towards the petrol 330i, which has 245hp and achieves 0-62mph in just 6.1 seconds.
The top-of-the-range engines are the plug-in hybrid options. The 330e yields an impressive 292hp and achieves a combined fuel economy of 210.8mpg. Annoyingly, you'll only be able to travel around 37 miles on pure electric power, which falls way short of the Mercedes C-Class Estate's 50 miles of EV range.
Once on the road, the 3 Series Touring is a superb drive. It's happy cruising at motorway speeds but can also adapt and return outstanding performance on the backroads.
Handling wise, you won't find much better in an estate car. It corners exceptionally well around tight bends and is well-balanced, providing a satisfying experience to the driver.
Leasing vs Buying
Prices for the new BMW 3 Series Touring start from £40,125.00 OTR* or to lease from £485.03 per month.
Are you considering leasing the BMW 3 Series Touring? It may prove cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial payment, fixed monthly rentals, and road tax and breakdown cover included in your lease deal.
Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and has a range of leasing deals available to suit every need.
*'On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change, always check with your nearest retailer.
