The New G21 BMW 3-Series Touring Is The Chief Anti-SUV

BMW's all-new 'G20' 3-series has spawned an estate version, which is good for 369bhp in M340i form
The New G21 BMW 3-Series Touring Is The Chief Anti-SUV

In an ideal world, the estate would be a hugely popular kind of car. They’re stylish and much more practical than saloons, without only a minimal weight penalty. What’s not to like?

Sadly, the poor old wagon is increasingly being overlooked in favour of big, heavy and excessive SUVs. But if any car stands a chance of convincing buyers of such cars that there’s another way, it’s the new ‘G21’ BMW 3-series Touring.

Tempting by a BMW X3, Audi Q5 or Mercedes GLC? You'd be better off with a G21 BMW 3-series Touring...
Tempting by a BMW X3, Audi Q5 or Mercedes GLC? You'd be better off with a…

The engine line-up is carried over from the very good G20 3-series saloon range. The petrol rage kicks off with the 181bhp 320i, powered by an inline-four turbo engine that also appears in the 330i. In the latter car, it’s tweaked to produce a handier 254bhp, but if that’s not enough, there’s always the 369bhp M340i Touring to consider. It’ll do 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds, a drop of just a tenth relative to the saloon.

In terms of diesel engines, there’s the choice of the inline-four-powered 318d (147bhp) and 320d (187bhp), with the inline-six 261bhp 330d sitting at the top of the derv range.

The New G21 BMW 3-Series Touring Is The Chief Anti-SUV

The 330i and 330d can be specced with BMW’s ‘xDrive’ all-wheel drive system, while the 330d and M340i have it fitted as standard. All derivatives send their power through eight-speed automatic gearboxes - there’s no manual option here.

Compared to the old F31, the G21 is 76mm longer, 16mm wider and 8mm taller. It’ll be easier to fill it with stuff, as the load bay is now 112mm wider and 30mm higher, with the sill height dropped a little too. Boot capacity is 500 litres with all the seats up, and 1510 litres with them all down - five and 10 litres more than the old 3er wagon respectively.

The New G21 BMW 3-Series Touring Is The Chief Anti-SUV

As well as being ever-so-slightly more practical than the old one, it should drive a little nicer too. Like the saloon, it has wider tracks, increased negative camber and a stiffer, lighter bodyshell. The weight savings aren’t quite so dramatic, though - the saloon is a whopping 55kg lighter than the old F30, whereas the wagon has shed only 10kg. But considering it’s grown in every dimension, any drop in bulk is good going.

It’ll be sold on our shores in SE, Sport, M Sport and M Sport Plus trims later this year. Expect a small premium over the £33,610 starting price for the saloon.

Comments

Anonymous

Now do an M3 Touring.

06/12/2019 - 09:47 |
32 | 0
Matt Robinson
Matt Robinson

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

We can but dream…

06/12/2019 - 10:02 |
16 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Alpina will make it

06/12/2019 - 17:42 |
8 | 0
German Perfectionist

The current 3-Series really is a proof that BMW can still build beautiful cars. I tend to forget that when I look at the new 7-Series, the X7, or, worst of all, the new 1-Series…

06/12/2019 - 10:03 |
80 | 0

Still preferred the last hen but out of the current batch of cars it’s still best.

06/12/2019 - 10:22 |
12 | 0

I agree with the 7 and the 1, but I think that the X7 is dare I say it, gorgeous

06/12/2019 - 13:06 |
4 | 4

Have you seen one in real life?

06/12/2019 - 13:06 |
0 | 2

Have you seen one in real life?

06/12/2019 - 13:06 |
0 | 2
Anonymous

No manual :(

06/12/2019 - 11:48 |
2 | 0
Jakob

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

You can get a manual transmission, but only with the 318d and 320d versions. 320d x-drive, 330d and all the petrol engines are automatic-only.

06/12/2019 - 12:34 |
12 | 0
🎺🎺thank mr skeltal

The thing I don’t like about BMW wagons is that they just use the same taillight design as the sedan. On some of them it fit reasonably well (E30, E46 for example), but on others it just looks dull, for example on the E60 5-Series and on this one.

06/12/2019 - 13:42 |
2 | 2

I agree with you on that, it it looks dull but in the same it looks nice too imo

06/12/2019 - 13:57 |
4 | 0
Raptor867

They didn’t mess it up good

06/12/2019 - 14:23 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

This is definite proof that mankind must wagon all the things

06/12/2019 - 16:37 |
6 | 0
Lauge

Look’s a lot better than the sedan. Especially the rear end.

06/13/2019 - 11:13 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

That’s really great! It’s so refreshing to have new a new touring around!

06/18/2019 - 06:08 |
2 | 0

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