2019 BMW 3 Series Touring (G21) 330d xDrive 8AT AWD (265 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Introduced in June 2019, the station wagon version of BMW’s 3 Series seventh generation followed in the footsteps of its predecessor and came with a longer wheelbase than its sedan brother.

The seventh generation of the 3 Series was also the sixth for the station wagon version of this nameplate since it was introduced only in the mid-80s as a facelift for this lineup’s second generation, the E30. However, the same thing happened with the four-door sedan and the convertible since the first generation of the 3 Series was available only as a coupe. Regardless of these historical facts, the G21, as it was known in the automaker’s internal coding, was a family vehicle with a healthy dose of sportiness. The new model was built on the CLAR platform shared with other cars from the automaker’s range, such as the 5 and the 7 Series.

From the front, the 2016 BMW 3 Series Touring had narrow headlights with a slight center indentation that emphasized the twin-headlamp design. These were available as full LEDs, while the base versions featured bi-xenon lamps. Between them, the automaker installed a broad kidney grille with chromed surrounding and black or chromed vertical slats, depending on the grade and options. For the lower bumper, BMW offered the choice of either a standard or an M Sport Package for the exterior. The former featured a broad center air intake in the lower side of the bumper flanked by T-shaped side scoops, while the latter had an upside-down three-piece trapezoidal grille flanked by broad air vents that housed lamellar LED fog lamps.

From its profile, the car looked identical to the sedan up to the B-post, but things went a different way behind that point. The station wagon featured a long, sloped-down roof that was continued on the back by a roof spoiler placed atop the center stack. Between the rear doors and the D-posts, the automaker added a narrow window that ended in the already famous Hofmeister-kink design theme. Out back, the full-LED taillights sported the L-shape that BMW implemented across the range. Like its predecessors, the 2019 BMW 3 Series Touring featured an independent open for the rear window, which allowed customers to put smaller items in the trunk without opening the entire tailgate.

Inside, BMW offered customers the option of a digital instrument cluster instead of the standard analog one. Furthermore, all versions came with the iDrive infotainment system shown on a screen placed atop the center stack. On the center tunnel that separated the front occupants, BMW installed the gear stick or the selector for the automatic transmission, several buttons for driving modes (ECO, comfort, sport), parking sensors, and an electric handbrake. In the back, thanks to the longer wheelbase, the F31 provided 11 mm (0.4-inch) more knee room for the rear seated passengers. While this didn’t seem to be too much progress, it came on top of the already enough legroom provided by the sedan. Behind the split-folding (40/20/40) bench seat, the trunk could accommodate up to 500 liters (17.7 cu-ft) of space, which could be extended to 1,510 (53.3 cu-ft) with the rear seats folded down.

BMW installed a wide choice of gasoline and turbodiesel engines under the 2019 3 Series Touring’s hood. Furthermore, there were also options for hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, which proved to be a better alternative to those looking for fuel-efficient vehicles. Most powerplants could be paired with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic. BMW also offered its well-known xDrive all-wheel drive system for selected versions.