Overview

Is the BMW 3 Series Touring the ultimate all-rounder? Among the ranks of estate cars, it certainly does a brilliant job of combining premium-grade comfort and tech with a satisfying driving experience and all-purpose practicality. In that regard, it offers pretty much exactly the same package as the 3 Series saloon, with the added appeal of a bigger, more flexible boot.

It’s a recipe BMW has perfected over nearly 40 years. The first 3 Series Touring was launched in the late 1980s on the second-generation platform and there’s been an estate in the line-up ever since. The current, seventh-generation 3 Series went on sale since 2018 and has received a couple of updates since, most recently a primp and preen in 2024.

We’ve driven many examples of the car over the years, using it as intended – covering a lot of miles and carrying a lot of stuff. We lived with one for six months in a long-term test, as well. You can read more about how we test cars at Parkers to reach the conclusions voiced here.

The ranks of premium compact estate cars aren’t as strong as they used to be, but the 3 Series Touring still faces some tempting rivals. They include Audi A4 Avant, Volvo V60, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate and Genesis G70 Shooting Brake. There are more mainstream alternatives that are also well worth looking at, including the Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Passat estates.

These days, a family estate car such as this is as likely to be on your shopping list as a swathe of SUVs including the Audi Q5, Mercedes GLC, BMW X3, Porsche Macan and perhaps more mainstream alternatives such as the Skoda Kodiaq. So much choice…

The number of engines available in the 3 Series Touring was cut back in 2024, leaving only the petrol 320i and M340i, and the plug-in hybrid 330e – we have separate review of the latter. Both petrol engines have an eight-speed automatic gearbox, while the M340i also has xDrive all-wheel-drive. Pick either and you get a great balance of performance and efficiency.

A much larger range of petrol and diesel engines has been available in the past and you find the full details in the Engines & Handling section of this review. The bonkers M3 Touring sits at the top of tree.

Trim level choices are Sport or M Sport, while the M Performance M340i is its own. Nearly two thirds of UK buyers order the M Sport trim level, which has its own style of bumpers front and rear as well as firmer, lower sports suspension as standard. All models have broadly the same package of standard features including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, satnav and cruise control.

Click through the next few pages to read everything you need to know about the BMW 3 Series Touring including its practicality, its interior, how much it costs to run, what it’s like to drive – and whether we recommend buying one.