Should you buy one?

Yes, because in many ways, the BMW 3 Series Touring is the perfect family car. While it can’t offer you the higher driving position of an SUV, its broad combination of driving appeal, practicality, image and technical sophistication makes it suitable for a wide range of uses and buyers, and we feel that you’re very unlikely to be disappointed if you choose one.

Though the boot may not be much bigger overall than the previous generation of 3 Series Touring, it is noticeably better to use in terms of day-to-day functionality. This a more practical car than the Audi A4 Avant and Mercedes C-Class estate, though there less premium alternatives that can carry far more stuff. There is a real sense that BMW has put a lot of effort into making this a really useful car – rather than one that simply looks good and drives smartly.

Would we recommend one over an Audi A4 Avant or Mercedes-Benz C-Class estate? It’s certainly the best all-rounder of the three, even if the Audi is a little better built, and the Mercedes-Benz rides better. In short, the 3 Series Touring sets an exceptional standard, and genuinely offers buyers the best of many worlds.

What we like

The driving experience is not only fun, but adaptable. This is a car that handles corners with rare enthusiasm, but can also be a comfortable cruiser when required. It’s quiet, untroubled by vibrations and easy to drive, while engines offer strong performance with often surprising fuel efficiency. Of the engines currently available, the 320i is the best choice of real-world use. Buying used, the dearly departed 320d is arguably the best fit of any engine available in the 3 Series Touring, with its ample performance, hushed refinement and a real-world 50mpg.

What we don’t like

Some of the tech isn’t quite as seemlessly implemented as we’d like and the interior looks and feels rather dour in darker colours. The enormous dual-screen display can be a bit intimidating, as well and… that’s about all there is to criticise.