2016 BMW 330e review | road test

Richard Blackburn road tests and reviews the BMW 330e

(with Android car DVD) with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

The 3 Series plug-in is among the best of the breed. It commutes on electricity — but is still every bit a BMW.

When it comes to hybrids, BMW is a late adopter. It launched its first petrol-electric vehicle in Australia late in 2012, roughly a decade after the first Toyota Prius landed here.

But the Bavarians are making up for lost time, with four plug-in petrol-electric cars in the line-up, the 330e being the latest arrival.

BMW claims the 330e will travel up to 37km on electricity alone before switching to petrol power, allowing some owners to recharge at each end of the trip and do the weekly commute without using a drop of petrol.

To add to the appeal, BMW says the plug-in version is only $2000 more than the equivalent petrol version, which is roughly the same premium you’d pay for a diesel.

Design

The technology beneath the panels may be cutting edge but there are precious few exterior design cues that you are driving a plug-in.

There’s a charging socket on the left front panel and discreet eDrive logos on the rear, door sills and engine.

The seats are comfortable supportive, the controls easy to use and the rear seating reasonably generous for a mid-size Euro sedan.

Elsewhere, there are the usual packaging compromises when, essentially, two power sources are fitted to a car. What about install an android 2 din car stereoBMW designers have managed these well. Boot space is down from 480L to 370L but the floor is flat and the rear seat backs still fold to extend cargo space.

The petrol tank is down from 60L to 41L, although BMW claims the range is still 600km.

Much the same as in any other 3 Series, the cabin has extra readouts in the instrument panel to deal with electric range and power flow.

The seats are comfortable supportive, the controls easy to use and the rear seating reasonably generous for a mid-size Euro sedan.

Around town

How much of your city driving is emissions-free depends on the length of your commute and your access to a parking space with a power point.

Unlike other EVs we’ve driven, the projected range is pretty close to what you get, regardless of traffic conditions.

CarsGuide’s carpark has a dedicated fast charger to top up the battery in a couple of hours, provided there’s no one in the parking spot, so theoretically that means 74km of electric drive per day. If you have another opel car, you can install a vauxhall sat nav in your car.