BMW 330e 2020 Review

The BMW 330e M Sport plug-in hybrid model tested here combines the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine found in the 320i with the additional power and torque from an electric motor set within the space ordinarily occupied by the torque converter of the ZF Sachs-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission.

In true terms this is a plug-in hybrid system offering combined system output of 215kW/420Nm. New to the 2020 version of the BMW 330e is an ‘overboost’ system of sorts dubbed Xtraboost, which in Sport mode provides an additional 30kW for up to 10sec. Top speed on electric power alone is capped at 140km/h.

That makes the 330e the most powerful four-cylinder petrol model in the current 3 Series range, slotting between the 330i and the hard-charging six-cylinder turbo-petrol 340i with combined output of 285kW/500Nm.

A turbo-diesel powered 3 Series (the 320d) making 140kW/400Nm is also available.

At face value, the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid is something of a contradiction. Here is a prestige sedan capable of accelerating in 5.9sec for its 0-100km/h time, but which also consumes as little as 2.2L/100km. Considering its 1740kg kerb weight – 280kg more than the petrol-powered 320i – both figures are impressive. The 330e is no lightweight, and that shows when tackling a winding road.

During rapid changes of direction and fast, sharper bends the 330e M Sport feels considerably heavier than the 320i sampled previously. The plug-in hybrid 3 Series tends to understeer sooner and carry its inertia further than the petrol-powered model. If there's one saving grace, most of the weight is set so low in the frame that the car's natural handling trait is progressive, rather than ‘snapping’ in an oversteer moment.

Of course, these dynamic deficits are only really noticed when driving enthusiastically. In day-to-day commuting the 330e feels no different than the 320i. It’s quiet and rides rather well – even on the sportier M Sport suspension and complementary wheel/tyre package.

The transition from petrol to electric power is heard, rather than felt, and the steering and pedal feel are appropriately metered for easy – but communicative – progress in city traffic.

In urban commuting – driving a 90km return journey over a five-day week – the 330e adhered prudently to its manufacturer’s range claim. I managed 45-50km from a full charge, depending on traffic and weather, and achieved a fuel consumption average of 2.6L/100km recharging every day.

In terms of packaging there’s no great difference between the 330e and its conventionally-powered brethren. The cabin still comfortably accommodates five adult passengers, but the positioning of the 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack means cargo space shrinks from 480 to 375 litres (-22 per cent).

The BMW 330e’s all-electric range is quoted at 59km, or around 50 per cent better than the outgoing model. High-speed charging of the battery pack takes as little as 2.5 hours, or 5.5 hours via a regular (240-volt/10-amp) domestic socket.

Of course the money saved on the fuel bill for the BMW 330e may take a while to offset. Without subsidies to support lower-emissions vehicles like the 330e M Sport the premium asking price ($78,900 plus on-road costs) is hard to justify. Against the 320i M Sport the 330e asks $11,000 more, or $5000 more than a 330i M Sport. In short, you’d need to drive a lot of miles to recoup the outlay of your high-tech hybrid.

For example: Driving 20,000km per annum with petrol prices at $1.80/litre – and assuming the advertised fuel consumption figures are accurate – the 330e M Sport (2.2L/100km, ADR Combined) will cost $792.00 a year to refuel.

The 320i M Sport  (6.3L/100km, ADR Combined) will cost $2268 to travel the same distance in 12 months, which means it could be filled with petrol for almost three years before it makes any sort of dent on the asking price of the 330e.

For that reason – and as good as the technology and driving experience of the BMW 330e might be – recommending the model to Australian buyers is a bit of an ask.

If you’re not an early adopter – and you have neither the means nor desire to lower your personal carbon footprint – then a more expensive petrol-electric plug-in hybrid model like the 330e M Sport offers no real benefit over its cheaper, conventionally-powered contemporaries.

It’s a pity, really, because in every other respect the BMW 330e is a terrific car for those wanting to test the waters before moving to an all-electric vehicle; and a fantastic example of available technology in its own right.

How much does the 2020 BMW 330e M Sport cost?
Price: $78,900 (plus on-road costs) / $86,200 (as tested, plus ORCs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol and electric motor
Output: 215kW/420Nm (Combined)
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 2.2L/100km (ADR Combined) / 2.6L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 50g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2019)

Options:
Ambient Light package: $700
Seat heating (front only): $700
Steering wheel heating: $400
Electric glass sunroof: $2900
Laser headlights: $1900
Citrin Black Metallic paint: $3700
Fine Woodtrim Oak Grain Open Pore: No cost option