CAR /
IMPRESSION
December 10, 2021
Test drive of the BMW 318i Touring—an outstanding wagon for the joy of driving | BMW
BMW 318i Touring | BMW 318i Touring
Test drive of the BMW 318i Touring—an outstanding wagon for the joy of driving
Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volvo continue to offer compelling wagons in their lineups. This is likely because of their practicality, enjoyable driving dynamics, and the convenience of not having a high ride height, all of which appeal to a certain segment of drivers. Among these, we test drove the 318i Touring, an entry-level model in the BMW 3 Series.
Text by OGAWA Fumio | Photographs by KAWANO Atsuki
A Supple Ride That Feels Good in the City and on the Highway
Europe has not given up on the wagon. The continued production of excellent station wagons is a welcome development for those who prioritize ride comfort or face height restrictions in parking garages. The BMW 3 Series Touring, a prime example, is a high-scoring wagon.
BMW launched the current 3 Series in 2019. The sedan was followed by the station wagon version, the Touring. The "318i Touring" featured here was added in September 2020 and is equipped with a 2-liter engine. It proved to be a remarkably well-executed model, reinforcing the enduring appeal of the 3 Series.
BMW Japan positions this 318i Touring as the "entry model" of the 3 Series. Above it are the 320i, also a 2-liter gasoline model but more powerful, the 320d diesel, and the 3-liter, 6-cylinder M340i.
The 318i Touring's 1998cc 4-cylinder engine produces a maximum output of 115kW (156ps) and a peak torque of 250Nm. It drives the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. The basic layout remains unchanged from the classic 3 Series.
I've always appreciated the balanced nature of the 3 Series and have owned several myself. My first drive of the latest model, known as the G20 (the Touring is the G21), was in Portugal shortly after its launch.
Starting from a coastal resort, we drove along cliffside roads. The route alternated between curves and gradients, and it struck me that BMW's intention was to showcase the 3 Series' capabilities even in such demanding conditions, despite its common use as a family sedan.
At that time, I was impressed by the sporty handling that allowed for incredibly smooth cornering, but I was also taken aback by the stiffness of the suspension. Any unevenness in the road surface resulted in jarring impacts.
This 318i Touring, however, has largely shed that stiffness from its suspension, offering a pleasantly supple ride in both city and highway driving. The steering wheel, with its initially surprising, extra-thick grip diameter, has now become a standard that many manufacturers are emulating due to its ease of use.