Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Return to FormThe sixth-generation BMW 3 Series faced a fair amount of criticism when it was new. Critics bemoaned the mute steering, a stark contrast to BMWs of yore. Then there were the cabin materials that weren't quite up to par with the previous generations. More often than not, the F30 is ranked as the least-liked generation of the 3 Series. Yes, it was still good, but it was missing the magic that made prior models great.But then came the G20. Introduced in 2018 for the 2019 model year, it corrected a lot of the misgivings of its predecessor. It looked pretty handsome, too, and some of the sparkle had come back. As the seventh-generation bows out, it's a good time to revisit it before the eighth-gen debuts.Anton Andres/AutoblogThe Wagon America MissedMore specifically, we're looking at the BMW 3 Series Touring, which the U.S market didn't get. Now, we're not here to make American readers jealous, but in a nutshell, it was a great car that wouldn't have sold well stateside. It's still worth sharing our experience with it, especially after living with it for a few months. Besides, America got the E46 Touring and F31 3 Series, the latter even being offered with a diesel option.AdvertisementAdvertisementNow, we do have to note that this particular car wouldn't have made it to America even if it was sold there. It's a 318i, and for kids who think that the only 3 Series that exists is the M3, yes, the number goes that low. The last time America had a 318i was way back in the E36 generation from the '90s, but today's basic 3 Series is, to be perfectly honest, enough for where this writer is based.Anton Andres/AutoblogHow Does it Drive?By American standards, the 318i Touring is slow. 0 to 60 mph is a couple of tenths shy of nine seconds, so it won't take anyone's breath away. Still, it's far better than what its power figures suggest, as the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine puts out 154 hp and 184 lb-ft. Perhaps it's BMW underreporting its engine output; it felt quicker than the conservative numbers suggest. As someone who owned an E39 523i (not sold in America) and an E34 525i, the modern 318i felt livelier than expected. Predictably, it's good on gas, still managing to return 20 mpg in extreme traffic conditions where average speeds crept at 10 mph.As for the way it steers, there's not much difference between it and the sedan. That said, if you decide to be more enthusiastic around the bends, the Touring feels a little softer with a hint more lean. That's not to say it rolls like it's on dead dampers, but if you happen to drive one back-to-back with a sedan, some might feel a little more sway. Still, it's heaps better and more engaging to drive than its predecessor.But what we do have to say is that it rides a tad better than the four-door. It's still firmer than its predecessor, but not back-breakingly so. The ride can be best described as supple, and there were no protests from this writer's wife and toddler. Overall, it's a car that defies its age, and still good to drive even as it gets closer to retirement. Still, Americans (and Canadians) should consider themselves lucky to have the 330i as the base model. A BMW 320i Touring would've been nicer, but it isn't offered in some markets.Anton Andres/AutoblogWhy Get an X3?On paper, the X3 has a greater cargo capacity, mainly because of its height. The thing is, the 3 Series Touring has a longer cargo floor, which makes doing grocery tetris that little bit easier. That pop-out glass hatch comes in handy, too, which is something the X3 doesn't have. Admittedly, the cargo area of the X3 is more square compared to the Touring, but the wagon puts up a good fight. Strollers and luggage prove little of a challenge for the longroof 3 Series.AdvertisementAdvertisementBut when it comes to interior space, it's practically neck and neck. If anything, the 3 Series has more front legroom than the X3, but the latter (obviously) has more headroom. Still, it's not a massive night and day difference difference, and honestly, our family was quite happy with the space inside the wagon. If we're honest, though, the 3 Series isn't even the more spacious or practical wagon among its peers. The Volvo V60 beats it quite easily, and even the more affordable Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen outloads both the luxury options.Still, the fact that it can match the X3 in terms of practicality goes to show that wagons, in general, aren't one to be underestimated in terms of cargo and passenger space. So, why buy an X3 over a 3 Series Touring? Well, the latter isn't offered in many markets, so there's that.Anton Andres/AutoblogFinal ThoughtsThe outgoing 3 Series Touring is an unfortunate omission in the North American lineup, but would've ultimately sold in relatively small numbers, especially compared to the X3. Perhaps that's the case for standard models, but we reckon if the M340i or M3 Touring were offered, it might be a different story. Wagons are a niche in the U.S, so it might make more sense to offer the high-performance versions instead.At least more BMW Touring models are being considered in the U.S. It's not the highest priority at the moment, but the success of the M5 Touring has shown there is still a market for wagons in America, especially speedy wagons. Who knows, maybe America will get the M350 Touring at some point.AdvertisementAdvertisementAs for the G21 3 Series, it's still a fantastic daily driver with the bonus of practicality. It's still a good platform even after all these years, and this writer would buy one if given the chance. That also means the next-gen 3 Series has some big shoes to fill, whether in sedan or wagon guise.Anton Andres/AutoblogThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
