BMW 330e 320e Hybrid Models Experiences

Our beloved BMW 3 series is available in the following hybrid petrol models:

BMW 320e Touring
BMW 330e Touring
BMW 320e Sedan
BMW 330e Sedan

BMW really struck a chord with its buyers when it introduced the 330e plug-in hybrid. The company estimates that a quarter of all 3-series buyers choose this model - no wonder, since it often comes up in lists for best hybrid cars.

BMW 320e and 330e

First, the 3-series is as we have come to expect, very nice to drive and class-leading - despite the battery. On the other hand, the claimed range of 57-62 km is so useful for electric driving alone that it will cover many drivers' commutes. This need not be a disadvantage if you do a lot of short trips.

And finally, there is the XtraBoost feature that temporarily boosts the combined petrol-electric power by 41 extra horsepower.

You also get all the features we love about the standard BMW 3-series - its supportive seats, excellent roadholding, smartly understated design and a selection of technology that is advanced but user-friendly.

Its main German rival is the Mercedes-Benz C 300e.

What about power BMW 330e?

The BMW 330e combines the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine found in the regular 320i with an electric motor, neatly integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox.

The packaging is so good that the body is only 15 mm longer than the standard eight-speed automatic fitted elsewhere in the 3-series. Having the engine in this position is also good for efficiency, especially when it comes to regenerating braking energy.

The petrol engine produces 184 hp (the same as the 320i) and gets support from the electric motor, bringing output to 252 hp. Added to this is the impressive XtraBoost feature (temporarily 41 hp extra!).

How does XtraBoost work on the BMW 330e?

We were hoping for a button similar to Porsche's Sport Response. But in fact, it is just an additional part of the BMW Sport driving mode settings, and it is activated by selecting it and then firmly pressing the accelerator.

Since the jump to 293 hp is delivered entirely by an extra 41 hp jolt from the electric motor, the effect is quite impressive. So much so that BMW reckons it will give you twice as much 'power' from 20 km/h within a second as a similarly powerful fuel-engined car. The result? Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h in no more than 5.9 seconds.

Exactly the kind of performance BMW buyers are probably looking for.

A joy on the road?

In short, absolutely. Wake it up by firmly pressing the right pedal, or leave it in Sport mode, and the 330e shoots forward and leaves everything behind it. Being a BMW, it also has the chassis composure to carry through that initial acceleration into corners without going off the road.

On paper, 0-100 km/h takes 5.8 seconds, but that doesn't quite do the effort in motion justice. On the motorway, it builds up speed faster than the 330d. But although the XtraBoost effect lasts only 10 seconds at a time, it is available even if you have already consumed the hybrid battery. 10 seconds seems long enough to us, how often do you need to accelerate for longer than that?

Is the BMW 330e a good hybrid car?

Yes, it is a very good choice for your money. The 330e has a claimed range of 57-62 km on electricity alone, and there is a wider range of features to make the most of this e-efficiency.

For example, you can set a target percentage of battery life you want to keep - perhaps to save it for when you are in a low-emission zone or to sneak up the drive without waking the neighbours - and the car will do its job.

Initial results with this were mixed (actually, if you start it up all the time, the batteries will inevitably drain ), but there is also an automatic setting, which works with the satellite navigation to select the most appropriate points on your route to put the battery in.

Moreover, you can manually activate all-electric mode, which allows the car to happily drive up to 140 km/h and cruise there until the remaining range runs out. However, don't expect to drive 60 km on electricity at that speed. And if all-electric range is your thing, the 330e is beaten by the Mercedes C 300e.

Are there any drawbacks?

Sure, the 330e is fast. But the four-cylinder engine sounds dull - with or without the extra dynamic acoustics activated in the Sport settings - and the weight of the hybrid's large drive battery is still noticeable. Compare the 330e to the 330i and you'll see what we mean. The 330e is 200 kilograms heavier than a 330i and although BMW has managed very well to disguise this extra weight, you do notice it.

Don't get us wrong, this is still a car that eats up a series of corners without blinking and hungers for more. It's just that a bit of the fun has disappeared in the process, as evidenced by the somewhat light and artificial feel of the steering (again, even in the heaviest Sport setting).

Any other problems?

The luggage compartment suffers because space is needed for the battery - and it is noticeable, because you will notice that the floor is bumpy when you go to throw in your luggage. The bulge is actually the fuel tank, which has been moved from its usual place under the seats to make room for the battery; the battery occupies this protruding position because it is heavier...

If we grade the impact of this, a standard 3-series sedan has 480 litres of boot space, while the 330e has just 375 litres. In the 330e Touring, you get 410 litres with the seats up, 1420 litres with folding - which is also quite a bit less than the 500/1500 litres you get in any other 3-series estate car.

The infotainment systems and digital displays have been updated during the facelift and the enlarged displays are a joy to use, thanks to the simple controls and sharp and clear display. The 330e's dials get hybrid-related display options, but apart from rearranging a few buttons on the centre console, this is the only difference in the passenger compartment.

BMW 330e charging time and fuel consumption

Typical PHEV eyebrows-in-the-lane things here - official fuel consumption for the 330e is 1.6-1.3 L/100 km (combined) and electric consumption 17.1-16 kWh/ 100 km. CO2 emissions are 30-36 g/km. You will have to do a lot of electric driving and mostly short trips to get close to those figures.

Let the 3 Series self-distribute its fuel and electricity during longer journeys, it provides fuel economy comparable to diesel. But to get the most out of it, you should also plug in the hybrid as often as possible between trips. Full charging time is 3 hours and 45 minutes with a BMW i Wallbox, or 5 hours and 40 minutes with a regular three-pole plug.

BMW 330e hybrid: verdict

The word that comes to mind most quickly here is 'impressive' - BMW's best-selling plug-in hybrid has lavish performance, extended electric range and some clever conveniences. No wonder it's such a popular model.

If you buy one to save tax, then you can rest assured that it is a thoroughly BMW and drives as it should. But keep in mind that if you are used to a 330d or 330i, this hybrid model feels a little less agile.