2016 BMW 320i REVIEW, Price, Features | Stellar Handling And A Sweet Ride
HERE, IN THE 2016 BMW 320i, WE HAVE A MID-MODEL BMW THAT DOESN'T NEED A WHOLE BUNCH OF EXXY OPTIONS ADDED TO BRING IT UP TO A SATISFACTORY PREMIUM 'SPEC LEVEL'.
In terms of luxury equipment and technology ‘smarts’, the kind that previously jacked-up the starting price significantly, the $61,900 (plus on-road costs) 320i being tested here is fine just as it is. (So put the pencil away, your wallet can take a breather.)
Truth to be told, this generation BMW 3 Series has had a tough time since launching in 2012, often being outsold two-to-one by its Mercedes-Benz C-Class rival.
That same Merc also trounced it for standard equipment. And, with a brand new Audi A4 also now here, BMW has responded with a ‘life cycle impulse’ (we’d call it an “update”…) to save the day for the 3 Series.
Vehicle Style: Medium sedan
Price: $61,900 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 135kW/270Nm 2.0 4cyl turbo petrol | 8sp automatic
Fuel Economy claimed: 5.8 l/100km | tested: 7.3 l/100km
OVERVIEW
With standard LED headlights, surround-view camera, head-up display, lane departure warning and collision detection with autonomous emergency braking, electrically adjustable front seats, satellite navigation with digital radio and internet connectivity – no longer does the 320i feel under-equipped.
Crucially, all 3 Series models except the model below this 320i – the $54,900 (plus orc) 318i that won a TMR comparison test against the Lexus IS200t – now get standard adaptive suspension in addition to stronger rear suspension mounts and revised kinetics.