BMW 330e plug-in hybrid 2020: In-depth review with Tom Ford / Electrifying

The BMW 320d has long been the pick for 3 Series company car buyers with its frugal 2.0-litre diesel engine, but the 330e could be about to change that.

The 330e uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to an electric motor and 12kWh battery. Together they give it performance equivalent to a 3.0-litre petrol engine, and it's actually more responsive in certain situations. You can also get it with xDrive four-wheel drive but, most importantly, switch from a 320d to a 330e and your tax bills are halved.

But those are numbers and facts - what's the 330e actually like to drive? Tom Ford finds out.

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[modernschoolatlas]

Update on mine, I just filled it up, last time was 29th of August, today is 21st of November, cost was £37.78 for 34 litres/7.48 gallons (it's only a small tank anyway) and I did 1490 miles in that time, plugging in every night and commuting to work 5 days a week, but not doing much else due to lockdown etc. That's 199.2 mpg.

[kghasan]

First month of getting 330e. My expense of fuel dropped down from £180/month to £50/month. Plus no road tax & no congestion charge. ♡Loving it♡

[kiwiesp]

My friend who I hadn't seen in 15 years I saw him 10 days ago and today he picked me up in one of these. It was a fantastic Day 😎

[eskara]

One year later and it’s still my favourite car so far. Full charge gives us around 20 miles (gauge always says 26 fully charged) which is enough for most commutes. Petrol tank is laughably small though, and just a bit jarring when you see that range drop so quickly. This is very much a car designed for shorter commutes where you can rely on the battery alone or either to boost performance and help make that tank last a bit longer.

[alanwayte]

I plug my wife’s car in most nights, not difficult, have not put petrol in for over two months, it’s a great compromise, most days I have 35 mile commute and it’s such a good car I leave my RS6 at home unless it’s a longer trip

[davidplenderleith]

Best car I’ve owned yet. Even faster than my 330i.

[glennotto]

I have a Seat estate eHybrid. My journeys tend to be under 30 miles. There is a type 2 FREE charger near my gym so I am getting, nearly all my fuel FREE.

[londonas]

I’ve tested one for 3 months, easily achieved way in to 30’s without charging and that’s with motorways driving

[marshmellow]

I've had the 530e for a few months now... It replaced my 320d for a 60 mile commute each way to work. I am averaging around 68-85mpg on these long commutes.

[mark]

I've had mine since August. Gets charged 5 days a week at work and it does 49mpg.

If you do t charge it, it does about 31mpg.
About £40 to fill up.
Marvellous to drive and absolutely shunts!

Don't be put off by the boot. Seats flap down to poke things through. Ski hatch let's you load in long things like 2.4m skirting boards 😃. Its big enough for a set of golf clubs but not with an electric trolley as well.

[talkandplay]

Imagine buying a £45000 BMW 330e xDrive M Sport Saloon and finding out BMW want £1500 for adding high beam assist..jokers.

[radimgrosek]

Does the battery recharge while using the petrol engine only ?

[tgreen]

All these 330e reviews say the car only does 68mph max in pure electric. Wrong, press the electric button and goes to 89mph with more regeneration and more power all the time. I use this mode most the time and stops the petrol engine cutting in.

[farting]

Can any owners advise how battery is after 2 yrs of driving? I’m thinking of a 2nd hand one with around 20k miles on the clock. I’m worried the battery power has depleted over time like a mobile?

[ChoPi-Eww]

Great review! Good to see Tom Ford again:)

[slipstream]

I have a 335d touring just now that I love but with work being 25 miles away and with free charging I will be waiting for the touring E version to come out and likely buy one

[freemind]

"It has fat wheel "? Like it is complain?!
Marvellous car!

[modernschoolatlas]

I've had mine for over a year now, commuting through heavy traffic 9 miles to work each day and charging every night my ACTUAL mpg is 125, I'm happy with that.
Chunky steering wheel? That's because you got the m-sport which is much more expensive to buy, costs extra road tax for 5 years, and all you get is different shaped bumpers and some badges and that steering wheel, so don't fall for the marketing hype, keep five grand in your pocket and get the sport-pro. It's just as fast and economical and looks great in red.
(PS where's the drone footage?)

[jeffreycooper]

Am I stumped ?, do I want to know the answer ?, or does THE TITLE give it away ?

[speedingoffence]

Are the sport suspension and sport transmission options worth it?
I'm not a huge fan of the aero kit (looks like a Corolla) but I don't want to miss out on performance if it's there to be had.