2020 BMW 330e Review

Why this plug-in hybrid could be the best 3 Series

The 2020 BMW 330e is a plug-in hybrid executive car that combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. It has a pure electric range of up to 37 miles and can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 6 seconds. Throw in a sensible pricing structure and it could just be the most appealing mainstream 3 Series of all. Rebecca Jackson puts the 2020 BMW 330e to the test in this CarGurus UK review.

Fancy going full electric?
Volvo XC90 vs BMW X5: Plug-in hybrid SUVs head-to-head


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[markdennis]

Always great video car 🚗 content 7 stars 🌟 reviews 👌

[colinpoyzer]

Got the previous 330e and absolutely love it. I use for work so track all my mileage. A full charge (240v not a quick charger) costs around 80p from empty to full and takes just under 3 hours. Quick chargers at work charge in less than 2 hours. The EV range is nothing like advertised as I get around 14 miles but the regen from the engine is very quick. I do 14000 miles a year and last year, 70% of my journey was on electric. A typical round trip to work is 60 miles of which I get a regular 45-47 miles on electric and that’s with a boot full of work kit. Average combined consumption so far is 76mpg (can get over 100mpg in the summer as battery performance is better). This new version is supposed to be a big improvement so would consider upgrading when I need to swap. I would not go back to a diesel after having a hybrid.

[davidkerr]

Some people are totally missing the point of this car. It won't suit everyone, however if you are a company car driver, the 330e makes a lot of sense. I would have gone for another Jaguar XF, loved having two over the last 8 years but at over 30% benefit in kind tax, that's just unjustifiable for me! Get your finger out Jaguar, if you had a hybrid XE/XF I'd have ordered one....
I drive over 30k miles per anum so will regularly go over the electric range but it means that every day I get 30 odd miles for just a few pence of electricity. The charging time is not an issue as it will be plugged in as I sleep. It will also allow me to use parking spaces with charging points (which are currently often vacant) allow me free travel in low emission zones and save me thousands of pounds a year on tax!
It's smaller than I would like (particularly the boot) but for the saving of one month's BIK tax, I can purchase roof rails and a roofbox for holidays with the family. A large roofbox is over 500l, the size of a standard 3 seriese boot.
As a company car driver, I have always had to resort to something like a 2.0L Diesel. These have got really good over the years but are still noisy at idle and don't sound great as you rev. The performance is fine but a 330e will perform well above the level of a good 2L diesel. For me, I would not be able to justify the cost of going for a similarly performing diesel so the 330e is an easy decision for me.
I would have liked the 530e but its much more expensive so I'd have to resort to a low spec. Colours are also limited and I prefer the interior of the new 3 series over the 5. I hate that tablet stuck to the dash like someone forgot to include it in the design so just stuck it there. The 3 series has it better integrated into the dash. Not to mention that the 3 is a much newer design with all the new technology included like xtra boost and reverse assist.
For these reasons, I'm ordering a 330e.

[Krieky]

Rebecca has such a lovely, calm and thorough way of doing reviews. Really liked this one.

[edwinsmith]

Love the cat at the end trying to distract her.

[neoanderson]

Another favourable review from Rebecca. Great to see you’re doing sporty reviews. 👍🏻

[humptydumpty]

Superb review, precise and so calming.

[catalinabobdescanso]

Got mine yesterday, very impressed and having owned several gas 3 series I like this one best.

[AFRetPA]

I've actually already placed an order for one. Living in the US, I have to wait for it to be built to my specs. I'm really eager to get it in my garage.

[JOHNKING]

Ordered a bmw 330e m sport plus in white for deliver end of March. Benefit in kind seriously reduced from my 430i, can charge at work daily and run mostly on pure electric. O -60 mph 5.7 sec! But feels faster due to the torque. Very happy.

[DeeKay]

I love almost all about this concept. It does feel just a little bit like a missed opportunity to have both engines rear wheel drive. I love my current rear wheel drive Bmw, but with this 113 bhp could pull the front wheels and effectively give you superb traction in winter etc.

[vktos]

Had mine delivered a few days ago - highly recommend it to anyone.

[shawflygirl]

3 series is such a good car. Finally secured mine and pick it up in November :D

[les]

one of the better reviews of 3 series I have seen and I watched quite a few. Interestingly enough I usually find the reviews done by female presenters more informative ( maybe becase they are rarer they gave a slightly different perspective to 100 0f reviews already there) . anyways good job

[shanjanusman]

The BMW 3 series has always an amazing car and now this 330E is even better.

[callsigncrusader]

330e m sport is a very well-rounded car indeed

[Mummerelle]

Yes, I would definitely consider this car. Loved your review. I just saw one for sale after looking at the Honda Clarity plug in, so this was most helpful to view. Thanks!

[JamieClague]

Had mine since Nov 2019 - Done 5K so far, half of which has been on electric. Love the silence of it, but letting it rip country roads in sports mode now again is great. The majority of people are not going to miss the combustion engine when we all go fully electric. The car will actually do over 80mph in full-electric mode, but only 67ish in Hybrid.

[matthewday]

I've been waiting for this car for a year in the US- it will be here in a month. Strangely the electric only range is officially rated lower (20 miles) here by EPA, but I suppose that's probably a test cycle difference. This M spec car is about $54k here in US- it will be a while till I can justify trading my 335d given my short commute. Great review.

[pauldmack]

Have you been kicking tyres with those boots Rebecca 🤣😂
Great review as per usual 💪