Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at Edmunds, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.
Pros
Hatchback utility with sport sedan performance
More rear legroom than a regular 3 Series
Strong and fuel-efficient engines
All-wheel drive is standard
Cons
Some basic conveniences aren't standard
Sloping roofline cuts into rear headroom
Less cargo volume than a comparable crossover SUV
Outward visibility isn't great
What’s new
Changes to the 3 Series Gran Turismo are pretty minor for 2018. A rearview camera is now standard along with BMW's ConnectedDrive Services, and BMW's iDrive interface has been upgraded to the latest 6.0 version, with new navigation (if equipped) and touchscreen technology. BMW has also shuffled around the availability of some of the Gran Turismo's optional content.
Vehicle overview
The 2018 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo is an interesting mix of vehicle traits. It's not a crossover, but it comes with all-wheel drive and a slightly elevated seating position. It offers more cargo capacity than a 3 Series wagon and more rear legroom than a BMW X3, yet most would say it handles very much like a sedan.
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AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
27 Combined MPG (23 City/33 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WBA8Z9C5XJB219779 Stock: 15692-B004 Certified Pre-Owned: No
If you can get past the slightly awkward proportions of 3 Series GT, it begins to look like a best-of-all-worlds vehicle. There's strong turbocharged acceleration even from the base 330i's four-cylinder engine and ample amounts of buttery-smooth thrust should you opt for the 340i with its turbo inline six-cylinder. All models also come standard with BMW's xDrive for all-season traction.
So what are the shortcomings? Well, ultimately the 3 Series-based X3 SUV still has more cargo room and ground clearance, and the smaller sedan and wagon variants deliver more of the crisp handling that BMWs are known for. However, we think those things matter less than the Gran Turismo's list of standard equipment, which doesn't include basic luxury-level items such as keyless entry and adjustable lumbar support. At this price, those features should be included.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
The 3 Series Gran Turismo is the obvious solution to the problem: "I want a BMW 3 Series sedan but need more passenger and cargo room. And I don't want an SUV. Or a wagon." OK, so this isn't a problem many people have. But for what it sets out to do, the 3 Series Gran Turismo performs admirably.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions, although trim levels share many aspects. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Gran Turismo (turbo 2.0L inline-4 | 8-speed automatic | AWD).
NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current 3 Series Gran Turismo has been revised, including new engines introduced in 2017. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's 3 Series Gran Turismo, though keep in mind that the four-cylinder engine in the 328i rated here generates slightly less horsepower and torque than one found in the 2018 330i.
Driving
Don't let the Gran Turismo's 4.4-inch-longer wheelbase (versus the 3 Series sedan's), elevated seating position or hatchback body style fool you. This is still a true performance machine. It's a joy to drive with plenty of seat-of-the-pants feel that boosts the driver's confidence.
Acceleration
The turbo four-cylinder's instant-on low-end torque makes this engine terrific. Acceleration around town or at highway cruising speeds is effortless. The eight-speed automatic is smooth and smart, holding gears nicely when it needs to.
Braking
In our panic-stop brake test, the Gran Turismo posted average results. For typical use, we found the brakes to be predictably linear and highly effective in most situations, with no detectable fade after hard driving and no grabbiness in daily driving.
Steering
Excellent feedback through the wheel with natural weighting. It's not as precise as BMW's previous hydraulic setup, but it's exceptionally good as far as electric-assist systems go. This car goes exactly where you point it.
Handling
Partially due to our test car's optional adaptive suspension dampers, this wagon-crossover-AWD thing still acts like a BMW. It's nimble and willing on curvy roads but forgiving and easy to drive on long highway slogs.
Drivability
The engine stop-start system is more intrusive than others and can shut off too quickly, such as when turning right on red. The gas pedal can be lurchy in Sport mode; Comfort mode replaces this with dullness. The cruise control is fantastic at holding a set speed.
Comfort
Especially with our test car's optional adaptive shock absorbers, the Gran Turismo deftly balances comfort and driving performance. It's remarkably quiet, too.
Seat comfort
The optional front sport seats have firm cushions, but seatback bolstering is substantial and the leather is grippy. The front armrests have good padding and are positioned well. The rear seat cushions are even firmer than the fronts, and the seatback angle is a bit too upright.
Ride comfort
With the hard sidewalls of the standard run-flat tires, no one will call the GT cushy. But the optional adaptive suspension helps greatly. Smaller ripples can find their way into the cabin, but the big bumps stay out.
Noise & vibration
Other than obvious tire noise when driving over expansion joints, this is a truly quiet car with nearly zero wind noise. The engine isn't as smooth as BMW's classic six-cylinder. At higher speeds, some engine noise does creep into the cabin.
Climate control
The dual-zone climate control has simple dials and buttons, and in typical BMW fashion, everything is easy for the driver or front passenger to reach.
Interior
High-quality materials combine with a thoughtful, if plain, design to earn this car top scores. The small interior cubbies and bins could be of some concern, but the Gran Turismo makes up for this with laudable cargo capacity.
Ease of use
Well-organized controls are easy to use, and the iDrive infotainment system is quite intuitive despite its complex menus. The rocker switch to alter the drive modes is conveniently located next to the gear selector, where it's easy to see and access.
Getting in/getting out
The front doors open wide, and there's little risk of hitting your head on the roof. There also isn't anything to catch your feet up on. The rear doors are small but open nearly 90 degrees. The entryway isn't large, so you have to duck a bit to get in and out.
Driving position
A standard tilt-and-telescoping steering column and highly adjustable seats allow just about anyone to find a comfortable driving position. And because of the GT's extra rear legroom, taller drivers won't feel bad stretching out.
Roominess
Front headroom and door-side elbow room are more than adequate. Rear headroom is tight due to the sloping roof, but the GT has 4.1 inches more rear legroom than the 3 Series sedan, and that's a difference your passengers will notice.
Visibility
The windshield pillars get thick toward the bottom, causing some sideview obstruction. The left-side, over-the-shoulder lane check is problematic, as is the big rear three-quarter blind spot.
Quality
The GT is solidly built and boasts excellent materials and precise engineering. No gimmicks. However, we did notice one occasional dash rattle in our test car.
Utility
Another strong suit for the Gran Turismo. There's a shortage of handy nooks for stashing smaller items (a typical BMW shortcoming), but the 3 Series GT compensates with its capacious and user-friendly cargo hold.
Small-item storage
As in many BMWs, small-item storage space isn't generous. There's a tiny front bin and a small center bin, and the cupholders lack anti-tip features. Minimalism can be beautiful, but in this case it comes at the expense of convenience.
Cargo space
You'll find helpful pull handles in the trunk to drop the rear seatbacks. The 24.6-cubic-foot trunk is narrow but deep, with a perfect loading height. The liftgate opens high for ample head clearance.
Technology
Our experiences with the new iDrive 6.0 system in other BMWs have been primarily positive. The menus can be rather extensive, but iDrive offers a convenient way to navigate through them. Apple CarPlay is also a welcome option, and the active driver aids are better than most.
Which 3 Series Gran Turismo does Edmunds recommend?
The turbocharged four-cylinder engine powering the 330i is sufficiently powerful as well as fuel-efficient. It's the engine we'd recommend, even though the turbo inline six-cylinder in the 340i is quite a gem. A downside of the Gran Turismo (and many other BMW models) is an odd lack of some key standard features. Add the Convenience package at the very least to get keyless entry and power lumbar support. And for iPhone users, you can forgo the expensive navigation option and opt for Apple CarPlay.
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
2018 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo models
The 2018 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo is available in two trim levels: 330i xDrive and 340i xDrive. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission come standard on both. The main difference is under the hood. The 330i packs a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (248 horsepower, 258 pound-feet of torque) and the 340i upgrades to a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder (320 hp, 330 lb-ft).
The Gran Turismo 330i xDrive isn't brimming with standard luxuries, but it does include 18-inch alloy wheels (with all-season run-flat tires), LED headlights, automatic wipers, power-folding and auto-dimming side mirrors, a panoramic sunroof and a power liftgate. Interior highlights include dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable sport front seats, driver-seat memory settings, simulated leather upholstery, a rearview camera, 40/20/40-split folding rear seatbacks and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. On the technology front, the 330i comes standard with Bluetooth, BMW's iDrive infotainment interface, a 6.5-inch display screen, BMW Connected Services, and a nine-speaker audio system with a CD player, HD radio, an auxiliary audio jack and a USB port.
An optional Convenience package (note that BMW calls its packages "tiers") adds keyless ignition and entry, power lumbar support and satellite radio.
The 340i xDrive has the above equipment plus the Convenience package as standard.
Selecting the Premium package for either model adds heated front seats, a navigation system, a larger 8.8-inch display, a head-up display, and BMW Remote Services, allowing for remote controlled functions through the mobile app.
The next level up is the Executive tier. It includes a surround-view parking camera system, adaptive full LED headlights with automatic high beams, leather upholstery, a digital instrument cluster and BMW's Parking Assistant, which helps guide you into parking spaces.
You can add the M Sport Design package to either of the top two tiers. It offers a variety of sport-themed interior trim treatments, an aerodynamic body kit, BMW's Shadowline exterior trim, an M steering wheel, and an option to add the Adaptive M suspension.
For added safety, consider the Driver Assistance package. It includes lane departure warning, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a drowsy driver warning system and a speed-limit display.
Stand-alone options for the Gran Turismo include 19-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, Apple CarPlay, and wireless charging with a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 330i xDrive 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.51 per gallon for premium unleaded in Tennessee.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo from 2008-2022.
$649/yr
vs. $607/yr for Average Luxury Midsize Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).
0.98x/yr
vs. 1.36x/yr for Average Luxury Midsize Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).
12.5%
vs. 10.5% for Average Luxury Midsize Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
2016 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 328i xDrive SULEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
Previous car was a 328 Xi. The Gran Tourismo gives you LOTS more room front and especially rear seats for long legged passengers. Handling is comfy in standard "old folks" mode easy on your butt, however with the sport package option, press a button and steering, transmission and suspension kick in to provide that old familiar handling performance I knew with the previous BMW. For people … who like to throw a bunch of stuff in the back of their car, this is perfect. This is a car I plan on keeping for a long time.
Totally love my GT!!
5 out of 5 stars
Thomas, 06/18/2017
2016 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 328i xDrive SULEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
I have nothing to say but positive things about my GT [HTML removed]. I've had it for a bit over 2 1/2 years and I still love driving it. I find reasons to drive it. "Oh honey, I forgot something at Home Depot." "Honey, do you want something from the store? I'll go get it." Not only is it quick (0-60 in 6 seconds is no slouch) but I have hauled a 50 gallon water tank, a 12.5" … compound miter saw and portable stand, and a 9.9 cu/ft refrigerator and still closed the hatch. Sure it does not accelerate or handle like the 4-series Gran Coupe but it is a whole lot easier for me to get in and out of (6'1" and 260 lbs) and more comfortable. My dealership (BMW of Ontario, CA) is also FANTASTIC. Great sales and support team.
At just over 5.5 years and +108k miles, I still LOVE my GT.
Just hit 6 years and +112k miles and she is still a dream to drive and look at.
Easy To Miss This Great Choice
4 out of 5 stars
F. Stephen Masek, 02/08/2018
2017 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 340i xDrive 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
This is a model many might not know exists, but it would be the best choice for many people. The somewhat raised four door design makes entry and exist easier, without it being a jacked-up SUV. Hatchbacks are far more useful than sedans, and this one is a fine looking car which can carry all kinds of things. The rear seat has much greater than expected leg room for what is still a … compact car. The inline 6 gets excellent fuel economy and so is smooth and powerful that there is no reason to cheat yourself out of enjoying it. The navigation system is easy to use and excellent in every way, putting the one in our 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee to shame. Even the LED headlights are excellent. With so many things done right, the omission of sliding sun visors is difficult to understand. I fixed that by buying Visormates tm. Ventilated seats and radar cruise control are also missing features which should be standard.
In its own class
5 out of 5 stars
Richard Wilson, 06/24/2016
2016 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 328i xDrive SULEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
Practical aspects of a SUV while still as sleek as a sedan. Cofortable and quiet. Lots of rear seat leg room and flexible storage space. Fun to drive. Lots to learn with all the gadgets. If you don't get the various packages built to your specifications (2-3 months), then have to compromise on what's available - not a lot of these around - in its niche class.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, so we've included reviews for other years of the 3 Series Gran Turismo since its last redesign.
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