2017 BMW 330i Road Test and Review

2017 BMW 3 Series centerstack ・ Photo by BMW Media

Customers looking for a compact sport sedan will want to check out the 2017 BMW 330i. The competition has been chasing BMW’s 3 Series almost since the first model appeared in 1975. Today, the lineup retains the nimble dynamics and German engineering of its predecessors, but with today's innovative technologies and premium luxuries.  As for the 330i, it’s a new-for-2017 model that counts a new turbo engine, fresh exterior accents, and mobile Wi-Fi connectivity among its many benefits. (The 2017 BMW 330i, for the record, replaces the 2016 BMW 328i.)

2017 BMW 330i Pricing

Customers have to compare pricing particularly carefully when shopping German sport sedans. For instance, although the 2017 BMW 330i is $50 more costly than a comparable Audi A4 Premium Plus, it has standard rear-wheel drive whereas the A4 is a more mainstream front-wheel-drive design. Meanwhile, the MSRP of the 330i—$38,750—is a not inconsiderable $750 less than the starting point for a Mercedes-Benz C300. The difference in performance between the two is noticeablea, too, since the 330i can dash to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, a half-second more quickly than the C300. Also worth noting: The Mercedes under discussion is the entry C-Class; BMW sells a 320i sport sedan for $33,450.

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Power, Performance, Fuel Efficiency

This model debuts a new TwinPower Turbo engine for the 3 Series: a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with the automaker’s cutting-edge fuel-injection and valve technologies. This helps squeeze 248 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque from the engine, for a surprisingly good mix of performance and fuel economy. On one hand, the 330i can hit 60 mph in 5.6 seconds with its standard 6-speed manual transmission (or only 5.5 seconds with an optional 8-speed automatic). Yet its standard EPA  fuel-efficiency ratings are 21 mpg city/32 mpg highway/25 mpg combined; with the automatic transmission, that EPA line improves to 23/34/27. And with the 330i's sophisticated suspension, the driving dynamics of this BMW sport sedan are dynamic indeed.

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Exterior Design and Lighting

Smoot and fast-looking, the 2017 BMW 330i boasts subtle flowing lines, a powerful hood, and standard LED foglights. Light-tube LED daytime running lights are available to accent the 330i’s halogen headlights, and those, of course, bracket the latest iteration of BMW’s classic “kidney grille.” For modern touches, the 330i wears matte-chrome exterior trim and 17-inch double-spoke alloy wheels. The rear of the BMW is then distinguished by two-piece LED taillights with integrated LED brake lights. Also, the standard side mirrors are heated. Many packages for the 330i serve up a variety of visual enhancements, such as the aero body kit and 18-inch “Star” design wheels of the M Sport bundle.

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Interior Design and Capacities

The 2017 BMW 330i pampers its driver with a premium interior that features a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel and 10-way power-adjustable front sport seats. All seats feature BMW’s “SensaTec” upholstery, and designers offer three no-charge color themes: black, black with red stitching, and a new, lighter shade called Venetian Beige. Similarly, four trim combinations are furnished for the 330i cabin—including burl walnut wood with “Pearl Gloss” chrome—and there are seven available leather themes. Heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel, are among the top interior options. The 330i also has an unexpected cargo advantage over mainstream compacts, thanks to a 17-cubic-foot trunk that’s larger than those for the Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic. The 330i’s rear seat backs (split 40/20/40) can be folded forward to expand that space.

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Infotainment and Audio Technology

Naturally, the 2017 BMW 330i comes standard with the automaker’s iDrive system, in this case with a 6.5-inch infotainment display mounted atop the dashboard. With this technology, owners don’t have to fuss with a touchscreen. Instead, there’s a controller mounted on the center console near the gear shift, within easy reach of the driver. Also standard in the 330i is Bluetooth connectivity for handsfree calling and audio streaming, plus a premium audio setup with nine speakers, a 205-watt amplifier, and HD Radio. Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system, navigation, and even mobile Wi-Fi are on the options menu—and that Wi-Fi setup comes with a wireless charging pocket for phones and a 3-gig trial data plan for three months.

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Safety Technology and Ratings

As a group, BMW's 3 Series sedans have earned a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating from the NHTSA, and the 2017 330i bolsters that performance with standard protection features like Dynamic Cruise Control and automatic crash notifications. But there’s also plenty of premium driver-assistance measures available as well. The BMW Driver Assistance Packages have a rearview camera, sonar-enabled parking sensors, an active blind-spot monitor, side- and top-view cameras, enhanced Active Cruise Control and the BMW Active Driving Assistant. That latter feature itself pulls together lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic braking. BMW’s Parking Assistant is a key standalone option, for automatic parking capability. (Many of the packaged safety technologies also are offered on their own.)

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Other Cool Information

As impressive as the 2017 BMW 330i is, some buyers might want all the same benefits in a slightly more versatile package. For these folks, BMW has two choices: the BMW 330i xDrive Sports Wagon and the BMW 330i xDrive Gran Turismo. Both are similar to the sedans, but the wagon—obviously—has a large rear cargo hold; the Gran Turismo, with a rakish rear roof line and handy liftgate, splits the difference between the two. Getting down to the details, the Sports Wagon can fit 27.5 cubic feet of gear behind its rear seats and 61.5 cubic feet with those back seats folded. The Gran Turismo delivers 24.6 cubic feet of space in its standard configuration, along with 56.8 when its rear seatbacks are folded. Moreover, as you might have guessed from that “xDrive” identifier, these two body styles are available only with the brand’s all-wheel-drive technology—which is optional for the 330i sedan.

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2017 BMW 330i: Available Equipment

Buyers also can partake from a wide range of performance- and design-boosting packages for the 2017 BMW 330i, including a dedicated Track Handling Package. Engineered to emphasize the car’s already advanced road reflexes, this bundle brings with it a multi-mode Adaptive M Suspension with electronically controlled dampers. Complementing that system are BMW’s Variable Sport Steering system, M Sport brakes with blue calipers, and Michelin Pilot Super Sport performance tires that were designed just for the 3 Series. Customers who prefer a custom look for the 330i also can order a two-way power moonroof, M-style bumper stripes, M Performance side-sill decals, black and silver M Performance side stripes, stainless-steel pedals, and a real carbon-fiber rear spoiler.

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Final Thoughts

Though the BMW 3 Series has been overtaken by its Mercedes rivals in sales, the real rivalry in the compact sport-sedan segment isn’t necessarily a popularity contest. In fact, there’s something to be said about owning a car you don’t see around every corner. Beyond that, the segment’s all about performance, premium comforts, and technology, and then maybe a little bit more performance.

The 2017 BMW 330i provides all of that and a whole lot more, including even a 330e plug-in hybrid variant that has a 14-mile all-electric driving range (and a total range of 350 miles). Fun to drive and featuring an impeccable pedigree, the 2017 BMW 3 Series may be the easy choice in the segment, but for many folks it's also the right one.

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