BMW 3 Series GT (2013-2020) Review | heycar

If there’s one thing that the big German premium manufactures love to do, it is creating a new niche. That’s why they have some of the widest proliferation of models. Let’s look at BMW 3 Series GT review.

Just look at the current BMW line-up, with six sizes of SUV alongside hatches, saloons, estates, coupes and convertibles. Somewhere in there appeared the BMW 3 Series GT (or Gran Turismo, to give it its full title), that took the 5 Series GT as inspiration and created something approaching a hatchback that was bigger than a Touring but looked almost nothing like it.

BMW never called it a hatchback of course, but that’s the easiest way to explain what it is. The BMW 3 Series GT was 20cm longer than the 3 Series Touring as well as 8cm taller, but crucially its wheelbase – the distance between the front and rear wheels – was a massive 11cm longer than the Touring. 

That meant that as well as offering more boot space, the space in the rear for passengers was significantly increased. And, let’s not forget, the lack of space for passengers in the back of the standard BMW 3 Series has been a long-standing complaint from buyers.

What that meant was that the BMW 3 Series GT looked quite different from the other 3 Series models. The good news was that it was a lot better-looking than the 5 Series GT, but the bad news is that it’s nowhere near as good looking as a standard 3 Series. Not quite a hatchback, not quite a coupe, the 3 GT was more of a fastback. But whether that was what buyers really wanted is another matter altogether.

As with the regular BMW 3 Series models, the GT was offered with a plethora of engine options and specifications. The 320i and 328i petrols actually share the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine but have different power outputs (187PS and 248PS,. respectively). Meanwhile, top of the range 335i is a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with 308PS.

Two diesel powerplants are available, both are 2.0-litre four-cylinder units, with the 318d offering 144PS and the 320d 185PS. Drivers can choose from either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The driving experience is, as you’d expect, very similar to that of the BMW 3 Series saloon and Touring models, with a few key differences. What you still get with the BMW 3 Series GT is a sense that this is a car that has been designed to be good to drive, with accurate and responsive steering as well as a good balance between ride and handling. The downside is that the taller body causes more bodyroll through corners – but at least it rides a bit better than some of its siblings.

Taken in isolation the BMW 3 Series GT is a very capable and somewhat attractive car, with impressive amounts of space, comfort and driving pleasure. The problem is that it answers a question that few buyers asked. For most drivers, the BMW 3 Series saloon and Touring models would undoubtedly be the better choice.

If you’re looking for the classic version, you need our BMW 3 Series Review.