BMW 320d 2019 review: snapshot

At $67,900 before on-road costs, the 320d is the entry-point to the two model 3 Series launch range.

It’s powered by a 2.0-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine, featuring common-rail direct-injection and variable inlet timing. It produces 140kW at 4000rpm and 400Nm between 1750-2500rpm.

BMW says the 320d will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.8sec, yet it’s claimed to consume a miserly 4.5L/100km, emitting 119g/km of CO2 in the process.

The standard equipment list is long, including ‘Adaptive LED headlights’ (with ‘High-Beam Assistant’), LED fog lights and tail-lights, electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors (with electric fold-in function), rain-sensing wipers, three-zone climate control, electrically-adjustable sports front seats (with memory function for driver and front passenger), wireless smartphone charging, ‘Aluminium Tetragon’ interior trim finishers, 12.3-inch ‘BMW Live Cockpit Professional’ digital instrument display, ‘Navigation System Professional’ with 10.25-inch digital touchscreen display also managing a 10-speaker, 205-watt audio system, including a 20GB hard drive and DAB+ digital radio. Apple CarPlay is included.

Explore the 2019 BMW 3 Series Range

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Also included are ‘BMW TeleServices’ taking in ‘ConnectedDrive’(free use of vehicle apps via ‘BMW Online’), real-time traffic info and ‘Concierge Services’. The ‘BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant’ responds to a “Hey BMW’ voice command with a range of hands-free functions like nav, calls and texts. We had mixed success in challenging this friendly PA.

And the new 3 Series’ standard safety package is exactly where it needs to be, now including a swag of current active safety tech as well as eight airbags.

BMW offers a three year/unlimited km warranty, which is drifting off the pace now with the majority of mainstream brands stepping up to five-year cover, with some at seven.

On the upside, bodywork is covered for 12 years, the paint for three, and 24-hour roadside assistance is complimentary for three years.