The recently refreshed BMW 320d Touring takes on the Audi A4 Avant and Volvo V60. Which of the three ‘premium’ family members shines the most?
The appearance of the BMW 3 Series is more energetic than before. This also applies to the 320d Touring, especially with the optional M Sport package.
Design
The Audi A4 Avant, although it has been on the market for seven years, does not really show its age, it looks harmonious and timeless. And the Volvo V60 looks even better in direct comparison: a design masterpiece from every perspective.
The facelift brought the BMW a new interior, especially the Curved Display, a combination of a 12.3-inch instrument screen and a 14.9-inch touch screen with a bright look, a wealth of functions and extensive menus. And it’s a good thing BMW kept the iDrive controller in the center console, much as voice control works really well.
Audi designed the interior to be as timeless as the exterior. In this time it has dispensed with the MMI rotary button and the 10.1-inch touchscreen is used for many functions, but it is quite far from the driver. The screen, at least, has clear menus, and the additional control bar for the air conditioning is a wise move. You can feel the age of the Audi in the voice control, sketchy and somewhat outdated.
Interior comfort in the Audi, Volvo and BMW
The Volvo can do much better with its Google Android system. The 9-inch touchscreen with now highly organized menus is within easy reach at the bottom of the center console. Volvo has configured the V60 with clarity and sobriety, and a lot of style.
Accessories that will help you pass the ITV
These products are ideal if you think you are going to have problems passing the ITV of your car or motorcycle.
We love the tight sports seats, which are included in the package together with the elegant optional glass selector lever. The sports seats in the Audi are optional, but we also recommend them here: they are just the right shape and comfortably padded.
Also highly recommended are the BMW sports seats from the M sports package, with good grip and plenty of lateral support.
In the rear of the 3 Series, which is relatively narrow like the other two, you sit fairly low to the ground, but otherwise quite comfortable. In the second row of the V60 you sit even lower to the ground than in the BMW, and it can be uncomfortable for tall people. In the rear of the Audi, on the other hand, you sit higher than in the BMW, and it’s quite comfortable.
We liked less the loading threshold of two inches high in the Audi. The trunk swallows from 495 to 1495 liters, the A4 can load the most with 540 kilograms, in the BMW it is 497 kilograms and in the Volvo 467.
The boot of the 3 Series Touring holds from 500 to 1,510 litres, a nice Munich tradition is the independently opening window on the tailgate. The Volvo’s trunk packs from 495 to a maximum of 1407 liters, the cargo area is completely flat.
relatives engines
The V60 is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and 197 hp, plus 14 from E-Boost. It starts softly, then develops a little rougher and more present than the other two, but not very strong either.
The 204 PS 2.0-litre TDI in the A4 also comes with 12-volt mild-hybrid, runs smoothly and offers almost the best performance. The BMW has a 2.0-liter with 48-volt support that yields 190 hp plus 11 from the e-boost, it is a robust and powerful block, and always acoustically reserved.
Behavior
The optional eight-speed sports automatic is as always in top form, shifting sharp and determined. The test car was equipped with the adaptive M chassis including variable sports steering.
The energetic and tense chassis in motion; you have to be prepared for some basic toughness. BMW has designed the steering to match: direct and precise. Some people find that a little edgy, but that’s a matter of taste.
Like all current Volvos, this one is limited to 180 km/h. A conscious decision, of course. The eight-speed automatic in the V60 doesn’t react as quickly as the ZF in the BMW, but it handles stops and starts very well around town.
With its front-wheel drive and (too) soft, unresponsive steering, the Volvo V60 isn’t as easy to steer fast as the A4 and 3 Series, and it understeers more. And it’s the only one here without adaptive dampers, so the response on bumps is drier in comparison.
The A4 particularly surprises in this chapter, the chassis with damping control of the test car is optional, but well worth it. The Audi rolls smoothly, and filters through any potholes without flinching. The address works quickly and directly, although it provides somewhat less ‘feedback’ than in the BMW, which is also a matter of taste.
Factors to decide the purchase
Position 3: Volvo V60 B4. Elegant and practical family. Classy design, well-kept finishes, but expensive.
Place 2: Audi A4 Avant 40 TDI. Sophisticated and amazingly refined, with plenty of comfort.
Position 1: BMW 320d Touring. The renewed 3 Series is in top form. Dynamic behavior but not uncomfortable, excellent engine-transmission duo
