Used test: BMW 3 Series Touring vs Range Rover Evoque

The contenders

BMW 3 Series Touring 320d xDrive M Sport

List price when new £41,325
Price today £21,000*
Available from 2019-present

It may be great to drive and plush inside, but is the 3 Series Touring as practical as its SUV rival?

Range Rover Evoque D180 S

List price when new £39,015
Price today £21,000*
Available from 2019-present

As the smallest (and most affordable) offspring of the flagship Range Rover, the Evoque has bags of luxury

*Price today is based on a 2020 model with average mileage and full service history, correct at time of writing

In the 2023 film Barbie, our title character urges Ken to stop letting his possessions define who he is – a valuable piece of advice. On the other hand, this message is somewhat contradicted by persistent product placement throughout the rest of the film. It's almost saying "Don't be materialistic, but you really must buy this!"

Our point is this: at the end of the day, people like their luxuries, especially when it comes to cars. For example, would the Range Rover Evoque have been such a runaway success without its flash badge and mini-me Range Rover philosophy? 

And what about the BMW 3 Series Touring? Not everyone likes a posh SUV, with many preferring a premium estate car. Sure, you could say it lacks the Hollywood appeal of the Evoque, but it still looks plenty plush, inside and out. 

And, if you're open to both options, then you're in luck because coming up is a comparison just for you. We've gathered four-year-old versions of each – saving you around £20,000 off new – to find a winner.

Driving

Performance, ride, handling, refinement

Both of our contenders use 2.0-litre f0ur-cylinder diesel engines, with the Touring's putting out 187bhp and the Evoque's 178bhp. However, despite the pair's similar figures, the Touring is the quicker car by a significant margin. Against out stopwatch, the Touring managed 0-60mph in 7.2sec and the Evoque 9.5sec.

Mind you, it's worth keeping in mind that the Evoque offers adequate performance for everyday driving, whether that be in and around town or on the motorway. It simply lacks the zip of the Touring when you plant your right foot. 

It's a similar story when you reach a set of corners, with the Evoque proving capable, grippy and confidence-inspiring enough, yet still no match for the Touring: the BMW is easily the sharper and more engaging car to drive, bolstered by a lesser amount of body lean. Then again, perhaps that's not surprising, because the Touring is like a low-slung sports car next to the Tonka Toy Evoque. 

Another reason it's unsurprising is that the Touring has a firmer ride. It generally cushions bumps well, but driving over a broken road, particularly at low speeds, can be jarring – as a side note, ride comfort improves if you avoid the M Sport trim and its sports suspension. On such a surface, the Evoque will still rock you around in your seat, but it's less intense. 

Our pair are both quiet cruisers, keeping engine, road and wind noise to a minimum, even on the motorway. The Touring manages to be slightly more hushed in general, though. 

It's worth noting that, like the Evoque, the Touring is available with four-wheel drive (as we have here), although you'll have to seek out one of these 'xDrive' models to get it. Otherwise, the car is rear-wheel drive. In either form, there's good traction and grip. 

Next: What are they like inside? >>

Page 1 of 4