The recent holiday season marked the perfect time for a road trip and I took the G20 BMW 330e Plug-In Hybrid for a four-hour drive to the Desaru Coast, Johor. To the uninitiated, this particular vehicle is the seventh version of the BMW 3 series – the best looking yet in my opinion – and has a fantastic presence on the road. Allow me to elaborate.
Generally, the G20 comes with a four-cylinder turbocharged engine, offering 180 horsepower. That, when combined with the electric motor can further produce up to 249 horsepower, which can then be elevated with the XtraBoost mode that’ll generate up to 289 horsepower for only 10 seconds. This allows ease of overtaking on the highway, not to mention, extreme comfort during high-speed cruising.
Making safety its utmost priority, the 330e is equipped with the latest BMW technology, such as ultrasonic sensors that monitor the surrounding area to assist you with any hazards around the vehicle. This is extremely helpful to guide you with blind spots when changing lanes.
In terms of design and interior, the car’s finish and quality is top-notch and looks even more solid than those of previous models. The G20 is equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen that can support Apple and Android wirelessly and seamlessly. The car also features a 12-inch digital dashboard screen, which is a step up from the standard analogue from previous models, featuring a high-speed alert when the driver’s going too fast.
While this vehicle isn’t the roomiest of sedans, it does provide ample knee room in the front and back seats and is suitable for a small family. There are no complaints in terms of comfort and my four-year-old son slept peacefully throughout the long drive.
Zooming in on its EV feature, the switch between petrol and electric is seamless – you won’t even notice it, really. Its 12-kilowatt battery requires between three to five hours of charging time and can take you up to 66km at a maximum speed of 109km/h on just electricity. What’s really handy is that you can set the battery level when you drive and the car will adjust and charge the battery to meet your target. Overall verdict: at the price of RM268,800 (on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of the full sales and service tax (SST)), it’s the best all-rounder you can buy today.
