It's hard to quibble with the compact BMW 3 Series when it comes to things like performance, efficiency and build quality. The only area where you might have a valid complaint is room in the back for people and things. The 328 Gran Turismo addresses those shortcomings with its longer, taller body and versatile hatchback design.
What's New For 2015
The 328 Gran Turismo gets minor equipment updates only.
Choosing Your BMW 328 Gran Turismo
The Gran Turismo carries the middle engine in the BMW 3 Series, a turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder with 240 horsepower. You also get an eight-speed automatic transmission and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system standard. The Gran Turismo rides on a 115-inch wheelbase (it's 110.6 on other models) for increased rear legroom and cargo space. Seating and ride height are higher, but not so much that you feel like you're riding in an SUV.
Standard equipment includes power front seats with driver memory, a power liftgate, 17-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, HD radio, Bluetooth phone and audio, and wood or aluminum interior trim. You can upgrade to one of the three optional trim lines: Luxury, Sport and M Sport. The Luxury adds chrome grille bars and exhaust tips, multi-spoke wheels and specific interior trim. The Sport Line carries a firmer suspension, double-spoke wheels, gloss black grille bars and sporty interior accents. Building on the Sport, the M Sport gets star-spoke wheels, an aerodynamic body kit, sports seats and unique M Sport interior trim. The special wheels in every line measure 18 inches.
Any Gran Turismo can be outfitted with a variety of option packages. The Premium adds leather seating with power lumbar adjustments in front, keyless ignition and satellite radio. You get heated seats all around and a heated steering wheel with the Cold Weather package. The Technology package furnishes a hard drive-based navigation system, a high-resolution 8.8-inch dash display, integrated smartphone apps and a head-up display.
Turning to safety, the Driver Assistance package equips the 328 Gran Turismo with a rearview camera and front and rear parking sensors. A Plus version of the same also packs a driver alertness monitor, a surround-view camera system, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and an active collision mitigation system. Adaptive cruise control can also be added to the package. Finally, the Dynamic Handling package bundles the M Sport’s upgraded suspension with sport-tuned steering.
Major individual options include an automated parking system, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and enhanced keyless access with hands-free liftgate activation.
The Premium package would be first on our list of must-haves, if only to get the leather seats. If you want your Gran Turismo to handle as much like a 3 Series sedan as possible, the Dynamic Handling package is also essential.
Choose your BMW 328 Gran Turismo »