BMW prides itself in creating the premium estate market, with the E30 version of the 3 Series more than 25 years ago.

While shapes and sizes have changed a tad over the decades, there has been a constant - the German manufacturer has sold around 8,500 of its 3 Series Touring models every year since then.

The latest generation, which hit the streets last autumn, is not only the best looking but also the most practical.

While some folk may be lured towards a Touring on style alone, the majority head down the estate route because they've got stuff to shift.

You can certainly do that in the 3 Series, which may look identical to its saloon stablemate up to the B pillar - or front half - but with a sweeping silhouette it's an appreciably longer car.

Upshot is better access to the rear seats where there is now 17mm extra knee room and 9mm more headroom.

With a low loading sill that's protected by a stainless steel strip, the Touring offers 35 litres more capacity than the previous generation model, giving it the best carrying volume in its class.

The rear seats also have a 40:20:40 split, with load-through hole in the centre, and with the seats folded there's 1,500 litres of carrying space and a near level load floor.

Standard kit includes securing lugs, a pair of coat hooks, a luggage net and strap plus a deep storage compartment plus an electrically powered split boot which can also be opened by a kick under the bumper when your hands are full.

A large through-loading hole in the centre can accommodate skis or snow boards while four occupants are travelling in the car, so practicality is pretty near guaranteed.

While there's a full engine line-up, the 3.0-litre diesel in the tested 330d - mated to the new eight-speed automatic gearbox including sports option with gearshift paddles on the steering wheel - is a stormer.

The straight six engine produces a hefty 258bhp, enough to reach 62mph from rest in 5.6 seconds, yet still achieves an average 55.4mpg.

It's an accomplished and precise car to drive, even heavily laden, thanks to an electromechanical power steering system that only operates when steering assistance is actually required.

And BMW's Efficient Dynamics initiative means the 330d comes with automatic start-stop, brake energy regeneration and the brand's ECO PRO function which shows additional mileage the car has returned over and above the official figure.

In Luxury trim grade there's a raft of standard kit, yet BMW still has plenty in the options bin to test the resolve of its customers.

In fact the demonstration model included no less than 25 individual extra cost options - from Adaptive M Sport suspension at £750 and a head-up display at £800 to sun protection glass at £235 and a visibility package at £925.