CROSSING THE LINE

Can the sports-sedan-turned-limo 3 Series run rings around an actual luxury sedan whose only job is to pamper you?

- SHIVANK BHATT

Be it pandemic outbreaks or new automotive trends, China always seems to be at the forefront of it all. Take the leg-stretching long-wheelbase luxury sedans, for instance. The Chinese were the first to demand the 'L' badged cars, and over time, they've become so popular that they are now spreading to other parts of the world, including India.

A case in point is the 3 Series Gran Limousine or the 3 GL, which debuted in India in 2021. Fast forward to 2023, the stretched 3 Series has now received a mild makeover. The bigger news, however, is that BMW has now done away with the regular 3 Series.

With the 3 GL as your only option in the regular 3 Series line-up, it seems that BMW now cares and caters more to the needs of backseat occupants than hardcore sports sedan purists - at least, on paper. And it's truly punching above its weight on this front. The question, however, is - is it worth saving a few lakhs by opting for this stretched limo instead of a tailor-made luxury sedan that's got all the bases of luxury and comfort covered? We brought the sleek Lexus ES300h into the scene to find out.

PRESTIGE VS PIZZAZ