Our BMW plug-in hybrid estate gets tested on the family staycation. Martyn Collins reports.

P11d (BiK): £44,265 (11%) MPG/CO2: 156mpg/176g/km Test MPG: 30mpg

300 miles. That’s the combined electric and petrol range I had, as I left home bleary-eyed at 4am. The destination? Cornwall for our family holiday, which according to the BMW’s excellent sat-nav, was 288 miles away – so could I get away without refuelling?

First thing to make a strong impression were the 330e’s Laser Lights, which are not only powerful but follow the steering line, giving me more confidence on poorly-lit roads. More surprises on the trip revolved around the ride, on the M Sport Adaptive suspension. So far, I’d found it a bit on the stiff side, but it proved impressively comfortable on this long drive. Maybe it was the extra weight of the fully loaded 495-litre boot?

On the road, performance remained sharp, yet this BMW didn’t munch through all its electric power and I was pleasantly surprised when in fact we arrived with 88 miles of combined range remaining.