  A phenomenological analysis of the three-family model based on the local
gauge group $SU(3)_c\otimes SU(3)_L\otimes U(1)_X$ with exotic charged leptons,
is carried out. Instead of using the minimal scalar sector able to break the
symmetry in a proper way, we introduce an alternative set of four Higgs scalar
triplets, which combined with an anomaly-free discrete symmetry, produce quark
and charged lepton mass spectrum without hierarchies in the Yukawa coupling
constants. We also embed the structure into a simple group and show some
conditions to achieve a low gauge coupling unification, avoiding possible
conflict with proton decay bounds. By using experimental results from the
CERN-LEP, SLAC linear collider, and atomic parity violation data, we update
constraints on several parameters of the model.
