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The BMW X3 may have the looks of an off-roader, but its heart lies firmly with on-road driving fun and excitement. It’s an approach that works ideally for BMW as the X3 is the best in its class when to comes to handling precision, accurate steering, and just enjoying the drive as you head down any sort of road with twists, turns and elevation changes.
This third generation of BMW X3 has been around since 2018 and is a handsome car, moving away from the slightly gawky looks of the previous models. An update in 2022 helped keep the X3 among the best cars in the class, alongside the likes of the Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLC. While it’s not got the off-road ability of a Land Rover Discovery Sport, the BMW does come with four-wheel drive as standard in all models, so it’s sure-footed on wet roads. However, the X3 is not going to work for anyone who lives in the back of beyond and needs to traverse wild terrain.
What you will experience in the BMW is a cabin with plenty of room for five plus luggage, but no seven-seat configuration. There’s an excellent infotainment touchscreen and dash set-up, too, with the former operated by BMW’s superb iDrive controller. The mix of materials inside the X3 is a real highlight, along with the build quality, which helps offset prices that are steeper than some of its rivals.
As for power in the BMW X3, you have a choice of petrol, diesel, or petrol-electric hybrid. The plug-in hybrid model comes with more power than the larger diesel engine yet emits about a third of the diesel’s carbon dioxide emissions, which makes this hybrid a very attractive proposition for company car drivers.
One of the first things you’ll notice as you get into the BMW X3’s driving seat is the quality of the materials, fit and finish. It’s not just where your hands naturally come into contact with the car, either, as every surface, button and switch has the touch of quality. This feeling permeates the whole of the X3’s interior and lends it the air of a car that should cost more, which contributes towards you feeling very good about choosing this particular family-sized SUV.
Being an SUV, the X3 places its driver higher up from the road than an estate car. However, this is still a BMW so the driver feels very connected to the X3’s controls rather than feeling perched on the car as you do in some others in this sector. You can adjust the driving position with manual levers, or with electric operation in the M40i that also comes with seat position memory function. Along with the steering column that adjusts for height and reach, and well-shaped seats in all models, the X3 is a very comfortable place to settle into. The only downside is lumbar adjustment is an option on all models rather than included in the price.
With the seat set correctly, you find the main dials directly in front of the driver and clear to read. The display is set in the classic BMW twin round dial layout with digital clocks, which look good and work well. You can scroll through various menus and functions with steering wheel buttons. These also allow for hands-free use of your phone, which is connected via Bluetooth. Further over in the centre of the dash, the heating and ventilation is worked by a mix of rotary dials and buttons, which is ideal as it’s easy to adjust while driving. There’s also lots of storage gathered around the driver in the door bin and centre console.
In the centre console is also where you’ll find the iDrive controller to operate the infotainment system. All BMW X3s now use a large 12.3-inch touchscreen monitor, but we find it’s easier to use the iDrive rotary dial that works in the same way as a computer mouse to scroll and click through menus as it feels much more intuitive. It’s also quick to react to inputs, so you’re not diverting your eyes from the road ahead for longer than necessary to find what you need. The screen’s resolution is very high and crisp, too.
BMW offers up plenty of space for anyone travelling in the back of the X3. It has plenty of room for heads, legs and shoulders for up to three adults, while kids who find themselves back here will find the low window line affords a decent view out. All three rear occupants have a triple-point seat belt, and there are Isofix mounts in the two outer rear seats. You can also opt for the Comfort Pack that brings reclining seats for added luxury. Small door bins and netted pockets take care of storage back here.
With no seven-seat option for the X3, the boot is a generous size and has 550-litres to swallow plenty of cases or shopping bags. The plug-in hybrid model has a smaller boot due to the battery placed under the rear floor, so you have to make do with 450-litres, which is still plenty for most needs. When you require more cargo capacity, the 40-20-40 split and tip rear seat fold down at the tug of the levers set into the side of the boot. When toppled forwards, the boot has a maximum volume of 1600-litres, or slightly less with the plug-in hybrid. As you’d expect of a car in this sector, the tailgate has remote powered opening and closing, and there’s no lip where the floor meets the rear bumper.
BMW prides itself on making cars that set the standard for driver enjoyment in whatever class they compete. The X3 is no different in this respect and it delivers a level of engagement and fun you won’t find in many others. However, it also still manages to come up with the goods when thoughts turn to matters of comfort. For those who want the cushiest ride in an X3, the xLine trim is the best bet as it has a suspension set-up that favours suppleness over outright handling ability, though it remains superbly agile through corners and has excellent steering feel from the standard Variable Sport Steering used in all X3s.
The M Sport trim brings a firmer feel to the suspension of the X3, but it’s still more than adept at filtering out most upsets in the road surface. You can opt for the adaptive suspension, which is not a cheap extra but gives you a choice of suspension set-ups that range from supremely comfortable to almost roll-free sports car. There’s also the M40i and M40d models come with a unique lower, firmer setting to reflect their sporting outlook, and there’s a bespoke version of the adaptive suspension option for these two cars as well.
When it comes to engine choice, the 360hp M40i and M40d with 340hp both cover off 0-62mph in the same 4.9 seconds and have their top speeds restricted to 155mph. Each can overtake slower traffic extremely swiftly, leaving you exposed on the other side of the road for less time. On a back road, these six-cylinder engines are a delight to use and turn the X3 into a serious sports car.
Slightly less frantic performance can be found in the xDrive30d model that has a 286hp 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine. It covers 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds, so it’s no slouch, while the 190hp 2.0-litre diesel model still feels brisk and, like the other engines in the range, is very refined at all speeds. Petrol fans can pick the 2.0-litre motor with 184hp, which uses the same eight-speed automatic gearbox as all X3 models. Or, you could have the plug-in hybrid X3 with 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor delivering 292hp and 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds.
BMW equips the X3 in all versions with a reasonable level of driver aids. This means you get automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist and front collision warning, which are all part of the Active Guard Plus pack included as standard. If you want to add to this, there’s the option of the Driving Assistant Professional pack that comes with active cruise control, cross traffic alert, lane change assist, and traffic light recognition among its features.
The starting point for the BMW X3 range is the xDrive20i xLine model that costs from £45,585. To upgrade to M Sport trim adds £1800 to that price. An xDrive20d xLine starts at £46,570 and stepping up to the M Sport version comes with the same £1800 premium. The 3.0-litre diesel engine is only offered in M Sport and M40d trims, costing £54,080 and £61,590 respectively. The M40i comes in at £62,065, or there’s the Competition version from £89,070. If a plug-in hybrid is more your thing, the xDrive30e in xLine trim begins at £53,730 or the M Sport for £55,530. Shopping around could save you up to £4000 on a new X3, while nearly new examples can be had with around 5000 miles for £5000 less than a new car. Go for a three-year old X3 with average miles and a 2.0-litre diesel xLine will cost from about £29,500.
When it comes to equipment, the xLine times comes as standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, and electrically operated tailgate. You also get cruise control, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, and Performance Control for the plug-in hybrid models. Inside, it has heated seats, air conditioning, and man-made leather upholstery. Move to the M Sport and you’ll get different alloy wheels, front sports seats, leather upholstery, and M Sport steering wheel. The M models have 21-inch wheels, electrically adjusted front seats with position memory, and an anthracite headlining.
The X3 that’s best for fuel economy is the xDrive30e plug-in hybrid that offers a combined figure of 134.5mpg. It has carbon dioxide emissions as low as 46g/km and can drive on electric power alone for up to 30.45 miles. With the diesels, the 2.0-litre engine delivers an average consumption of 47.9mpg along with 154g/km of CO2 output, while the 3.0-litre gives 44.8mpg and 164g/km in the M Sport model, or 40.9mpg and 181g/km for the M40d. With the 2.0-litre petrol, you can expect 37.2mpg in the xLine and 36.7mpg for the M Sport, with 173- and 175g/km respectively. The M40i comes with a combined consumption of 31.0mpg and 206g/km emissions.
It’s no great surprise to learn the BMW X3 heads its class when it comes to the way it drives. It’s agile where most others feel their weight and size, and the X3 steers with a level of driver engagement you’d more normally associate with a sports saloon. However, none on this comes at the expense of driving comfort, ride quality or refinement. As a result, the X3 adds up to a very impressive car to cover long distances in, and the plug-in hybrid model makes a solid case for use around town thanks to a reasonable all-electric range.
The X3 also has a very well made and sumptuous cabin. The entry-point xLine does without leather upholstery, but it still has the same generous amount of space as the other X3 models. Some will miss a third row of seats in this BMW, but the upside is a large boot to make it a very practical SUV.
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Every bit as classy and appealing as the BMW, the Audi Q5 matches its German counterpart in almost every area. It’s good to drive, though not quite as sharp in the corners, and it comes with a range of engines that includes a plug-in hybrid model. The outside might seem a little bland for some tastes, but there’s no quibbling about the superb quality and space inside the Q5. Only the firm ride on cars fitted with larger wheel options lets the side down for this family SUV.
While the Kia might not quite have the prestige of the BMW in some eyes, it’s hard to ignore this handsome and stylish SUV. It comes with seven seats as standard, which gives it an advantage over the X3 straight away, and the cabin is very flexible for mixing people and loads. It’s also very well equipped, comfortable and good to drive, plus there’s the option of a plug-in hybrid version. You also get Kia’s superb warranty cover for peace of mind, so the Sorento is certainly a car to consider.
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If you want a family SUV that gets on terms with the BMW X3 for driving talent, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is one of the few to choose. It has handling that entertains every time you arrive at a corner, and the steering has plenty of feel to let you know what’s going on with the front wheels. However, the brake pedal has a slightly odd weight and the interior is not as well put together. On a positive note, the Stelvio has a five-star Euro NCAP rating and roomy cabin, as well as a very good 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine.
