BMW X3 review

What do the new BMW X3 and Deadpool & Wolverine have in common? If you identified that they both belong to families with an X in their name, congratulations – you win a gold star. But the real answer is that they’re both unstoppable blockbusters.

By being bold and branching out alone, Deadpool & Wolverine sliced through box office records, earning well over a billion dollars. Meanwhile, BMW's family SUV superhero, the X3, has sold more than 3.5 million units and counting.

Competition is hotting up though. The latest Mercedes GLC is a fierce competitor (especially in plug-in hybrid form), plus there's a new Audi Q5 around the corner, spoiling for a fight. Hence the X3, like a Marvel hero, has been forced to mutate.

So while the new, fourth-generation X3 sits on the same car platform as its predecessor, it's now longer, wider and lower, with a refreshed range of engines. The interior has had a complete overhaul too, adopting a new dashboard layout and the use of recycled materials. It’s like a mini BMW iX.

Can the BMW X3 defeat its family SUV arch-enemies, which also include the Land Rover Defender, the Lexus NX, the petrol Porsche Macan and the Volvo XC60? Read on to find out...

There are four engine options for the BMW X3, and they all come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive.

The entry-level 20 xDrive four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol has 205bhp and delivers a good amount of performance for most buyers, achieving a 0-60mph time of 7.3 seconds in our tests (0.2 seconds slower than the Lexus NX 350h we tested the same day). You need to rev it quite hard to make swift progress, but the X3’s automatic gearbox is helpfully eager to change down a gear when you need a burst of acceleration on the move.

With plenty of low-down grunt, we strongly suspect the 194bhp 2.0-litre diesel (the 20d) will be more effortless to drive and the engine to have.

If you crave maximum performance, it’s hard to look past the 393bhp M50 xDrive. Its six-cylinder engine gets the M50 to 62mph in just 4.6 seconds and delivers impressive performance regardless of where you are in the rev range.

There’s also a petrol plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model called the xDrive30e, with an official all-electric range of up to 55 miles. That beats the official 45-mile range of a Lexus NX450h+ but doesn’t quite match the Mercedes GLC PHEV (76 miles).

The latest X3 will be followed soon by a new version of the all-electric BMW iX3.

As standard, the X3 xLine rides on passive, non-adjustable suspension. We've yet to try it, but it's likely to be more comfortable than the M Sport trim’s stiffer suspension.

All versions are available with adaptive suspension fitted as an option. It’s not cheap but it lets you switch between different settings, from softer Comfort through to a firmer Sport Plus mode. The trade-off for the X3’s sharp handling is a firmer ride than an NX even in its softest setting.

It’s far from uncomfortable, but it does struggle to settle down at times – not helped by the optional 20in wheels fitted to our test cars (we’d stick with the standard 19in ones).

The BMW X3 M50 has its own sports suspension set-up, with a more driver-focused version of the standard car’s adaptive suspension available as an option. We’ve sampled the adaptive set-up and it has enough adjustment to make it work well on all but the roughest roads.

The range-topping X3 M50 gets the letter M at the beginning of its name because it's been fettled by the BMW Motorsport Division, and its bespoke suspension set-up makes it very nearly the best-handling family SUV on the market.

The best remains the petrol Porsche Macan – mainly because of its slightly smaller size and more communicative steering. The X3’s steering is still accurate, and in pretty much every other respect has the Macan matched.

In fact, even non-M versions of the X3 are great to drive, feeling very agile, with tight body control coupled with accurate, meaty steering that inspires confidence. The Audi Q5 gets close for driver enjoyment, and both are miles ahead of the (more roly-poly) Land Rover Discovery Sport, the Lexus NX and the Volvo XC60.

The sporty BMW X3 M50 can play the role of a raucous performance SUV or, if needs be, a relaxing cruiser, all with just a switch of driving mode. In Sport mode, the exhaust adopts a sonorous, mellifluous tone yet it's almost silent when you flick it to Comfort mode for relaxed motorway travel.

In terms of refinement, the 20 xDrive's engine is smooth and quiet enough when you’re pottering around, with a more rorty edge when pushed hard.

Road and wind noise are very well suppressed, almost matching the serenity of the Audi Q5 at 70mph, and despite the bigger wheels fitted to sportier versions, there’s less road noise filtering through than in a Lexus NX. The fantastic eight-speed automatic gearbox is among the smoothest examples in the family SUV class, although the brake pedal response in the 20 xDrive could be more consistent to make it easier to stop smoothly.

"The BMW X3 M50 is a physically big car but I found that it shrinks around you on tight country roads thanks to its sharp steering, superb body control and rear-biased four-wheel drive." – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

It’s easy to find your optimum driving position because all X3s come with an electrically operated driver's seat with a memory function. Meanwhile, tall drivers will appreciate the fact that the X3’s steering wheel and seat go further back than those in a Lexus NX, allowing them to stretch out more.

It is frustrating, though, that BMW doesn’t include adjustable lumbar support as standard. It’s quite expensive to add because it's part of the Comfort Pack, but we recommend doing so.

The standard front sports seats on M Sport trim are comfortable on long journeys and keep you in place through bends with their supportive side bolsters. Those who like to sit up high might prefer the NX, which has a loftier seating position with a clearer view of the road ahead.

The X3 has a 12.3in digital driver's display as standard, and a head-up display is an optional extra on all trims as part of the Technology Pack. Both are wonderfully crisp and easy to read and offer a wide choice of lay-outs (unlike in the NX). That said, parts of it are prone to being obscured unless the steering wheel is set unnaturally high.

In something of a retrograde step, the previous X3’s physical air-con controls have been ditched in favour of touch-sensitive icons on the infotainment screen, making it distracting to change the temperature while driving.

Seeing out the front of the X3 is pretty easy, thanks to its large windscreen with relatively narrow and upright pillars. It's easy to judge traffic at roundabouts and T-junctions, and looking over your shoulder gives you a decent view of what’s going on behind.

That said, a high bonnet line does make it tricky to judge the front of the car, so to make manoeuvring easier BMW gives you front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and a parking assistant system that can steer the car into spaces as standard. There’s also the option of a 360-degree surround-view camera as part of the Technology Pack. 

Visibility at night is taken care of by bright LED headlights, which you can pay extra to upgrade to adaptive LED headlights that can stay on high beam without dazzling other road users. The adaptive lights are standard on the BMW X3 M50.

Inside, the new X3 takes inspiration from the larger, electric-only BMW iX, with its digital driver's display and 14.9in infotainment screen presented along a curved single panel.

While some smaller BMW car models – including the latest BMW 1 Series – have lost the brand’s infotainment control dial between the front seats, it’s still there in the X3. That’s a good thing, because we find that using a physical dial is easier than using touchscreen controls.

The lay-out of the system is intuitive and the graphics are top-notch. Our only real complaint is that some functions, such as the drive mode settings, are buried within menus, making it distracting to move from, say, Individual mode to Sport.

A DAB radio, Bluetooth, built-in sat-nav, wireless phone-charging, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring come as standard. A 15-speaker Harman Kardon stereo is available as an optional extra, as is video streaming and gaming on demand (with a subscription).

For the most part, the X3’s interior feels well-assembled, with lots of soft, padded surfaces on the dashboard and glossy trim finishes throughout. That said, there are some areas that feel disappointingly cheap, such as on the lower dashboard and the plastic control panel on the driver’s door that controls the seating and central locking.

Considering the X3’s higher price over some rivals (such as the Lexus NX), it's a little disappointing, but it still edges ahead of the Mercedes GLC, which has plenty of initial wow factor but feels disappointingly flimsy in places once you start touching things.

The previous-generation X3’s interior was very understated with a design language closely related to the BMW 3 Series but this new X3 borrows several flashy design elements from the all-electric BMW iX. They include ambient lighting, recycled microfibre materials, brushed aluminium trim and contrast stitching. It’s no shrinking violet.

"For an extra £450, the Luxury Instrument Panel replaces the faux-leather padding on the dash and doors with woven material. I love how it lends the BMW X3 a more cosy feel." – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

The BMW X3 is among the best family SUVs for front-seat space. Its high roofline ensures that tall adults will have no problems with head room, and leg room is top-notch too. The wide interior means you and your front passenger won't be invading each other’s personal space.

Each front door has a decent-sized bin and the glovebox is no mere token effort. The front armrest lifts to reveal a generous cubbyhole, while in front of the gear selector you’ll find what BMW calls its "jewellery box". It’s a slightly misleading name as the jewellery bit refers to the LED light strip that surrounds what is essentially a big tray containing a wireless phone-charger.

A couple of tall adults can sit in the back of the X3 in comfort, with plenty of head and leg room, and space for their feet under the front seats. The X3’s length allows rear occupants to stretch out their legs more than in a Lexus NX. Plus, the extra width means there’s more shoulder room for three passengers to sit side by side than in the NX, although there is a large hump in the floor.

The outside rear seats each offer a generous door armrest and a decent door bin, and the centre seatback can be folded down to become a central armrest, complete with cupholders. 

You can't have the X3 as a seven-seater – it's strictly a five-seater. The BMW X5 and Land Rover Discovery Sport are available with seven seats, plus there are some excellent non-premium seven-seaters, including the Hyundai Santa Fe.

The X3’s rear seats split in a 40/20/40 configuration and fold flat to open up more space for bulkier items. That’s more versatile than the 60/40 split you get in a Lexus NX.

That said, the X3’s back seats don't slide back and forth to allow you to balance leg room against boot space, as they do in the Land Rover Discovery Sport and on pricier versions of the Audi Q5. The backrest doesn’t recline either.

Most versions of the X3 have 570 litres of boot space, which should more than fulfil the needs of an average family. We managed to fit eight carry-on suitcases under the parcel shelf. That’s the same tally as a Land Rover Discovery Sport or Volvo XC60 and one more than what the Lexus NX can take.

The plug-in hybrid X3 (the 30e) has a battery pack that raises the boot floor and subtracts about 110 litres from the boot volume.

The boot is a practical square shape, with very good access and no loading lip, making it easy to lug heavy items in and out. You’ll find hooks, nets to help keep items in place and a large under-floor storage well.

An electric tailgate is standard but the X3 (like the NX) doesn't have any levers in the boot to allow you to fold the rear backrest down remotely – you have to open the rear doors and reach in to release them.

"What I love about the X3 is that it feels sporty to drive but BMW hasn’t compromised on practicality. It’s a great car for a family holiday.” – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

When it comes to buying a BMW X3 with cash, there’s little to separate it on price from its main rivals in the premium family SUV class, including the Audi Q5, the Mercedes GLC and the Volvo XC60. However, the Lexus NX is cheaper to buy outright with cash and on PCP finance. You can compare the latest prices using our New Car Deals pages.

The X3 30e xDrive plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is the obvious choice for company car users, with by far the lowest CO2 emissions in the line-up and low BIK tax rates (although not as low as for the all-electric BMW iX3). It can charge at up to 11kW but you’ll need to top up its battery regularly to get close to its official fuel economy figure of 282.5mpg. The official fuel economy figure with no charge in the PHEV battery is 39.2mpg.

The X3 20 xDrive returned 37.9mpg in our real-world test, which isn’t quite as impressive as the 41.7mpg the Lexus NX achieved on the same day. The diesel X3 should return closer to 50mpg.

The entry-level X3 trim, xLine, comes with a reasonable amount of kit, including 18in wheels, LED front headlights, sports seats, a leather steering wheel, three-zone climate control, cruise control, a powered boot lid and touchscreen infotainment.

M Sport trim, which is extremely popular, offers a sportier appearance. We reckon it’s worth ticking the box for the optional Comfort Plus Pack because it introduces adaptive suspension for a plusher ride, adaptive LED headlights and other goodies.

The range-topping X3 M50 features even bigger, 20in wheels, upgraded brakes, an M Sport differential and a sports exhaust.

BMW did well in our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, finishing in eighth place out the 31 manufacturers ranked.

The pre-2024 X3 did okay but not brilliantly in the survey, with the petrol version finishing in 16th place out of 36 family SUV models and the diesel coming 23rd.

Every X3 comes with a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty to protect you against large unexpected bills. That policy is matched by Land Rover and better than Audi’s 60,000-mile limit.

The latest X3 has yet to be tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP but it comes with plenty of safety kit. That includes automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-departure warning with "active lane return", road-sign identification, a rear cross-traffic warning system and an exit warning function to stop you opening the door on an unseen cyclist.

"The BMW X3 feels impressive from the moment you step inside. It offers plenty of space, a premium feel and a generous amount of standard features. While it's not cheap, it feels worth the price." – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

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