When BMW launched the X3 SUV again in 2003, it basically kick-started the premium compact SUV market. The X3 was the very first, and it went unanswered till 2008 when Mercedes launched the GLK-Class, which later turned the GLC-Class that we all know right this moment. Once an entry-level mannequin for BMW’s SUV vary within the U.S., the X3 now sits above the X1 and X2, although which suggests it’s now not the most affordable premium SUV within the lineup, both.

To today, the X3 is, basically, an SUV model of the BMW 3 Series. It even shares a good variety of parts right here and there, although some know-how from the X5 has trickled down, like gesture management and BMW’s iDrive 6.0 infotainment system. Following a thorough midcycle update for the 2022 model year, the BMW X3 is at present heading for a brand new era, which suggests now is perhaps the appropriate time to seize the present era. Primary rivals to cross-shop embrace the Mercedes GLC and the Audi Q5.

What’s New For 2024

Highlights For 2024

• Typical BMW agile dealing with
• Gorgeous infotainment system graphics
• Decent gasoline effectivity
• Attractive inside design, although it’s a bit dated
• Very snug cabin entrance and rear
• Standard panoramic roof on the M40i

With the BMW X3 being up to date for the 2022 mannequin 12 months, there are not any vital adjustments taking place for what is probably going this era’s final 12 months in the marketplace. In 2023, the distant proximity keyless entry system was added to the listing of normal tools, and the gesture management system was dropped from the Premium package deal.

The 2022 model-year replace, nonetheless, introduced a spread of styling and know-how enhancements. Exterior highlights included a revised nostril, new entrance and rear fascias, up to date exterior lighting, and new wheel designs. The M Sport look package deal was additionally launched as a part of this replace, which basically makes the bottom mannequin look a little bit extra just like the M-light M40i. The inside noticed updates to the middle console, repositioned analog buttons, and the choice to improve the ten.3-inch infotainment and digital instrument cluster twins to 12.3-inch models.

Exterior Dimensions

Specifications And Performance

BMW’s trim lineup for the X3 is definitely quite simple. You can select between the bottom 30i trim, the M40i, or the full-fledged X3 M. The base X3 is powered by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder that delivers 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This mannequin is out there with RWD (sDrive 30i) or with the xDrive AWD system. Regardless of which possibility you select, you’ll get BMW’s 8-speed sport automated transmission. The 30i is certainly extra targeted on day by day driving and financial system versus efficiency, however it could nonetheless hit 60 mph in six-seconds flat and maxes out at 130 mph.

Moving as much as the M40i strikes you as much as BMW’s 3.0-liter inline-six that’s paired with a mild-hybrid system. This setup nets you 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. xDrive AWD is commonplace right here, as is similar 8-speed automated discovered within the 30i, although it has model-specific tuning for a barely snappier response.

This powertrain shaves greater than a second of the 60-mph dash, bringing it right down to 4.4 seconds, although prime velocity is locked at 155 mph.

The BMW X3 M is a completely totally different animal that’s geared towards lovers that need a variety of efficiency. The 3.0-liter inline-six is massaged to ship a complete of 473 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque which drops the 60-mph dash down to three.9 seconds. If you go along with the Competition package deal, that energy output elevated to 503 ponies, which additionally brings the dash time down to three.9 seconds. The base prime velocity is restricted to 155 mph, although, sources point out the Competition can get nearer to the 170 mph mark.

Towing Capacity

While the BMW X3 is a compact mannequin, it does have a powerful towing capability of 4,400 kilos, although, it’s necessary to keep in mind that you want the appropriate towing package deal and tools to reap the benefits of this functionality.

Fuel Economy

The BMW X3 truly does fairly properly when it comes to gasoline financial system, with the 30i models offering as much as 28-29 mpg on the highway. As you progress up the lineup, nonetheless, gasoline financial system begins to fade a little bit bit with the M40i maxing out at 26 mpg, and the X3 M (and M Competition) maxing out at simply 20 mpg – in case you’re driving properly on the freeway.

Interior Technology And Comfort

At its core, the BMW X3 was constructed with consolation in thoughts, and that is regardless of the usual sports activities seats which might be extra snug than they really look. Overall, the inside may be very properly geared up proper out of the gate with 10-way energy adjustable entrance seats, reclining rear seat backs, and wholesome doses of high-quality supplies nearly in all places. When driving the X3 over lengthy distances, you’ll discover that it’s virtually onerous to not be snug, with entrance passengers even with the ability to regulate the facet bolsters and lumbar help within the seats. A six-hour journey yields little complaints, even from little ones within the again outdoors of the “are we there yet” routine, which is compulsory.

You gained’t discover any real-wood trim right here, however the plastic wood-look trim that BMW presents has been engineered in a means that makes it appear and feel actual. This can also be not actual leather-based on the base degree, both, nevertheless it’s definitely a great knock-off. This materials will be discovered on the seats, door coverings, and arm rests, including an additional sense of luxurious and luxury on the similar time. In phrases of cargo capability, the X3 doesn’t disappoint for its measurement. There’s sufficient room to carry baggage for a small household, however it is a compact SUV, so it’s not probably the most spacious cargo space on the earth.

Interior Dimensions

Technology

The BMW X3 comes commonplace with a pair of 10.3-inch screens, one being a digital instrument cluster and the opposite being BMW’s iDrive infotainment system. Standard options right here embrace Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, and one USB port. The bigger 12.3-inch shows are optionally available, as are a lot of different options like a wi-fi smartphone charging pad and an additional USB port.

Safety And Reliability

The BMW X3 comes commonplace with a fairly widespread listing of security options that embrace lively blind spot detection, lane departure warning, frontal collision warning with metropolis collision mitigation, lively safety, and BMW lively driving assistant. Features like lane departure prevention, lively lane-keep help, adaptive cruise management, automated lane change, and automatic parking are all choices.

In security testing, The BMW X3 has an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA, with it scoring 5 stars throughout the board for frontal crash and facet crash testing. It does have a four-star rollover score, which is fairly commonplace throughout SUVs and crossovers. During this check there was no tipping, and the rollover danger was rated at 17.20%.

In IIHS testing, the 2024 BMW X3 was awarded a 2024 Top Safety Pick+ award, incomes “Good” scores (the most effective you will get” throughout the board for crashworthiness and crash avoidance and mitigation. It did obtain marginal scores for seat blet reminders and the convenience of use for the automobile seat LATCH system. Of explicit be aware in IIHS testing is that the X3 even scored a “Good” score for the extra stringent up to date entrance overlap crash testing and up to date facet crash testing, one thing few crossovers and SUVs can truly boast about.

IIHS Crash Test Video

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

• Recalls (NHTSA): 1 relating to a unfastened steering gear that may trigger lack of automobile management
• NHTSA Investigations: 0
• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 1 – Steering points (probably resolved by the recall for the steering system)
• Awards: IIHS Top Safety Pick+ 2024

Warranties

BMW has a fairly intensive and concise new automobile guarantee that features 4 years and 50,0000 miles of primary protection, 12 years of rust perforation protection, 2 years of federal emissions protection, and there’s even 3 years of free upkeep. There’s additionally a number of California-specific guarantee coverages as proven within the desk beneath.

2024 BMW X3 Versus Its Competitors

The BMW X3 could have kicked off the premium compact SUV phase, however that was a very long time in the past, and right this moment, there’s no scarcity of rivals on this house. However, with German engineering being what it’s, it solely is smart to match the BMW X3 to its homeland rivals, the Mercedes GLC-Class and the Audi Q5, each of that are as tech-heavy and constructed properly.

How The 2024 BMW X3 Compares To The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

• 2024 BMW X3

  Model

  BMW X3

  Engine

  2.0-Liter Inline-Four | 3.0-Liter Inline-Six

  Transmission

  Eight-Speed Auto

  Horsepower

  248 – 382 HP

  Torque

  258 – 369 LB-FT

  Driveline

  FWD | AWD

  MSRP

  $46,900 – $61,900

  Fuel Economy

  Up To 29 MPG

  Towing Capacity

  Up To 3,500 Pounds

  0-60 MPH

  4.4 – 6.0 Seconds

• 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

  Model

  Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

  Engine

  2.0-Liter Inline-Four

  Transmission

  Nine-Speed Automatic

  Horsepower

  255 HP @ 5,800 RPM

  Torque

  295 LB-FT @ 2,000 RPM

  Driveline

  RWD | AWD

  MSRP

  $47,450 – $49,450

  Fuel Economy

  Up Tp 32 MPG

  Towing Capacity

  3,500 Pounds

  0-60 MPH

  6.2 Seconds

The Mercedes GLC was actually the primary mannequin the X3 needed to compete with, solely again then, it was referred to as the GLK-Class. These days, the GLC has extra of a sportier look, with sure design cues borrowed from Mercedes-Benz’s automobile lineup – it even shares is platform with the Mercedes C-Class. The exterior design of the GLC is one which exudes class and elegance with the everyday Mercedes grille, distinctive entrance trim, and even the marginally sloped roof, which isn’t to be confused with the GLC Coupe that launched for the 2024 mannequin 12 months. Where the GLC actually wins although is on the within, the place the tablet-like infotainment system seems to drift over the sprint and the out there digital instrument cluster amplifies the sense of luxurious.

The GLC 300, the entry-level mannequin, is powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four that’s paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Combined, this powertrain delivers 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. With the usual nine-speed automated transmission and commonplace RWD, the GLC can hit 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. Mercedes doesn’t listing a prime velocity determine, however it could, on the very most, be restricted to 155 mph. Opting for xDrive AWD doesn’t enhance dash instances, although, it’s going to make the GLC a little bit extra pleasant in less-than-favorable climate. The GLC begins out at $47,450 for the RWD mannequin or $49,450 with xDrive AWD. If you need extra energy, you possibly can go for the $64,950 AMG GLC 43, although, that falls far outdoors of the aggressive territory that we’re exploring right this moment.

How The 2024 BMW X3 Compares to The 2024 Audi Q5

• 2024 BMW X3

  Model

  BMW X3

  Engine

  2.0-Liter Inline-Four | 3.0-Liter Inline-Six

  Transmission

  Eight-Speed Auto

  Horsepower

  248 – 382 HP

  Torque

  258 – 369 LB-FT

  Driveline

  FWD | AWD

  Fuel Economy

  Up To 29 MPG

  Towing Capacity

  Up To 3,500 Pounds

  0-60 MPH

  4.4 – 6.0 Seconds

• 2024 Audi Q5

  Model

  Audi Q5

  Engine

  2.0-Liter Inline-Four

  Transmission

  Seven-Speed DCT

  Horsepower

  201 HP

  Torque

  236 LB-FT

  Driveline

  AWD

  Fuel Economy

  Up To 29 MPG

  Towing Capacity

  4,400 Pounds

  0-60 MPH

  6.8 Seconds

The present era of the Audi Q5 was launched in 2017 and was up to date in 2021. A brand new mannequin is certainly on the horizon, however for now, this mannequin nonetheless serves as a strong competitor within the compact luxurious crossover phase. It’s exterior design is admittedly extra of a mix between the GLC and X3, with a barely muscular good, timeless nostril design, and an total elegant look. On the within, the Q5 is arguably beginning to present its age. The seats, supplies, and construct high quality are all prime notch, although, you’ll discover that the infotainment system sitting above the middle HVAC vents and the older-style however nonetheless digital gauge cluster aren’t fairly as trendy as what you discover in some rivals.

Under the hood, the Audi Q5 under-performs in comparison with its present rivals. Like the others, it’s powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four, although, on this case, the engine places out simply 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Audi says that is good for a 6.8-second dash to 60 mph and a 130 mph prime velocity. The excellent news right here is that Audi’s legendary Quattro AWD system comes commonplace as does the ultra-crisp, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. There’s additionally a Q5 PHEV that places out 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, and it could hit 60 mph in five-seconds flat, however that comes at a price. Available in three trims, The Q5 40 TFSI is priced from $45,300 to $55,600, the 45 TFSI is priced from $48,200 to $58,100, and the 55 TFSI e (the PHEV) instructions $58,500 to $67,700.

How Much The BMW X3 Costs

The BMW X3 truly falls in the course of its primary rivals with the RWD x3 sDrive30i beginning at $46,900. Going for the xDrive30i raises that value by $2,000 to $48,900. The X3 M40i instructions a beginning worth of $61,900, whereas the X3 M – a totally totally different animal – begins at a whopping $75,500.

Is It Worth It To Buy The BMW X3?

The BMW X3 is a strong performer on the highway, it’s snug, and it’s probably the most trendy compact crossover this facet of $50,000. With that mentioned, an all-new era is anticipated to launch for 2025, so if you would like the most recent and biggest, and don’t wish to steer away from BMW, then ready one other 12 months is your greatest wager. This additionally raises a great alternative to purchase a barely used mannequin at an enormous low cost and nonetheless get the identical facilities that you just’ll get in a brand-new 2024 mannequin. Either means, so long as you don’t want a ton of cargo capability and don’t’ thoughts driving the ultimate 12 months of this era, it’s onerous to go mistaken with the X3.