BMW X3 4X4 REVIEW

For With the optional Variable Damper Control, the X3 strikes a fine balance between comfort and agility. The cabin is classy and spacious, and running costs are low.

Against Its wide transmission tunnel makes life uncomfortable for a central rear passenger and the manual gearbox is a bit clunky. We’re yet to try the X3 on standard suspension.

What Car? says

5 out of 5 stars

The X3 is the best compact 4x4 you can buy, and that's why it's our reigning SUV of the Year. It’s classy, practical and good to drive. The engines are very efficient, too, and standard kit pretty generous.

Reader review rating

4.4

The BMW X3 4x4 full review Read in full

Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Engines provide plenty of go
Ride & Handling
4 out of 5 stars
Great with the optional VDC system
Refinement
5 out of 5 stars
Reasonably quiet; awkward manual shift
Buying & Owning
5 out of 5 stars
Competitively priced; excellent fuel economy
Quality & Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
A match for anything in the class
Safety & Security
5 out of 5 stars
Gets everything buyers expect
Behind The Wheel
4 out of 5 stars
Good driving position; user-friendly dash
Space & Practicality
4 out of 5 stars
Roomy for four and boot is well shaped
Equipment
3 out of 5 stars
SE is well equipped, M Sport adds more at a cost

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There are 6 BMW X3 versions available

BMW X3 4x4 xDrive20d SE 5dr	£31,440	What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
BMW X3 4x4 xDrive20d M Sport 5dr	£34,135	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
BMW X3 4x4 xDrive30d SE 5dr	£37,600	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
BMW X3 4x4 xDrive30d M Sport 5dr	£39,975	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
BMW X3 4x4 xDrive35d SE 5dr	£40,205	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
BMW X3 4x4 xDrive35d M Sport 5dr	£42,225	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5

BMW X3 4x4 xDrive20d SE 5dr

This is the almost only X3 you can buy at the moment, but even when other engines and trims are added, we expect it to remain the pick of the range.

What Car? says:5 stars out of 5

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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

The entry-level X3, the xDrive20d SE is the one to go for. It provides all the performance you need and comes with lots of luxuries, including leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors and cruise control.

There are two other diesel engines avaialbe, both 3.0-litre units with either 255bhp or 309bhp. They're both fast, but cost thousands more that the perfectly-adequate 2.0-litre.

There's also an M Sport trim available, but we'd resist the temptation. It looks great, with a sporty body kit, but again, it costs thousands more than the SE.

BMW also offers numerous cost options, and we’d be tempted to specify the eight-speed automatic gearbox because the standard six-speed manual has a stiff action that makes it a bit too much like hard work.