BMW X3 review

What do the BMW X3 and the film Deadpool & Wolverine have in common? If you said 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 the new Audi Q5 spoiling for a fight. Hence the X3, like a Marvel hero, has been forced to mutate.

So while this 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, with a new dashboard lay-out 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, Lexus NX, petrol Porsche Macan and Volvo XC60? Let's 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 four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol – the xDrive20 – has 205bhp and delivers good performance, 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 auto gearbox is helpfully eager to change down when you need a burst of acceleration.

With plenty of low-down grunt, the 194bhp 2.0-litre diesel (the xDrive20d) is even less effort to drive. We managed 0-60mph in 7.2 seconds – about the same as a Mazda CX-60 3.3D 254 (7.1 seconds) and Audi Q5 TDI (6.9).

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 not the Mercedes GLC PHEV (76 miles). For the fully electric version see our BMW iX3 review.

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.

As standard, the X3 in entry-level xLine trim rides on passive, non-adjustable suspension. We've yet to test it, but we'd expect it to be more comfortable than the stiffer suspension you get with M Sport trim, which we have tried. While that's not uncomfortable, it does struggle to settle at times – not helped by the 20in and 21in wheels on our test cars (we’d stick with the standard 19in ones).

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. For comparison, the Lexus NX is slightly less firm and a Q5 with optional air suspension is even more comfortable.

The X3 M50 has its own sports suspension set-up, with more driver-focused 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.

Even the non-M versions of the X3 are great to drive, feeling very agile, with tight body control coupled with accurate, well-weighted steering that inspires confidence. The Audi Q5 trades sharpness for a more balanced ride and handling set-up, and both are miles ahead of the (more roly-poly) Land Rover Discovery Sport, the Lexus NX, the Mazda CX-60 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 xDrive20's engine is smooth and quiet enough when you’re pottering around, with a more rorty edge when pushed hard. The xDrive20d diesel is quieter than most rivals, including the CX-60 3.3D, but it’s a bit more vocal than the Q5 TDI, with a bit more clatter filtering through.

Road and wind noise are very well suppressed, almost matching the serenity of the Q5 at 70mph, and despite the bigger wheels fitted to sportier versions, there’s less road noise filtering through than in an NX. The X3's fantastic eight-speed automatic gearbox is among the smoothest examples in the family SUV class, although the brake-pedal response in the xDrive20 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." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

You sit closer to the ground in the BMW X3 than in most rivals, and it’s easy to find your optimum driving position because all versions have an electrically adjustable driver's seat with a memory function. Tall drivers will appreciate the fact that the steering wheel and seat go further back than those in a Lexus NX.

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. It's frustrating, though, that no version gets 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 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 crisp and easy to read, and the driver's display has a wide choice of lay-outs than most rivals. On the minus side, we found that parts of it were obscured unless we set the steering wheel unnaturally high.

Sadly, the previous X3’s physical air-con controls have been ditched in favour of touch-sensitive icons on the infotainment screen, making it more distracting to change the temperature while driving than in a Lexus NX or Mazda CX-60.

Seeing out the front of the X3 is pretty easy, thanks to its big windscreen and fairly upright pillars. It's easy to see traffic at junctions and looking over your shoulder gives you a decent view of what’s going on behind.

The bluff front end does make it tricky to judge the front corners of the car, but to make manoeuvring easier, you get front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and a parking assistant system that can steer the car into spaces. A 360-degree surround-view camera is available as part of the Technology Pack.

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

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

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

The touchscreen's lay-out is mostly intuitive and the graphics are top-notch. Our only real complaint is that some functions, such as the drive mode settings, are buried in menus, making it distracting to move from, say, Individual mode to Sport. Also, the main menu is so packed it’s overwhelming.

DAB radio, Bluetooth, 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. It produces a good amount of bass but we didn't find the sound quality particularly clear.

The previous-generation X3’s interior was very understated, with a design language related to the BMW 3 Series. Now, though, the X3 borrows some flashy elements from the BMW iX. They include ambient lighting, brushed aluminium trim and contrast stitching. It’s no shrinking violet.

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

Considering the X3’s higher price over the Lexus NX, it's a little disappointing. However, it’s on a par with the Audi Q5 and still edges ahead of the Mercedes GLC, which has plenty of initial wow factor but feels flimsy in places. The Genesis GV70 and Mazda CX-60 feel more upmarket overall.

"For an extra £450, the Luxury Instrument Panel replaces the faux-leather on the X3's dash and doors with woven material. I love how it lends the car a cosier feel." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars 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 storage 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". The jewellery bit refers to the LED light strip that surrounds what is essentially a big tray large enough to hold two phones (and also containing a wireless charger).

Two 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 an Audi Q5, Lexus NX and Mazda CX-60. Plus, the extra width means there’s more shoulder room for three passengers to sit side by side than in the NX.

That said, a middle passenger will have to straddle a large hump in the floor. The CX-60’s lower transmission tunnel helps free up foot space, making it more comfortable for three. The X3's 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. For more options see our best seven-seaters page.

The back seats in the X3 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 rear seats don't recline or slide back and forth to allow you to balance leg room against boot space. The seats in the Land Rover Discovery Sport and on pricier versions of the Audi Q5 can slide.

Most versions of the X3 have a 570-litre boot, 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 the NX took, but the Q5 managed nine.

The plug-in hybrid X3 (the xDrive30e) has a battery pack that raises the boot floor and subtracts about 110 litres from the official 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 down the rear backrest 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.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars 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, Mercedes GLC and Volvo XC60. However, the Lexus NX is cheaper to buy outright with cash and the X3 is pricier than rivals when it comes to monthly PCP costs. You can compare the latest prices using our New Car Deals pages.

The X3 xDrive30e plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is the obvious choice for company car users, with the lowest BIK tax rates – although not as low as for the all-electric BMW iX3. It has an impressive official fuel economy figure of 282.5mpg, but you'll have to charge it up regularly to get close to that. With no charge in the battery it officially manages 39.2mpg.

The X3 xDrive20 returned 37.9mpg in our real-world test, which isn’t quite as impressive as the 41.7mpg the NX achieved on the same day. Meanwhile, the diesel X3 returned 50.2mpg, which beat the Q5 TDI (43.8mpg) but is slightly less impressive than the Mazda CX-60 3.3D 254 (32.8mpg).

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

Meanwhile, our favourite M Sport trim offers a sportier appearance. We reckon it’s worth ticking the box for the optional Comfort Pack because it introduces adaptive LED headlights, lumbar support for the front seats 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 of the 31 manufacturers ranked. That was higher than most rivals, although Lexus did even better, finishing in second place.

The pre-2024 X3 did okay but not brilliantly in the same survey, with the petrol version finishing in 16th place out of 36 family SUV models and the diesel 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, which has a 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 X3 feels impressive from the moment you get in. It offers lots of space, a premium feel and a generous amount of standard features. It feels worth the price." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

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