BMW X3 review

The BMW X3’s importance is tough to underplay, with the mid-size luxury SUV proving immensely popular for the German brand. But it’s competing with some of the best and most popular SUVs in the business, including the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the Porsche Macan, as well as the soon-to-be-updated Audi Q5. In short, it’s up against the best, and BMW is trying to ensure it stays at the top of its game.

As a result, BMW has overhauled the X3 comprehensively, giving the car fresh bodywork, some updated engines and a minimalist new cabin, as well as some mechanical upgrades, but have the changes been positive for the popular premium SUV?

Modern minimalism

The styling modifications are, of course, completely subjective – some will love the new, cleaner and more minimalist image, and others won’t be so keen on the attempts to bring the X3 into line with the 5 and 7 Series saloons. That BMW has updated the car without simply oversizing the grille, however, is a welcome development, even if the conservatively sized grille is now illuminated.

Also welcome is the increase in boot capacity across the range, with the new X3 offering 570 litres of luggage space when all five seats are upright. Combine that with ample rear head- and legroom, and you’ve got a car that’s more than able to carry four tall adults anywhere they want to go.

Many customers will like the look of the X3’s new cabin, too, with the digital instrument display and touchscreen infotainment system combined in one curved housing. Aside from that, the dashboard is more or less empty, with just some air vents and ambient lighting punctuating an exceptionally simple-looking panel. There are more buttons, including the park brake, gear selector and ignition button, on the centre console and the steering wheel, but otherwise there’s a notable lack of switchgear.

That’s because pretty much everything – be it climate control, multimedia or even driving mode selection – is controlled via the central display. Normally, that would spell disaster, but the X3 gets BMW’s latest software, so the implementation of all this technology is more user-friendly than it might be. The temperature controls, for example, are always on show at the bottom of the screen, rather than hidden in a sub-menu. And BMW has included a rotary control wheel on the centre console so those who know their way around the system can navigate the menus almost by touch, reducing the distraction of looking at the screen. Drivers can also configure the X3’s two sharp and responsive screens so the information they use most is displayed, allowing for a bit of personalisation and faster navigation.

One step forward, two steps back

But for all BMW’s modern technology, the company seems to have dropped the ball with something important. The cabin just doesn’t feel as premium or as upmarket as that of the old X3. There’s no problem with the way the car is built – most of the moving parts feel fairly well engineered and everything that doesn’t move stays stubbornly in place – but there are serious issues with material quality in there.

Take, for example, the door handles. You use them every time you get out of the car, so they’re key touch points and they have to feel upmarket, but BMW has just fitted cheap plastic handles that would feel unremarkable in a Dacia and are downright disappointing in a luxury SUV. The same goes for the grab handles in the arm rest, which should feel tactile and welcoming, but instead feel as though they came out of a budget runaround from 2002. Parts of the dashboard also feel as though they could be made from recycled wheelie bins, while the glovebox feels cheap and lightweight, and the air vent controls are fiddly and low-rent.

Competent chassis

That lack of finesse in the cabin is a real shame given BMW’s investment in tech and design, but the real highlight of the X3 is the way it drives. BMW’s SUVs have long been some of the best on the road in terms of driving pleasure, and the new X3 is no different, with a great engine range, precise steering and impressive body control, as well as a comfortable ride.

Opt for the high-performance M50 xDrive model and you’ll sacrifice that ride comfort in favour of sharper handling, but we doubt many buyers will pick that option. Mainly because it’s expensive to buy and its 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine will drink fuel like it’s going out of fashion. Instead, we expect customers to pick the 2.0-litre diesel 20d xDrive, the forthcoming 30d xDrive 3.0-litre diesel or the 30e xDrive plug-in hybrid. The latter combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor with a battery that enables the car to travel up to 90km on electrical power alone, according to the official economy test. And when both petrol and electric power combine, the system sends 299hp to all four wheels.

The bottom line

The 30e xDrive is also the cheapest model in the X3 range, thanks to the tax breaks provided by that economical powertrain. At €70,405, the entry-level X3 30e xDrive xLine is a little more expensive than the Audi Q5, but significantly cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz GLC, which are its two closest rivals. And it comes with lots of standard kit, including a reversing camera, climate control and 19-inch alloy wheels, as well as an automatic tailgate, wireless phone charging and keyless entry.

With all that equipment, a great driving experience and a stellar engine range, the X3 is still a very appealing and very capable car, but the cheapness of the interior is a shortcoming at this price point. It spoils what is an otherwise brilliant piece of engineering.