Google “best-selling BMW in the world,” and you won’t get the legendary 3 Series or 5 Series, nor will you get the big X5 or X7, nor will you get an electric car or a sports car. Nope, you’ll get the medium-sized crossover called the BMW X3. The Bavarian automaker sells over a quarter million of these machines annually, so when my dad told me he’d bought one and that I should give it a try, I couldn’t grab the keys quick enough. When I got behind the wheel I discovered what all the fuss was about; the BMW X3 is good. Really good.
I’m not even reviewing the new generation, which is coming out in the 2025 model-year; I’m reviewing my dad’s 2024 model, which he got for a steal. The base rear-wheel drive “sDrive30i” starts at $46,900 plus destination fee; my dad says he got his xDrive30i for around $45 grand all-in — not bad considering that stickers for $48,900 plus destination. And yes, it’s just the lowest-trim all-wheel drive model, but you wouldn’t know it looking at the car. It’s really stylish both inside and out.
What Is The BMW X3?
The BMW X3 is the Bavarian automaker’s bread-and-butter, and probably a vehicle you see all the time, perhaps without realizing it. It hits that sweet spot of affordability, fuel economy, luxury, size, and style. It’s among the top-dogs when it comes to sporty luxury vehicles in the mid-size crossover space, and its understated appearance, nice materials, and practicality at a decent price makes it so alluring for folks who want to move on from, say, a Chevy Equinox.
I know this because that’s exactly what my parents moved on from. This was their old car:
And this is the new X3:
To be sure, I’m a fan of affordable vehicles, so I’m definitely not hating on the Equinox for its lack of luxury. It was spacious, delivered a respectable 25-ish MPG, and offered a decent ride. But its problem was that its engine — a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder — was riddled with engineering flaws that ultimately led to the car’s demise after about 12 years and 150,000 miles in service. The timing chain failed and the pistons/rings led to excessive oil consumption. Add the fact that the six-speed automatic was sluggish, making the 181 horsepower engine feel rather anemic pulling around an 3,800 pound machine, and you have a car that didn’t really live up to expectations.
Whether the X3 will is something we can only know in due time, but the bones are there. Just ask my colleague Thomas Hundal, a genuine BMW expert, who has this to say about the X3’s long-term prospects:
With a proven ZF 8HP eight-speed automatic transmission and a B48 four-cylinder engine with a solid track record, long-term prospects for a BMW X3 30i are looking good. So far, they’ve proven to be remarkably reliable, and given how Mini’s been using this engine for a decade with no common reports of failure, it should do perfectly alright in these crossovers
So the X3 has the makings of a reasonably reliable, mid-size, sporty crossover with handsome looks and an acceptable base price. But what’s it like inside and how does it drive?
What’s The BMW X3 Like Inside?
Step into the X3, and it’s hard not to be impressed. That caramel interior — on the seats, center armrest, and door cards — is just gorgeous. And though it’s not real leather, that leatherette “SensaTec” is sublime. The seats — with all their power adjustment, including lumbar and thigh support — are well-bolstered and yet still wonderfully comfortable.
The center stack is simple and not overpowered by a huge screen (the infotainment display is 10.25 inches, which is relatively modest for a modern car). Physical buttons abound, with volume, heated seats, and HVAC controls all in the form of positive-feedback electromechanical switches:
As you can see above, the cameras are crisp, showing an overhead view, a rear view, and a front view.
The driver’s 12.3-inch digital cluster is nice and sharp, and the navigation map between the speedometer and tach is just cool. There is some kind of trip computer-related message on the screen that I can’t seem to get rid of, but maybe some more time fiddling will remove that prompt.
I love the hidden storage spot on the left side of the steering column on the dash.
The big glass roof is cool, in theory, but in practice, I don’t think I’d ever use it.
There’s plenty of space for an adult behind the front seats, though the center seat has a rather tall tunnel on the floor.
Cargo space is just good enough for my family’s golden retriever, but it’s not going to blow anyone’s mind. The truth is, the BMW X3 isn’t the most space-efficient package. Whereas my parents’ Equinox felt medium on the outside and humongous on the inside, the X3 feels medium on the outside and medium on the inside. It’s totally fine, but not incredible; as you can see, much of the vehicle’s length is its nose, and the swoopy and sporty profile means it’s not wide, tall, and boxy like the Equinox was.
I have a few qualms with the gorgeous cabin, namely this pad, which looks like a wireless charger but isn’t one:
Apparently you’ll know you have wireless charging if your car has this battery logo (on the left, highlighted with an orange rectangle):
I also don’t love that the ignition button is on the center tunnel just to the right of the driver:
Plus, I think the switch you hit to put the car into park is in a really strange spot, oriented vertically on the back of the shifter:
I do also wish those buttons on that center tunnel — sport/comfort/eco pro mode and the parking button and even some of the iDrive buttons — had a bit more feedback to them. They’re super shallow switches, and you really have to look down to know what you’re touching.
But otherwise, I’m a big fan of the X3’s interior.
How Does The BMW X3 Drive?
I’m currently hanging out at my parents’ place in a region called “Die Oberpfalz,” or in English, “Upper Palatinate.” That’s the area bordered in red on this map:
Today I headed to a castle for a hike, and then to the town of Weiden to do a bit of shopping. My dad — keen to read my review on his newly-acquired car — had left me the keys, as he wanted me to evaluate his new U.S.-spec steed, hence this little micro-review you’re now reading.
Right away, it was apparent that the X3 rides beautifully and it’s very quiet inside. I get that the roads in Germany are pretty much glass-smooth, but the X3 really feels like a magic carpet when you consider how well it handles. And boy does it handle well for a crossover; it’s cliche to say, but the X3 really does feel smaller than it actually is. It’s a 4,200 pound cruiser that can hustle in the turns without leaning too hard or running out of grip, and for sometimes-speed-limit-less Germany, that makes it almost perfect.
I will say that my favorite handling characteristic is the X3’s brakes. My parents also own a 2015 BMW 320i, and it’s a great car to chuck around, but its brakes felt a bit stickier. The BMW X3’s brakes feel really powerful, but not overly-sensitive. You press the pedal and the first bit of travel slows the vehicle down at a reasonable rate, but then as you apply more pressure, it really brings the car down to a halt quickly. It feels linear, but powerful, and it really inspires confidence.
I realize that 245 horsepower doesn’t sound like much, but those who have tested this thing’s 0-60 times measured around 6.5 seconds, and that’s not bad! Nothing about this car feels slow (especially in Sport mode, where transient response times are minimized), and that’s surprising given how heavy it is and given that my parents are observing 28 MPG. That’s better real-world fuel economy than their sluggish Equinox.
One thing that annoys my mom a bit, and something I totally understand is that the steering is really quick. There’s basically no play, either, meaning any small motion tends to dart the car left and right. I personally have historically been able to get used to this, but it doesn’t seem like my mom has. Do I think the X3 needs to have perfectly precise and quick steering? Given that most of its owners aren’t tracking the thing, probably not. But it’s all part of that “sporty” image, and the car does live up to that.
At higher speeds, the thing just moves, and with so little drama. It’s sure-footed, quiet, and always going faster than you think it is. The eight-speed automatic is perfect; the interior is almost perfect; the ride feels close to perfect given the handling, which itself is great; the fuel economy is solid; and the price tag is — given the competitive set — solid.
I’d never found the X3 to be a particularly exciting car to look at, and I wouldn’t say it’s quite exciting to drive, but after having driven this 2024 X3 xDrive30i, I have to say: I totally get why the BMW X3 is such a superstar. It just gets it done.
The X3 is totally competent and well-rounded, but it’s just meh. It’s the RAV4 for slightly more affluent people.
Whenever I see an X3 I think about those degens from upcountry on Letterkenny that try to pick up girls by mentioning their X3 a lot (S05e01 we don’t fight at weddings)
This review is about how I felt when I drove my inlaws newish Honda CRV. It does everything pretty well as long as you don’t need to like tow a heavy boat or something it’s probably fine. My only gripe and it was minor was the engine turning off and on at stops seemed a little sluggish in response at times.
Father in law came from a well appointed tahoe and as he got older he wanted something smaller and more manageable.
So does this mean that you’ll be nudging Elise (not her real name) BMW-ward when the lease on her Lexus is up?
Slightly off topic, but I was watching Captain America Civil War last night with my son, and they are in Germany for ratification of some treaty that’s super relevant to the movie, not at all to this comment, as things do with super hero movies, a big fight breaks out, a large portion of it taking place in a tunnel with cars rushing by. One such car was a caravan just like yours! I am sure it was not a manual diesel, but it still shocked me to see that on the screen with all the Ford Kas and other more typical European autos.
I’m very disappointed this wasn’t specced with the diesel motor! I read an early review of the XM that said its interior was no better than the X3’s. Does the “vegan” leather smell nice?
Modern diesels only add complexity to a car that in this form is generally issue free.
Wait, your parents had a Chevy Equinox in Germany? I didn’t even know you could buy one there.
He said the X3 was a US spec, I am guessing the Equinox was too. There are so many American military over there that there’s always a decent amount of US spec cars available, Americans often prefer those because then if/when they move back home they can take the car home too.
The first owner (or the dealer) specified my ‘17 F-150 w/ a giant glass hole in the roof. I hate it. It causes wind noise in the cabin & I never open the sunshade, never mind the actual glass. I’d gladly trade the “panoramic moonroof” for better than poverty spec headlights, adaptive cruise control or rain sensing wipers,
I’ve always found, in a truck specifically, that sunroofs aren’t needed. The greenhouse is normally so comparatively tall and the rear window is so close to you that I’ve never felt claustrophobic. If you have a sliding rear window, the air flow is better than you’ll get with a sunroof anyways.
I’m still trying to decide if I like the twin sunroofs in my Disco2. The Brits really shouldn’t be putting more holes in their cars. And if they do, use a crank, not electric.
The Equinox had timing chain problems? If only there was something more reliable than a timing chain…
But but but, at least it doesn’t use a belt! That would make it downright unreliable!
Every BMW I’ve driven has had that magical “shrinks around you” feeling – except the prev. generation X5. But – its really amazing, and no one else does it as well, I’ve found. Glad to hear that the X3 is keeping it alive!
Random aside: One of my dream garage projects is to get a first generation X3 with the M54 inline six, AWD, and a manual, and convert it into a sweet battlecar.
I have an E83 with the N52, AWD, and a 6-speed manual. It’s amazing! I love the M54 and my E46 has the very closely related M52TU, but the N52 is better in many ways. My E83 just won third place for BMWs at a German car meet in Oley, PA!
There’s a Chevy Equinox in Germany? Does it have the same Chinese engine that we get?
Damn, even I’m starting to think you’re a paid shrill for BMW. As a unpaid shrill, how does one apply?
Was a big fan of our 2013 with the N-series 4-turbo, but that thing gave up hard around 120k with oil making it’s way into the turbo vacuum lines. Sunk a couple grand trying to fix it and eventually sold it to Vroom (rip) without issue for a good price. Hoping their 30 day return policy gave the next owner what was needed to figure out it was a turd of an engine.
My folks have had good luck with 2014 (6 cyl turbo) and 2020 (B48 turbo). It’s a great cruiser with a slightly sporty side as a CPO.
I have had a X3 M40i for several years now and I can vouch that it is a truly fantastic automobile for this segment. I cross shopped it with a Macan and went with the X3 because it has a significantly larger cargo area than the Macan (and at the time, the M40i was actually quicker than the Macan Turbo). I have had zero issues over the past 60K miles and can honestly say that this is a do everything daily driver that is engaging to drive and astoundingly reliable.
*What I really wanted was a 3 series wagon with the B58 powertrain – alas, that engine is forbidden fruit for wagons in North America. Settling for the X3 M40i made the most sense. Do better BMW – I’m sure you still have a market for some midrange go-fast wagons in the US.
Excellent choice of car! That B58 is something special. I had the same thought as you, but accepted the lowly B46 to get the F31 wagon body style. If only we could have both!
I’m surprised that the non-Sport settings don’t come with slightly looser steering; on may 2019 Alltrack, there’s a noticeable, albeit not huge, difference.
It’s wild that 5-10 years ago this would have been described as “The biggest damn screen i’ve ever seen in a car outside of a tesla”, yet in 2024 David’s description is 100% fair and accurate.
Try googling a 2014 x3 interior. The screen was like 1/3 the size, and in those days probably got mentioned as being a nice large screen.
You’ve come such a long way lol. From “apparently homeless person in a mail Jeep” to “shower spaghetti” to driving a new BMW on the autobahn.
I’ve been reviewing new cars on the Autobahn for almost a decade now. Every time I come home to visit my parents.
When I saw the picture of the Equinox I thought it was the X3. That is how generic mid-sized suv styling it.
“That’s the area bordered in red on this map:” I picked a bad day to be color blind.
There was a red bordered area on that map? (Hello, fellow red-green colorblind person.)
Dotted line above Munich adjoining the Czech republic.
I also confuse grey and green a lot as well :/ I assume people at work think I’m insane for the colors I choose to highlight spreadsheets or circle things in pictures.
I had to look at a separate map to find what red area he was referring to. Stay strong out there.
I drive the same generation Equinox at work. You are right that it seems really big inside. Honestly it has been fine with only 1 sensor going bad and the AC compressor blowing apart but I just hate driving it. It is just blah. At least if they were bad there would be a something I could hold against it to justify my dislike of it. It gets the job done but I’d rather drive almost anything else including the 15 year old pickup with 1 working speaker and a door you have to lift to close.
It’s all about the CLAR platform and the powertrains.
I haven’t driven one of these in forever, since I had one home for a few days when I worked at the dealer, it was a 2008. My wife didn’t want to return it, she said I should buy it. At the time, I loved my Passat 3.6 4M wagon more and didn’t want to give that up.
The ones I drove would automatically go into park when you turned them off, does this one not?
Good point! But that feels a little…weird. And sometimes you want to keep the motor on!
If you open the door, it might also automatically shift to park, try it and find out!
That is true!
If you carry condoms in your wallet, you’re supposed to leave them in the wrapper.
It helps to not have been beaten with the holy-f-that-is-hilariously-ugly stick
True. It’s handsome. But not over the top.
I think they are going to keep the beaver teeth / grillz styling until “New Class” comes around.
But then again if they are beating Mercedes, that has to say something.
Yup, it was good while it lasted. Have you seen the ’25? Eeesh!