Read Caroline’s BMW X3 review for everything you need to know about buying BMW’s popular mid-size luxury SUV in Ireland.
The BMW X3 is one of the brand’s most popular models and a new one has just arrived in Ireland. The fourth generation of the X3 features a brand new design and interior with numerous technical upgrades to keep it one of the best driving SUVs on sale.
While BMW has dropped diesel from the latest 5 Series this part of the world, diesel is still alive and well in the X3 range. That’s sold alongside petrol and plug-in hybrid variants.
The new X3 goes on sale priced from €70,405 and takes on other well-heeled rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the Audi Q5.
Let’s take a closer look.
Design
The new X3 is longer, wider and lower than the model it replaces. The styling is simpler, smoother and more aerodynamic. New features include flush door handles and kidney grille with both vertical and diagonal lines. The LED headlights have a new double L-shaped lighting signature. At the back, new lights and the movement of the registration plate lower down creates a modern, muscular look.
There are a range of alloy wheel designs and new colours such as Dune Grey and Fire Red. The entry into the range is the xLine but there is also the M Sport that enhances the X3’s natural sporty character with more muscular bumpers and 19-inch alloy wheel designs. The M Sport Pro pack is also available and adds a strip of LED lighting around the famous kidney grille and other features.
BMW X3 Interior
The X3 gets a brand new interior with inspiration from other models like the 5 Series, including the BMW Interaction Bar that changes colour depending on what mode you’re in. BMW’s curved display makes an impressive debut with its crystal clear screen and intuitive layout. It runs BMW’s latest operating system and features the climate settings in the screen but the toolbar is always present at the bottom of the screen for quick adjustments. There’s also the traditional iDrive controller on the centre console and a new wireless smartphone charging tray.
There are different trims available including real and synthetic leather, while BMW has also produced more recycled materials for the cabin. The knitted style fabric that covers vast swathes of the dashboard and doors might up BMW’s eco-credentials, but it doesn’t quite look smart enough for the X3. A Mercedes-Benz GLC feels posher inside in terms of the overall cabin finish.
But it is very comfortable and the driving position is good. There are new seats with power adjustment, heating and a memory function. It’s easy to spend a lot of money on packs to get more equipment but the Comfort Plus Pack might be worth it for heated front and rear seats, ventilated front ones, blinds for the rear windows, and a Harmon Kardon sound system, among other features.
Practicality
The X3 feels nicely spacious in the back for even adult passengers. Tri-zone climate control comes as standard across the range and a panoramic glass roof can be added as an option.
The boot is also a bit bigger than before at 570 litres for the petrol and diesel versions, but just 460 litres for the plug-in hybrid. A powered tailgate comes as standard.
Driving the BMW X3
The new BMW X3 is really good to drive and feels very dynamic and athletic on the road. It corners really well and feels very stable and planted. There’s loads of grip from the standard ‘xDrive’ all wheel drive system and the steering is nicely precise too with M Sport models getting even more direct sport steering. The new X3 is lighter and more rigid than before with a re-engineered chassis for greater agility, cornering stability and long-distance comfort compared to the outgoing model. There’s also a wider track at the rear. It’s very quiet inside, even the diesel, thanks to acoustic glazing as standard.
On test was the new X3 20d that uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel mild hybrid engine with 197hp and 400Nm of torque. 0-100 is a nifty 7.7 seconds and it becomes even more responsive when the Sport mode is selected from ‘My Modes’ on the centre console. There are also paddles behind the steering wheel for the 8-speed automatic and a Boost paddle for 10 second stints of maximum power and torque.
It’s very smooth and refined to drive and returned good economy of 6.1 litres per 100 kilometres during my time with it. The test car had optional adaptive suspension, which allows a little more adjustability between damper settings comfort and sport. The X3 blends excellent long distance comfort with a firmer character should you find yourself on a twisty mountain road. You might just want to take the long way home.
Other power options include a new petrol plug-in hybrid with more EV range than before (up to 90 kilometres) and a 2.0-litre petrol mild hybrid. There’s also the range-topping X3 M50 with the most powerful six-cylinder, in-line petrol engine ever fitted to an M Performance model.
BMW X3 Price
The X3 range kicks off from €70,405 for the petrol plug-in hybrid xLine. M Sport models start from €72,615. The 2.0 petrol starts from €77,285 and the 2.0 diesel from €77,245 or from €80,015 for the M Sport.
Verdict
The new BMW X3 is one of the nicest mid-size, premium SUVs on sale. It has become even more expensive and in parts the interior doesn’t quite live up to that. But the combination of its smooth new looks, digital cabin and excellent on the road performance still make it ever so desirable. Diesel also really suits the X3 and with it gone from some other of the brand’s range, it’s bound to give the X3 a well-deserved boost.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
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