The BMW X3 is a staple within the luxurious mid-sized SUV world, and it’s displaying no signal of slowing down.
So far in 2023 it’s been a top-three vendor in its class (high two when you take away the cheaper, electrical Tesla Mannequin Y), and it’s been comfortably the best-selling automotive for BMW in Australia.
A lot has modified for the reason that present X3 launched. Now six years outdated, it was up to date final 12 months with a contemporary look and inside know-how, together with the next price ticket. It’s additionally about to face off with new competitors within the type of the Mercedes-Benz GLC300.
Our spy photographers have snapped the next-generation X3 testing within the snow however it’s not anticipated to debut till subsequent 12 months on the earliest, so there’s loads of life left within the automotive you see right here but.
Does the X3 nonetheless have what it takes to face out from the group?
How a lot does the BMW X3 xDrive30i price?
Pricing jumped throughout the X3 vary for 2023. The xDrive30i on check right here is up by $4600 in comparison with the an identical automotive in 2022.
Regardless of the value hike, it nonetheless undercuts the brand new Mercedes-Benz GLC300 ($104,900) based mostly on listing worth. It’s considerably dearer than the equal Audi Q5 45 TFSI quattro ($82,800).
You too can get a Volvo XC60 Final B6 Darkish for $86,990 earlier than on-roads, or a Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD Sport for $84,600 earlier than on-roads.
2023 BMW X3 pricing:
- BMW X3 sDrive20i: $81,700
- BMW X3 xDrive20d: $84,700
- BMW X3 xDrive30i M Sport: $96,500
- BMW X3 xDrive30d M Sport: $102,900
- BMW X3 xDrive30e M Sport: $110,400
- BMW X3 M40i: $125,400
- BMW X3 M Competitors: $175,300
Costs exclude on-road prices
What’s the BMW X3 xDrive30i like on the within?
The present BMW X3 has one of many largest, most sensible cabins within the mid-sized SUV class.
With large home windows, a excessive roofline, and loads of house between the entrance seats, it may very well be confused for a much bigger automotive at first look. That’s no accident, given the X3 is dimensionally similar to the first-generation X5.
The driving place provides a panoramic view of the highway forward, however the sports activities seats drop low sufficient and supply sufficient bolstering to nonetheless maintain you in place.
Tall or brief drivers received’t have any hassle getting snug, and the M Sport steering wheel is a high quality merchandise.
It may be a bit too fats for folks with small fingers, although. BMW loves a chubby steering wheel, and the X3 is not any exception.
All-round visibility is superb because of these outsized home windows, and the cameras, sensors, and 3D surround-view constructed into the most recent iDrive system make the X3 a cinch to position in tight garages or parking spots.
Certain, a rising belt line and coupe roofline look sharp, however the extra standard wagon physique on this SUV is much extra sensible.
The know-how within the up to date X3 is superb. iDrive 7.0 has been usurped within the newest BMW electrical vehicles, however the system is up there with the perfect within the enterprise – though at this worth, it actually must be proper on the bleeding edge.
It responds to the touch, voice, and inputs from the traditional BMW controller on the transmission, and the large on-screen tiles are simple to discern on the transfer. BMW was the primary to supply wi-fi Apple CarPlay, and its system stays one of the vital dependable.
BMW has some work to do on its digital dashboard, although, which might’t match the most recent Audi Digital Cockpit for customisability or readability. Our tester additionally had some misaligned trim items across the local weather controls, which isn’t ok in a luxurious SUV.
There’s loads of storage up entrance, from the wi-fi cellphone charger beneath the dashboard to the deep house beneath the central armrest.
The rear seats within the X3 are wonderful. Headroom is standout, even with the panoramic sunroof fitted to our tester, and there’s sufficient legroom for tall teenagers to get snug.
You’ll get three folks throughout in consolation because of the broad bench, and the door opening is broad sufficient to make loading youngster seats simple.
There are air vents again there, standalone local weather controls, twin USB-C ports, and a fold-down central armrest with cupholders.
You get ISOFIX factors on the outboard rear seats, together with three top-tether factors. The rear bench folds 40/20/40, and will get fairly near utterly flat.
The boot opening itself is huge, and options netted pockets tucked into its sides. Claimed house is 550 litres with the rear seats in place, increasing to 1600 litres with them folded.
What’s below the bonnet?
Energy within the xDrive30i comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 185kW of energy and 350Nm of torque, mated with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed ZF computerized transmission.
The 100km/h dash takes a claimed 6.3 seconds, and claimed gasoline financial system is 7.9 litres per 100km. We noticed 8.3 litres per 100km over per week of combined driving.
The gasoline tank holds 65 litres, and 95 RON premium unleaded gasoline is required.
How does the BMW X3 xDrive30i drive?
The X3 may slot into the mid-sized SUV section on paper, however it drives like a much bigger automotive.
It feels rock strong, and the two.0-litre engine punches effectively above its weight. We’ve raved in regards to the diesel engine within the 30d, however the turbocharged petrol within the 30i has a lot to supply as effectively.
BMW has tuned in a fruity flare of revs whenever you flip it on, however for essentially the most half it flies below the radar with clean, easy efficiency. It’s silent at idle, with no vibration within the cabin, and the eight-speed transmission simply slurs from gear-to-gear on the town to maintain the engine under about 2500rpm.
Put your foot down and it revs out easily, with loads of punch within the mid-range and a pleasant noise behind it. It lacks the final diploma of easy shove you get within the 30d, however at no level does the X3 really feel like an enormous automotive with a small coronary heart.
A lot of the X3 fashions bought in Australia are the M Sport, like our tester. Meaning you get large wheels, sporty seems to be, and loads of M badging.
In contrast to the correct X3 M, nevertheless, you additionally get a suspension tune that’s snug within the metropolis. It nonetheless errs on the facet of sportiness, however nonetheless does an excellent job holding nasty metropolis streets on the skin. It’s a bit busier than some rivals; the trade-off is superb physique management and a rock strong feeling on the freeway.
With gentle steering, wonderful visibility, and a few of the greatest cameras within the enterprise, there’s no excuse for scraped bumpers or wheels.
Up the pace and the X3 settles down properly. It’s very environment friendly at a cruise, with the dwell gasoline financial system readout sitting at round 6.0 litres per 100km with the engine ticking over at 100km/h in eighth gear, and there’s little or no wind or highway noise.
It settles shortly over freeway crests and dips, and there’s nonetheless sufficient punch in reserve for overtakes at nation freeway speeds.
The adaptive cruise management system is without doubt one of the smoothest and smartest within the enterprise, and the lane-keep help strikes the correct steadiness between getting concerned whenever you drift, and leaving you to your individual gadgets whenever you don’t.
With its tall window line, elevated driving place, and fairly comfort-oriented trip, the X3 doesn’t possess the new hatch-like agility of a Porsche Macan, nor the laser focus of its X3 M Competitors large brother.
It’s tied down effectively sufficient to deal with the ability on supply, and the steering packs sufficient weight to encourage cheap confidence within the bends.
What do you get?
X3 sDrive20i + xDrive20d highlights:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Run-flat tyres
- Aluminium roof rails
- Adaptive LED headlights
- LED tail lights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Energy-folding facet mirrors
- Heated
- Anti-dazzle (driver’s facet solely)
- Auto-dipping (passenger’s facet solely)
- Energy tailgate
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- 6-speaker sound system
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- 3yr ConnectedDrive Providers subscription
- Tri-zone local weather management
- Ambient lighting
- Electrical parking brake
- Keyless entry and push-button begin
- Sport leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Black ‘Sensatec’ leatherette upholstery
- Energy-adjustable entrance sport seats with driver reminiscence
X3 xDrive30i M Sport + xDrive30d M Sport add:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- M Aerodynamics package deal
- BMW M high-gloss black window highlights
- BMW M high-gloss black roof rails
- M Sport brakes
- 12-speaker sound system
- M leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Anthracite headliner
- M inside trim
- M door sill trims
- ‘Vernasca’ leather-based upholstery
- Driver’s seat bolster adjustment
Choices
Visibility Bundle: $5400 (20i, 20d, 30i, 30d)
- Metallic paint
- Panoramic glass sunroof
- BMW Laserlight headlights
Consolation Bundle: $1200 (20i, 20d, 30i, 30d)
- Heated entrance seats
- Driver lumbar assist
- Heated steering wheel
Is the BMW X3 xDrive30i protected?
The pre-facelift BMW X3 managed a five-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on checks carried out by Euro NCAP in 2017.
It acquired scores of 93 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 84 per cent for youngster occupant safety, 70 per cent for weak highway person safety, and 58 per cent for security help.
This five-star ANCAP ranking applies to all variants besides the xDrive30e plug-in hybrid.
Normal security options embrace:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Lane departure warning
- Lane change warning
- Cruise management
- Rear-view digicam
- Reverse parking sensors
- Reversing assistant
Stepping as much as the xDrive30i or above will get you security options together with junction help, blind-spot monitoring, entrance and rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep help, adaptive cruise management with cease/go, and surround-view digicam.
How a lot does the BMW X3 xDrive30i price to run?
The BMW X3 is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee just like the broader BMW vary.
BMW Australia provides Service Inclusive pre-paid packages that cowl the primary 5 years or 80,000km – whichever comes first.
The usual Service Inclusive Primary package deal prices $2400 for the core X3 vary.
CarExpert’s Tackle the BMW X3 xDrive30i
It’s dearer than ever, however the X3 nonetheless has a lot to supply in 2023.
The inside is beginning to present its age, one thing that’ll solely change into extra pronounced when the brand new Mercedes-Benz GLC touches down, however it stays essentially the most sensible luxurious mid-sized SUV on the market, and there’s nothing out-of-date about the best way it drives.
Though the punchy diesel engine sitting above it within the vary is tempting, and the rear-wheel drive sDrive20i is considerably cheaper, the 30i nonetheless represents a candy spot for many consumers.
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