Every now and then, a car manufacturer has to update a model in its range, a model that has been considered the peak of its class. In order to stay on top of the competition, they have to resort to extraordinary research and development. However, BMW’s X3 used to be exactly the opposite, being considered the biggest flop of the Bavarian company. What was needed was a new car constructed from the ground up, something that wouldn’t even suggest a hint about the outgoing model, something that would reinstall BMW on the pedestal it had been craving for all along.
The new generation small SUV is not that… small any more. Since the launch of the former generation, a new class of vehicles has sprouted: the crossover. This has determined the Germans to create the X1. Thus, the new X3 had to grow larger in size, so much so that it is now more or less the same as the original X5.
Long gone are the bulky, black plastic bumpers and shaky lines. Smoothness and all-round quality are the new standard. BMW has decided to play on the safe side this time: there are no distinct elements on the car, but a blend of characteristics from its smaller and larger brothers. One might actually confuse the X3 with some of the other models in the range, possibly the X5… That’s a good thing!
Engine and transmission
The engine chapter depends on the side of the Earth you’re looking from: if you live in Europe your best choice is one of the diesels, probably the 2-liter, as it offers the best compromise between performance and economy. If you can afford the greater cost of purchase and running, go for the 3-liter. It will still deliver great fuel economy, but also set your heart racing from time to time. If however you are from somewhere in Saudi Arabia, choose the 3 liter petrol engine with twin turbo. It’s exactly the same powerplant you will find in the 335i and it will transform your wallet into a money black-hole.
We had the opportunity of testing the smaller diesel coupled with the excellent 8-speed automatic gearbox. There is absolutely no situation in which this combination fails: on the motorway it is relaxing, on country roads it is exciting, on off-road it is more than competent. The X3 comes in both 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive, however, our advice to you is this: if you want an SUV with rear wheel drive, drop that idea and just buy a cheaper 3-series instead. You will be better-off.
Driving dynamics
This is where the X3 surprises: it behaves nothing like one would expect a tall lump-of-a-car to behave. Once you set up the vehicle characteristics to your desired driving mode, this machine truly becomes amazing: on a twisty road it will hug the bends just like a bigger estate car would, while in the mud it will surely overpass your expectations: we managed to take it up a slippery mountain on tracks that were surely not in the minds of the designers. True owners of this car will never actually take it to its limits, the peak of its 4 by 4 life will probably be a sidewalk in the city center.
The vehicle manages to impress in all situations thanks to the great array of driving assistants, helpers, butlers, permanent all-wheel drive, all meant to keep you out of the ditches (or get you out of them when you act naughty and get there on purpose). Hill descent control came in handy on the return from the slippery mountain and lived up to the description in the owners manual: it enabled us to descend with a constant speed without touching the brakes, even on snow. Ok, the ride is a little bumpy and somewhat soft and eventually we found the limits of the x-drive, but in 95% of situations, the X3 will surely be sufficient.
Comfort, price and conclusion
This is the BMW’s weak spot: the price you have to pay for a decent car. More on the subject of this particular car: 57 thousand euros!! You can buy a full option Kia Sportage and a Peugeot 508 for that money!! How much does one have to want an X3 in order to pay so much money? It’s not a range topping model nor does it come with all the options one might really want. To be fair, the fit and finish on the German range is not equaled by many others, it will not fall apart in the first years regardless of the usage type and it will hold its value well come resale time. It is a very good and competent car and it is a great sequel to a disastrous first episode, but for a serious amount of money.
Very interesting article. The photos are amazing!!!
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