Pros:
- Tight & confident handling
- Decent acceleration
- Refined interior & build quality
Cons:
- Styling is a step back in time
- 8-speed automatic is too shift-happy
- Lacks personality
The second generation BMW X3 is almost the size of the first generation X5. BMW has added to the overall length, width and height, as well as a tiny bit to the wheelbase. The benefits are rear passenger legroom, headroom for all passengers and cargo room. Despite its bigger size, the second generation X3 still reminds you of the original, smaller X3, at least from the front. From the back, the new X3 resembles the new designs of the X5 and X6.
Although the new X3 offers a refreshing take on the original X3, the luxury compact SUV segment is filled with other entrants that offer lots of style and luxury these days. The second generation X3 definitely faces a lot more competition than the first one ever did.
Driving Impressions
Our tester X3 came dressed in Mineral Silver Metallic paint and xDrive35i trim, which means it has a Twin Turbo-charged 3.0 liter DOHC inline six producing 300 HP and 300 lb-ft of torque. It sprints from 0 to 60 in under 6 seconds. This sure sounds pretty fast, but unfortunately the X3 doesn’t “feel” as fast. When you sink the accelerator pedal to the floor, the X3 hesitates a bit before kicking in the power. I’m not sure why, but this delay is definitely noticeable.
After the power kicks in, however, the X3 has no problem accelerating. But then you start to notice that the 8-speed transmission gets right to work and starts upshifting like it’s going out of style. You definitely notice the gear shifts, too. Even when I used the paddle shifters the transmission would step in and upshift for me. I guess that’s the price of best-in-class fuel economy. Flipping the Electronic Damping Control to Sport+ and driving with a lead foot helped with this situation, but it does keep you wondering who’s really in control here.
Once you get up to speed on an expressway or the freeway, however, the X3 is smooth sailing. Try downshifting using the paddle shifters and the X3 sprints forward and you begin to smile. Steering feel is decent and courtesy of the Servotronic vehicle-speed-sensitive power steering, it’s both tight on the highway and effortless in the parking lot. Throwing the Electronic Damping Control into Sport+ also changes the suspension to be firmer than normal, making for a more enjoyable driving experience…for the driver. I don’t recommend this with passengers in the back.
Styling
The second-generation X3 looks “buffer” than the first-generation, having grown in all three dimensions and adopted some styling cues of its bigger siblings. I parked next to a first-gen X3 at the local Wholefoods, and the older X3 looked more like a Toyota RAV4. The best part about the new X3 is the rear. The piped light taillight units look expensive and remind you of those found on the X5 and the new 5 and 7 series. They look much better than the ones on the original X3.
As you move towards the front, the X3’s design becomes less impressive. The profile is meant to look more dynamic and moving, but there is just too much going on. The crease rising up out of the front wheel well that stretches to the back of the X3 appears out of place and doesn’t make much sense, and the greenhouse profile also has too many kinks and angles in the rear quarter panel. The lines aren’t as clean as those on the original.
Then there’s the headlights. BMW has been impressive and successful with each generation of headlight assemblies; they look more like 3D sculptures than just a couple of light bulbs. Te new X3’s headlight units do have that look to them, but the overall shape of these units just look weird and awkward. They’re not as graceful as the ones on the new X5, not to mention the art-like units on the Audi Q5.
The grill is standard BMW, but the designer added an additional slit right on the front bumper that makes the front end look very busy. It may be an attempt at reducing the perceived thickness of the front end, but this is a SUV, it’s supposed to look tall! Overall I would say the second generation X3 is not a looker in the compact luxury SUV segment. There are quite a few lookers in this space such as the Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, Infiniti EX, Cadillac SRX and the upcoming Range Rover Evoque.
Interior Comfort and Ergonomics
The second gen X3 has an upgraded interior that feels as rich as any other new Bimmer these days. The materials look and feel expensive, and the controls are all well-placed. The heated steering wheel and the Fineline Siena wood trim are good indicators of luxury. The seats are comfortable and supportive, the monroney says Oyster Nevada Leather. Either way the seats are fully adjustable in every way imaginable. Pretty comfortable and firm enough to hold you in place around curves.
I have grown to like the electronic gear shift on these new Bimmers. It doesn’t have the good old feel you get from a mechanical shifter but hey, progress is a bitch, eh? The dial that controls the ConnectedDrive is also fairly easy to learn and use, making navigating the different menu options in the nav and media apps easy and efficient. There are so many options in that multimedia unit that I couldn’t play with every single thing by the time my weekend was up with the X3. It even reads emails out loud to you. Amazing.
The new bigger dimensions translate well into interior space. The taller X3 offers a lot of headroom, even with the optional panoramic sunroof. Rear passenger room is decent, and we installed the baby seat in the middle and there was plenty of room to maneuver the kid in and out of the X3. Luggage space is also decent and features a neat track tie down system for those who are sports equipment minded. Or baby stroller minded, as I strapped one down just for kicks.
Value
The X3 xDrive35i starts at just over $41k and with pretty much all the available options and packages our tester came to a tad over $53k MSRP. You can get the cheaper xDrive28i version with the normally aspirated 6-cylinder engine starting at under $37k. These prices are within range of other luxury compact SUV entrants such as the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLK, depending on the trim and submodel you choose. For the amount of luxury goodies and technologies that you’re getting with the X3 xDrive35i, these seem to be small prices to pay. But then again, you’re also paying for brand prestige and the BMW badge seems like a good bet.
Perfect Mix of Luxury and Performance
If you are into outdoor activities and are also interested in nights out on the town in luxury and style, there is a growing number of choices out there for you. You can find something more stylish like the Audi Q5, but the BMW X3 is a good balance between prestige, performance, luxury and safety. If you’re also into driving fast, go for the xDrive35i. Just be prepared to tell everyone that it’s the more expensive and faster X3, because most people won’t be able to tell the difference.
| BUILD | INTERIOR | PERFORMANCE | HANDLING | STYLING | VALUE | OVERALL | |
| RATING | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.25/B+ |
