Choosing the best family car to suit your exact needs is all about compromise. Sure, it's nice to have something low-slung, sporty, and dripping with sex appeal, but just as great is having room for all your friends and loved ones, as well as great fuel economy and comfort.
What you want is a car with no real vices, one that brings you from point A to B, but with a little bit of fun in between and some practicality thrown in the mix. And that brings us neatly to the compact crossover class.
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
5 Essential car insurance facts every car owner should know
Will the next-gen Toyota Vios (finally) be revealed at PIMS 2024?
It’s not the sexiest segment out there, but you do get stylish choices. For the most part, these are the right size and shape for the modern family, particularly those who don’t really need three rows of seating. These are more WOTTs (Wagons On Tall Tires) than SUVs, and while a sedan can still do a good job of doing familial duties, it’s hard to argue with the added versatility that crossovers offer.
The result? Just about every automaker has one of these as its best-selling model. Case in point, the top-selling Toyota in the world is a RAV4, and the most sold Honda worldwide is the CR-V. Seeing a pattern here?
Meanwhile in Germany
In the case of BMW, the X3 has become a runaway success for the folks from Bavaria. It constantly swaps places with the 3-Series for the company’s top-selling model. And while the 3-Series has a longer and more storied history behind it, the X3 banks on sense and sensibility.
Now, there’s an all-new model out, and it’s safe to say that it’s one of the most important launches in the brand’s history. Besides, over 3.5 million have been sold since its introduction, and the thoroughly redesigned version has a lot on its shoulders.
Locally, the X3 makes up a significant chunk of BMW sales in the Philippines. This model is crucial to the local lineup, hence why the company sent us all the way to Germany for our first impressions.
BMW X3: A brief history
Over 3.5 million units in 21 years is no small feat. But the thing is, it wasn’t always smooth sailing for the X3. The first-generation model rolled out in late 2003 for the 2004 model year. One could say that it had the right ingredients to make it great from the get go.
It had some of the underpinnings from the E46 3-Series, possibly one of the greatest chassis BMW had ever made. The raised ground clearance gave customers the perception of ruggedness, and the SUV body promised practicality and versatility. However, it would be criticized for its divisive exterior design, downmarket interior feel, cramped cabin, and harsh ride. One magazine even said it “rides like the axles are welded right to the frame.”
It didn’t help that the first X3 was barely smaller than its bigger brother, the X5. It made it an odd duck in the BMW lineup, quite possibly redundant and pointless. The company had every reason to pull the plug on it following its mixed reception. But the idea of a ‘baby X5’ drew people to showrooms and those folks were more than willing to live with its shortfalls.
Thankfully, BMW didn’t give up on the X3 and one can say that it truly matured by the second generation. Built between 2017 to 2017, it was a complete turnaround from the first-generation with most of the issues addressed. More space, better cabin materials and quality, handsome styling, and a far, far more comfortable ride, all while still handling like a BMW.
The market responded positively to the changes that were implemented in the second generation. It was no longer just a more affordable alternative to the X5, it became a product that could truly stand on its own.
Moving to the now-outgoing third generation from 2017 to 2024, it refined the formula of the model prior to it. Solid, competent, and versatile are just some of the words that best suit it. Our memories of it are still relatively fresh, and we said it was (and still is) a very agreeable car to live with day in and day out.
Whether it was the tried and tested diesel or all-electric iX3, it seemed that the X3 could do no wrong. We’ll go as far in saying that the third-gen X3 is perhaps the most well-rounded model in the range.
And then we get to the all-new model, and it looks like the biggest gamble BMW has taken on its best-seller yet.
What have they done to it?
Oh dear, there’s a lot to unpack here. The last two generations were handsome and generally likable in terms of appearance. But with this fourth generation, it’s downright polarizing. No point in beating around the bush here, there will be those who will call it ugly.
Seeing it in person doesn’t diminish its shock value. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the massive grille, while the flat surfaces and sharp headlights give it a more brash appearance. Did we mention that the grille surround lights up as well? Subtle, it ain’t.
That said, the side profile can be called ‘unmistakably X3.’ If you take a look at all the sides of all the models that have come before, the resemblance is there. So while it’s the most radical looking X3 to date, at least BMW didn’t forget its roots and that customers still want some resemblance from generations that have come before.
Hopping in
But if you think you’ll get some visual relief when you get inside, you’ll be sorely mistaken. The Europeans have practically declared war on buttons, and there are practically none left in the center stack with most in-car functions accessed through the screen.
The wide curved screen houses both the instrument cluster and infotainment system, and has become par for the course in its segment. Admittedly, we still have mixed reactions with the whole screens-slapped-on-the-dash look that almost every European automaker does these days. Ironically, we actually praised the last generation for still having buttons on the center stack.
While we’re a little iffy on its ergonomics, the interior design does emphasize the extra room inside. It’s not that that previous X3 was tight, but the minimalist feel makes it feel even airier and more spacious. The wraparound dash is a nice touch, too.
BMW was rather proud of the materials it used for the cabin, too. A big chunk of it was made from ‘sustainable materials,’ from the seats and steering wheel to the trims and door panels. Mind you, it doesn’t feel too artificial and still feels upmarket, as it should in any BMW.
Under the hood
BMW had two versions of the all-new X3 for us to drive. There’s the 20 xDrive with its 2.0-liter mild-hybrid turbo petrol, and the M50 xDrive that comes out swinging with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. Also on display was the 30e xDrive, a plug-in hybrid, but it wasn’t part of the test drive roster.
If you noticed, there’s no more ‘i’ suffixed at the end of the model designation number. That’s because BMW dropped it for all petrol-powered models. However, the diesels still come with a ‘d’ at the end of model name’s number.
The 2.0-liter mild-hybrid turbo makes 208hp and 330Nm of torque, good figures for a crossover its size. The boosted straight-six on the other hand punches out 398hp and 500Nm of torque…and this isn’t even the full M model yet. As for the plug-in hybrid 30e xDrive, it’s the one we’d like to see here. Not only does it promise great gas mileage, it comes with 299hp and 450Nm of torque.
For the Philippine market, we’re likely to get the 20d xDrive model because this country still (mostly) prefers diesels for anything that resembles an SUV. Mind you, the specs aren’t bad as it still makes 197hp and 400Nm of torque. Oh, it’s a mild-hybrid too so it should get good fuel economy.
The makings of a perfect daily?
We took the 20 xDrive version out for a spin as it’s likely to become the best-selling model worldwide aside from the diesel variant. Admittedly, it’s easy to dismiss this variant as it sits at the bottom of the X3 hierarchy. But even then, the chassis balance is hard to beat. It’s more than wiling to be driven spiritedly and offers enough feed and feedback to the driver to make them feel engaged in the task of driving.
We were glad with the way it drove, too, as Germany has high speed limits along winding country roads. While the norm in Europe, most of us here in Southeast Asia might be surprised to know that a good chunk of Germany’s winding backroads speed limits that range from 80 to 100kph. If you want to keep that speed, you’d better have a great handling car, rain or shine.
And therein lies the brilliance of the X3’s chassis. Okay, in 20 xDrive form, it won’t set the pulses racing for those who take driving seriously. But for those who enjoy a spirited drive up and down provincial roads, it will satisfy most folks. Driving enthusiasts can also respect its high levels of composure and confidence on the twisties.
The best part is, it doesn’t come at the expense of comfort, either. The X3 rides excellently and never jars the passengers. That said, the test car we drove came equipped with adaptive suspension. But even in its default setting (Personal mode), the X3 maintains a great balance between offering a relatively engaging driving experience and smooth drive. And while we’re looking forward to trying the model without the adaptive suspension, we reckon that this new generation has a chassis that is practically free of vices.
But what about the engine? 208hp and 330Nm of torque is just right, but won’t stir the loins of those looking for a sports car-like experience. Heck, it makes even less power than a Toyota RAV4 hybrid. But again, the 20 xDrive variant isn’t a sports car (obviously), and as far as ‘entry-level’ models go, it’s more than enough.
The powertrain combination is hard to fault. The 2.0-liter engine has a good amount of pull from a standstill and has enough grunt to give the driver some overtaking confidence. Admittedly, it feels ‘just right’ in Germany because of the high speed limits and the autobahn (you know, no speed limits), but we imagine that its performance will satisfy most local customers.
Then there’s the transmission. Time and again, we’ve had nothing but praises for the excellent ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. It doesn’t matter which car it’s fitted to, it just, well, does a great job shifting gears. Smooth, seamless, and responsive, it complements the engine to a tee.
The M50 xDrive: A totally different animal
But, of course, there are those who would like an X3 but with heaps more performance. Enter the M50 xDrive, and it’s not just a straight line rocket.
It has about twice the horsepower of the pedestrian 20 xDrive variant, along with an extra 170Nm of torque. We’ll be honest in saying that driving at low speeds is nearly impossible with it. That’s not because it’s only comfortable when driven fast. Rather, it lays down the power with such authority that you don’t notice the speedometer climbing to, er, extra legal speeds.
And the thing is, it accelerates so effortlessly, even if you’re barely stepping on the accelerator. But should you pin the throttle to the floor, it can easily get to 200kph from a standstill with ease.
As for the drive, it can be summed up in three words: Capable, competent, and stable. The steering offered more feel than the standard X3, and it’s certainly a far more engaging experience behind the wheel. Bags of grip even in the wet, and there’s no feeling of waywardness even when pushed in foul weather.
But in creating the M50 xDrive, it results in a bit of a conundrum. If you want a high-performance vehicle, why not just get one in the first place instead of a crossover SUV that goes fast? Yes, the flagship X3 is an impressive feat with the folks from BMW claiming it can lap the demanding Nürburgring Nordschleife faster than an E46 M3.
However, its size and shape limits its true performance. Also, if you want a fast, practical, and relatively compact performance BMW, why not get the M340i Touring (station wagon) that sits lower to the ground, weighs less, and feels even sharper?
But while we’re divided on the whole performance SUV/crossover debate, as far as that genre is concerned, the X3 M50 xDrive is one to consider. Perhaps BMW Philippines can bring in a few examples of it locally.
And the verdict is…
No car is perfect, and the BMW X3, regardless of trim or variant, isn’t immune from that saying. The near-buttonless interior will draw some ire, the ergonomics will require extra seat time and familiarization, not all controls feel intuitive, and the design will draw mixed reactions.
But we can’t help but give a ton of respect for this crossover. All the practicalities you expect from this kind of vehicle is present, and it’s a purchase you can choose with your heart and head. It drives well and rides well, making you wonder why people would rather buy truck-based luxury SUVs and never use them off-road. The size is just right for most, and it has all the ingredients to make it a great daily driver, family car, and road trip vehicle.
Perfect, it ain’t, but the all-new BMW X3 is one heck of an all-rounder.
