BMW X3 2017 Review

Since 2003 the BMW X3 has become a staple of the premium mid-size SUV market.

Through two generations the American-made five-seater has found more than 1.5 million buyers globally and, locally – despite its age – it continues to sell incredibly well, ranking third in its class for sales behind Land Rover’s Discovery Sport and the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class (to September this year).

Now, the third-generation X3 is here. Arriving just weeks after its international launch, the three-model range will retail from $68,900 (plus on-road costs); and for now offers the choice of three engines: two diesel and one petrol.

From launch, the model walk-up sees the outgoing – and $5000 cheaper xDrive20i (petrol) – replaced with the xDrive20d (diesel) at the entry end of the X3 range. It’s topped by the xDrive30i (petrol), a new variant which retails from $75,900 (plus ORCs) and the range-topping xDrive30d (diesel) from $83,900 (plus ORCs).

The X3 sDrive20i – a two-wheel drive, 2.0-litre petrol variant – is expected to join the range from March next year (2018).

A high-performance 265kW/500Nm ‘M’ version of the X3 dubbed M40i will also join the range towards the middle of 2018. With a 0-100km/h time of just 4.8sec, it will take on the likes of Audi’s SQ5, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 and even Porsche’s sizzling Macan S.

The more things change…
For Australia, direct-injected turbocharged powertrains for the G01-series X3 range are familiar to those found elsewhere in the BMW portfolio.

The all all-wheel drive range sees impressive increases in power and torque – and worthy reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions (see below) – on all except the entry grade xDrive20d, which continues to offer 140kW/400Nm.

The new mid-grade xDrive30i offers 185kW/350Nm from its 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit, a hefty 50kW/80Nm increase over the outgoing petrol entry unit, while the top-shelf xDrive30d – the only six-cylinder in the current range – makes 195kW/620Nm, or 5kW/60Nm more than the F25-series predecessor.

The gutsy diesel variant also ups the X3’s braked towing capacity to 2400kg (+400kg).

All variants are fitted as standard with a multi-mode eight-speed automatic transmission.

Increased aluminium componentry, particularly for the engine and suspension and in the bonnet and front doors, have reduced the X3’s kerb weight (1715-1820kg) by as much as 55kg – despite an increase in overall size.

The new X3 measures 4708mm long (+51mm), 1891mm wide (+10mm), 1676mm tall (+15mm) and rides on a 2864mm wheelbase (+54mm) making it just larger than the original X5.

Despite the increases, cargo capacity remains unchanged (550-1600 litres). A 40:20:40-split folding rear seat is offered as standard. The boot is accessed via a now-standard electric tailgate with concealed struts.

Modest increases in cabin space see front headroom grow by 12mm, shoulder-room by 7mm and legroom by 3mm. Rear-seat knee-room grows 6mm.

The X3 rides on larger alloy wheels and run-flat tyres ranging in diameter from 19 to 21 inches. The 12.0m turning circle also errs on the big side.

The standard equipment list also includes digital radio, Business Navigation, tri-zone climate control (with rear vents on all models), cruise control, head-up display, auto parking, speed zone recognition, and combination cloth and leather upholstery with a powered driver’s seat.

A long list of options is available, including BMW’s new Display Key, a kind of remote control for your car that enables the owner to view the vehicle’s security status, check which lights are on or off, the vehicle’s servicing status, and even the distance to empty.

The key can also precondition the climate control before setting off, and in some markets, remotely park the car.

Safety is of course well catered for (although the new X3 is yet to receive an ANCAP crash rating), including a litany of airbags and electronic chassis controls, plus blind-spot, cross-traffic, hill-descent and lane-keeping assistants, a reversing camera and even lane-change assist capable of assessing the available space in a lane of traffic and moving the vehicle into the space to overtake all on its own.

The X3’s cabin offers seating for four adults (five at a pinch) with both (three) top-tether and (two) ISOFIX child-seat anchorages fitted in the second row. At this stage BMW has no intention of offering a seven-seat version of the X3.

All BMW passenger vehicles arrive with a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and condition-based servicing schedule.

It’s also obvious BMW has invested heavily in materials and build quality. The cabin not only takes styling cues from the 5 Series, but also many of the large sedan’s finishes. There are plenty of soft-touch materials and a pleasant blend of textures, producing an upmarket feel. Even the switchgear is nicer to look at and operate.

The level of refinement extends to the X3’s ride and handling balance, too. The longer wheelbase helps iron out bumps while the adaptive dampers offer a discernible difference between their various modes, Comfort and Sport arming the mid-size SUV with distinctly different on-road mannerisms.

On the twisting mountain roads outside of Port Douglas the X3 proved tenacious, its taut chassis holding corners with sedan-like confidence. If there are any complaints it’s that the steering lacks feel and feedback, something we hope is addressed on the upcoming M40i variant.

The drivetrains showed a quiet confidence we’ve come to expect from BMW’s newer engines and, except for the 30i, adhered closely to their claimed fuel consumption figures. At 12.9L/100km the petrol engine may prove too thirsty for some.

For our money, the 30d is the pick of the bunch with effortless torque and superlative overtaking grunt, and a frugal mileage figure of 8.3L/100km. The smaller 20d unit feels adequate for around-town running, and achieved 8.1L/100km on the launch route.

As a refined, more mature and better built model than the one it replaces, BMW’s take on the mid-size luxury SUV genre is one that family and prestige vehicle buyers alike should quickly warm to.

There are very few compromises this time round, and with the level of safety and sophistication expected in this market segment, it seems the bigger third-generation X3 is set to continue BMW’s SUV success story.

2017 BMW X3 xDrive20d pricing and specifications:
Price: $68,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/400Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 149g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: TBC

2017 BMW X3 xDrive30i pricing and specifications:
Price: $75,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 185kW/350Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 174g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: TBC

2017 BMW X3 xDrive30d pricing and specifications:
Price: $83,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 195kW/620Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 159g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: TBC

X3 trivia:
It might seem odd that a German-designed, American-built SUV should have an Aussie connection, yet the designer of the X3 (and the X1 and facelifted 1 Series) is none other than Sydney-born Calvin Luk. At 32, Luk is one of the youngest exterior designers at BMW and has been with the company for nearly 10 years. He says his inspiration is in part owed to his parents’ (E36) BMW 3 Series and a poster of a Lamborghini Countach that still adorns his wall. Luk now resides in Munich, but was back in Oz to help launch his pride and joy in his native market.

Related reading:
>> BMW X3 International Launch Review
>> BMW X3 Video Review