BMW X3 xDrive30i M Sport 2018 Review

It's always pleasing to test a new car model just as its maker intended, and to that end we gave BMW's new X3 xDrive30i the ultimate test over two weeks: city duties plus an interstate family camping holiday.

The mid-range and petrol-engined X3 xDrive30i slots into a four-strong X3 line-up. Kicking off with the entry-level sDrive20i, a petrol-engined rear-drive model, the range also encompasses two all-wheel drive diesels – the xDrive20d and xDrive30d.

Our press vehicle's 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol powerplant produces claimed maximum output of 185kW/350Nm, compared to 135kW/290Nm for the sDrive20i, 140kW/400Nm for the xDrive20d and 195kW/620Nm for the xDrive30d, the latter the only six-cylinder unit.

A high-performance 'M' variant is set to join the X3 ranks in mid-2018, its potent 265kW/500Nm output promising a whole new level of performance.

While a full rundown on the changes ushered in with the latest X3 generation is available in our launch report on the new platform, the headlines can be summed up with one word: 'more'. More interior space, more performance, more technology and more features – BMW has amped up virtually every aspect in the new X3, to ensure examples of this already well-entrenched model continue to roll off showroom floors in swift succession.

Actually, the one major feature that hasn't followed the 'more' theme is the vehicle's luggage capacity, which remains at 550 litres (or 1600 litres with the second-row seating folded down). Still, that didn't pose too many issues when packing for our interstate camping trip, as we squeezed in a tent, cooking gear, bedding, gas cylinders and more. Yes, the X3 was near bursting at the seams, and my two kids were only located at journey's end following some serious 'excavation', but the X3 got the job done – and without requiring a trailer or roof pod.

It's also quite versatile when shouldering a load, thanks to the split rear seating's 40:20:40 arrangement. The seating folds quite flat too, while in general rear passengers enjoy plenty of legroom and headroom, and there are two ISOFIX mounting points for capsules and/or booster seats.

The X3 really excels, however, when it comes to performance and comfort. Our press vehicle benefits from an extensive range of factory options and accessories, most notably an M Sport Package. This $3800 package comprises M Sport brakes, M leather steering wheel, roof rails, LED foglights, M aerodynamics package, dynamic damper control and a host of premium interior trim, the latter including the 'Vernasca Canberra Beige' cloth/leather upholstery.

Add to that a rear comfort package (rear headrests, sunblinds and seat heating – $1820), 21-inch alloys ($1300), metallic paint ($1950), panoramic sunroof ($3000), Harman/Kardon surround sound ($2000), ambient lighting ($700) and driver and front passenger lumbar support ($600), among others. All up they push the car's price to a heady $92,220 plus on-roads, but after hopping behind the wheel the premium feel and long list of features shouldn't leave anyone feeling short-changed.

Luxuriously leather/cloth seating and dash coverings combine with lustrous 'Poplar Grain Grey' wood trim, piano black fascia, tasteful 'Pearl Chrome' highlights and LED mood lighting to create a sublime interior, capped off – literally in this vehicle's case – by the expansive panoramic sunroof.

The beige leather trim looks superb but isn't the most practical choice for families with younger kids, the surface showing grim and marks readily. It is, however, easy to clean, as leather seating should be.

The 2.0-litre turbo petrol is a spirited performer but it appreciates some revs before it really gets motoring. Ticking along just over 1500rpm in eighth gear at 100km/h, there's a momentary lag when the pedal drops but then the auto swaps cogs swiftly and smoothly, the X3 taking off from around 4000rpm and producing plenty of grunt for fast highway overtakes between that and its indicated 7000rpm redline. BMW quotes an entirely respectable 0-100km/h figure of 6.3sec.

The multi-mode auto transmission is a winner and certainly there's plenty of performance on tap for fun, sporty motoring. Even more impressive is how the chassis and suspension come to the party, delivering confident handling that's more akin to a sedan than an SUV, complete with Sports/Comfort/Eco and Adaptive modes that really do make an appreciable real-world difference.

BMW quotes an ADR Combined fuel figure of 7.6L/100km, but loaded up and over our interstate run we achieved a significantly thirstier figure of 9.0L/100km. Still, that's a safe working range of over 700km per tank.

The wide-screen multi-media display is crisp and clear while the multi-function wheel and button set-up on the centre console renders most tasks easily accomplished. A wealth of information about the car and navigation and myriad entertainment options are all on offer, with the menu system for the most part intuitive and easy to negotiate.

We loved the ability to dial up a range of info via the BMW Connected app on our smartphone. This shows the vehicle's current fuel range, a video camera view of the vehicle surrounds and more – you can even lock or unlock the car remotely via the app or set the climate control prior to a scheduled departure time.

Any family-minded vehicle should thoroughly address safety and here it's hard to fault the new X3. With the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, our press vehicle boasts a comprehensive complement of airbags plus an advanced stability control system that's almost imperceptible in its smooth intervention.

A head-up display can be tailored to show a range of pertinent info and then there's adaptive (radar) cruise control, speed limiter, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning with active lane-keeping, autonomous emergency braking and an array of external cameras to make parking a breeze (and keep those beautiful 21-inch rims safe from scuffs).

Actually, while those low-profile rims certainly look the business they do seem to contribute to a degree of 'brittleness' over smaller and sharper road imperfections, while they also boost road noise over coarse-chip surfaces. The latter isn't a major issue, however – in fact it's only really noticeable in contrast to X3's remarkably quiet ride on smoother tarmac.

The only other issues we noticed during our time in the X3 were minor indeed. There are two USB outlets up front (one in the tray at the bottom of the centre stack and one in the centre console bin) but there aren't any in the rear. However, rear seat passengers do get a central 12-volt outlet, which could just as easily accommodate a twin-USB plug. And the roller cover for the front tray is attractive, but the lid it set so low that you can't close it with a cord plugged into the USB slot – annoying if you want to leave a connected phone in the car but don't want it on show to prying eyes. All very minor glitches in an otherwise very impressive package…

Luxury SUVs sell well in Australia and BMW's new X3 is surely set to see that trend continue. The xDrive30i is packed with features that blend seamlessly into a beautifully integrated package; add in the performance, comfort and versatility, and the future of the X3 looks assured.

2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i pricing and specifications:
Price: $75,900 (plus on-road costs) / $92,220 (as tested, 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: Five-star ANCAP

Related reading:
>> BMW X3 2017 Review
>> BMW X3 Australian launch video
>> BMW X3 vs Volvo XC60 2018 Comparison