BMW X3 xDrive20d 2018 Review

The BMW X3 might not dominate its market segment in the same manner as big-brother X5, but it has been a steady top-three seller among premium mid-size SUVs for at least the last three years.

In fact, at the end of 2017, it was sitting ahead (just) of the X1 and X5 as the most popular car in the entire BMW lineup, confirming the pivotal role SUVs play just about anywhere you look in today’s marketplace.

And in its third generation the X3 has continued to mature. It is well separated from the sceptically-viewed original that came here in July 2004.

We’ve made the point before,  but today’s X3 is actually larger in every dimension except overall height than BMW’s first SUV, the original E53 X5 that was first seen on local shores in November 2000.

With the advent of an all-new platform, the X3’s wheelbase, length and width have been expanded to continue its long-standing reputation for delivering impressive load space. The cabin has become bigger, weight has gone down by as much as 55kg and aerodynamics have been improved so the high-riding SUV now boasts a slippery drag coefficient of 0.29.

There’s also a wealth of new technology that sees all models fitted out with (low speed) autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian avoidance, BMW Driving Assistant with approach control, speed sign recognition, lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist, in addition to soft-road electronic aids including hill-descent control.

The xDrive20d (diesel, tested here) comes as standard with BMW’s xDrive full-time AWD system, as well as an eight-speed auto transmission. The 2.0-litre oiler produces an adequate 140kW/400Nm that equals competitors such as the 2.0-litre diesel Audi Q5, pips the 2.1-litre Mercedes-Benz GLC in kilowatts and outdoes both in terms of power/weight ratio.

The X3 xDrive20d is quoted with a consumption figure of 5.7L/100km, which is within cooee of Audi and Benz, while the 149g/km CO2 figure is no cause for embarrassment against the Audi (139g/km) and Benz (146g/km).

The third-generation X3 has made big gains in interior presentation – particularly when lined up alongside the 2004 original. Cabin refinement, comfort and standard fittings leave no doubt about its status in the mid-size SUV segment.

The xDrive20d shares its basic equipment with the rear-drive sDrive20i,  but there’s no suggestion of entry-level: It comes with colour head-up display, BMW’s latest iDrive6 system, Business navigation with a new 6.5-inch screen, LED headlights supported by fixed cornering lights, real-time traffic information, powered front sports seats and wireless phone charging.

The review X3 went further of course: Ticks on the options box included a glass sunroof, metallic paint, Driving Assistant Plus (which nudges the car towards self-driving capability), upgraded leather upholstery and BMW’s Innovations Package that includes Comfort Access, self-parking, adaptive LED headlights and an upgraded, multi-functional instrument display. These all helped bump the price, at $88,130 before on-road costs, by almost $20K.

These are the things you tend to think about as you sit cosily, stretching comfortably in the genuinely spacious cabin, while viewing the outside world through a light and airy glasshouse. There’s no doubt you are riding in a premium SUV.

And the xDrive20d’s 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, even if is essentially unchanged from the previous X3, is a capable performer arguably made even moreso by the third-generation’s weight reductions and the improved aerodynamics.

It is no doubt pretty hushed for a four-cylinder diesel, and the power and torque are consistent with its true competitors. But it doesn’t take long to realise that this is no performance diesel – that task is left to the hunky 195kW/620Nm 3.0-litre six-cylinder used in the xDrive30d flagship.

In most situations, the 2.0-litre does a fine job and there’s no suggestion of any lack. However, on some occasions when you’re wanting a little more, you might find there’s not as much in reserve as you hoped.

Still, the 5.7L/100km fuel economy is reasonable recompense (we managed a pretty good 6.5L/100km on test) and the claimed zero to 100km/h figure of 8.0sec isn’t really all that bad. And the tight-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission helps extract the engine’s best, whether you’re accelerating off the line or out dealing with traffic on the freeway.

The latest X3 actually feels quite sporty on the road. Twirling from lock to lock in 2.5 turns, the steering would seem to be relatively quick until you realise the wheels aren’t swivelling all that far.

The turning circle is a not-so-impressive 12.0m, a slight unwieldiness that is probably partly dictated by the big 19-inch wheels and their 245/50 (run-flat) tyres. But the steering response remains accurate and the tending-to-light weighting will suit most buyers – who won’t be expecting the four-cylinder diesel X3 to drive like an M5 anyway.

Consistent with this, there are no beefs about ride quality. With a wheelbase that is closer to 2.9 than 2.8m, the X3 handles most of what’s thrown at it with no problems.

And, of course, there’s always the xDrive AWD system to help keep you tracking accurately, almost despite the conditions. In normal situations distributing the torque in a 40:60 front to rear split, the system is able to send as much as 100 per cent of the power to either end if the situation demands.

This is quite different to many of today’s on-demand AWD systems that operate as front-drivers until extra traction is needed and the back wheels kick in. In this case, driving just the front wheels most of the time naturally helps fuel consumption, but looking at the xDrive20d’s frugal nature suggests a good job has been done maintaining efficiency despite the permanent AWD.

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And what about the practical side?

It might be surprising to learn that despite its slightly larger dimensions, the third-generation X3 quotes exactly the same luggage capacity as the second-generation – from 550 litres all seats in place to 1600 litres with everything folded flat. BMW was clearly happy with the second-generation load area, so the designers put all their attention on maximising the cabin.

Yes, the X3 remains a happy cargo consumer. Helped by the powered tailgate and the levers in the boot that remotely drop the 40:20:40 split-fold rear seats gracefully into their folded-flat position, loading is about as pleasant as it’s ever going to get. And, yes again, the X3 will take a full-size mountain bike, wheels intact, without a problem.

The X3 will also tow a braked trailer/caravan weighing up to two tonnes, equalling the Audi Q5 but lagging behind the GLC Benz which accepts as much as 2500kg.

There’s no question that the third-generation BMW X3 does everything a fundamentally all-new model should.

It keeps a close watch on its competitors in terms of price – and has just become more competitive with the arrival of the new, rear-drive entry-level model – while matching them in terms of practicalities, performance and comfort.

Three years of unlimited-kilometre warranty and individually calculated servicing intervals keep the BMW on equal footing with pretty much everybody except the Lexus NX, which offers four years/100,000km of warranty. BMW roadside assist is available for the full three-year period too, and there’s an optional five-year/80,000km prepaid servicing programme.

The latest VFACTS sales figures for 2017 show the X3 was closing in, despite lower figures than in 2016, on the declining Mercedes-Benz GLC for second spot in the segment even before the launch of the third generation.

One thing appears certain: The BMW X3 is not about to lose its spot among the top three upper-level medium-size SUVs anytime soon.

2018 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: Five-star ANCAP