BMW X3 sDrive 20i 2019 Review

Well, it’s about the fact that the X3 sDrive20i is the entry model for the US-built BMW X3 range.

It fleshes out the X3’s potential audience in the $60k-plus mid-size SUV segment. Its importance, in not just BMW’s presence in the SUV segment, but also its role in the entire Australian market, can’t be overstated.

On current year-to-date sales figures the X3 is by far the best-selling of all BMWs, ahead of 1 Series, 3 Series, X1 and X5 and, significantly, second only to the class-leading Mercedes-Benz GLC in the $60k-plus mid-size SUV segment.

BMW X3s begin right here, at $66,259 before on-roads for the sDrive20i, and peak at $99,529 for the thumping 265kW/500Nm 3.0-litre six-cylinder M40i.

The rear-drive, four-cylinder sDrive 20i X3 is anything but bare-bones.

On top of regular safety tech such as autonomous emergency braking – in forward and reverse – pedestrian avoidance and lane-keep assist, it is also able to park itself and comes with a power tailgate, sat-nav, leather trim and head-up display.

Not present are adaptive cruise control, front and side cameras and wireless phone charging. And BMW, among others, is dragging its heels in terms of warranty, sticking with the age-old three-year/unlimited-kilometre deal.

Serving intervals are decided not by time or kilometres, but by the way the vehicle has been used, while a prepaid five-year/80,000km servicing deal is available.

It’s pleasing to be able to state that despite its down-powered 135kW/290Nm 2.0-litre engine (compared to the also 2.0-litre xDrive30i’s 185kW/350Nm outputs) and rear-drive configuration, the sDrive20i X3 behaves in the way we expect of a BMW.

The turbo-four engine note only intrudes – and barely – when it’s working hard through the gears, otherwise approaching the smoothness of a six-cylinder. And the eight-speed auto is so sweet that you end up taking for granted its intuitive shifting, unobtrusiveness and efficiency.

Yep, there’s a bit of initial reluctance on step-off and the driver sometimes needs to speak forcefully in order to get a serve of meaningful acceleration, but the base-model X3 compensates with virtually sedan-like steering responses, wonderful composure and strong road grip from its 245/50R19 tyres.

As for the fact it’s merely rear-drive, well, it would be fair to say most owners won’t even notice it except for the occasional scrabbling for traction when planting the foot at slow speeds with steering lock applied on loose grave – which the traction control systems take care of anyway.

The fuel consumption on test, rewardingly, equalled the official 7.4L/100km claim.

Introduced to Australia at the end of 2017, https://www.motoring.com.au/bmw-releases-new-entry-level-x3-110319/ the sDrive20i is the first rear-drive version of the third-generation X3 and comes in one model only.

It is priced more than $3000 below the diesel AWD xDrive20d version but is fitted out similarly.

Buyers of today’s SUVs don’t generally plan to take to the bush in any serious fashion.

Like any of the current two-wheel-drive SUV offerings, the X3 is more likely to be used as a spacious, easy to live with high-riding five-seat family wagon.

There’s no questioning the cabin space available and the boot is clean and generally free of protuberances, making for easy loading, and the three-way split-fold backrest enables a degree of multi-tasking where the X3 can still accommodate one or two rear-seat passengers along with a fair-size load. Because the run-flat tyres eliminate the need for a spare, there’s a bit of extra below-floor space as well.

The 2000kg brakes towing ability is the same as the AWD diesel xDrive20d X3, equalising with the bulk of its competitors.

The fact that the X3 is an SUV that’s able to function as a large, capable wagon, yet still drives with similar facility to a prestige sedan is not lost on BMW customers. Though the same could be said of mid-size competitors such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5  and Volvo XC60, all of which occupy similarly-important places in their respective model portfolios.

The fact that the base-model BMW X3’s 1621kg tare weight comfortably undercuts its AWD competition by around 200kg – or, in some cases more – means there’s a special sense of lightness that is complimented by the airy-feeling, high-visibility cabin.

No question, the X3 sDrive20i feels in every way like a BMW. And, apart from a few missing pieces of technology such as adaptive cruise control, wireless phone charging and heated seats, it’s indisputably well-equipped.

Given the minor shortcoming of being a bit reluctant to step off the line, the engine and transmission work together near faultlessly while the handling/roadholding/ride balance is right up there with the best.

If you don’t need an SUV with AWD – and a good many of us don’t – then the rear-drive BMW X3 certainly isn’t about to disappoint your expectations.

How much does the 2019 BMW X3 sDrive 20i cost?
Price: $66,529 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 135kW/290Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined); 7.4L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 169g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2017)