BMW X3 – What you need to know 

For over 20 years BMW’S X3 has been one of the Bavarian car maker’s most popular models, appealing to buyers with its blend of versatility, on-road ability, engineering and design.  

Now, in early 2025, there’s a new X3. The fourth generation is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor and there are now three petrol-hybrid-engined variants available: the entry-level 20 xDrive mild hybrid, the mid-range 30e xDrive plug-in hybrid, and the, M50 xDrive mild hybrid. Each comes standard with all-wheel drive.
With an all-new look inside and out, improved chassis dynamics and more standard kit, this five-seater luxury mid-size SUV is certainly alluring. 

So let’s dive in and take a closer look at what’s what with the new BMW X3 range... 

Your entry to the BMW X3 begins with the X3 20 xDrive. Priced at $86,100 plus on road costs, it comes with the following standard features: 

• Three-zone auto climate control
• Power-adjustable and heated front seats
• Combined 14.9-inch and 12.3-inch infotainment and instrument screens
• Veganza upholstery
• Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• Surround-view cameras
• Automatic tailgate

It wouldn’t be a BMW without it coming with a swag of options. 

Ticking the boxes for metallic paint, an alarm system, sunroof (20 xDrive only) and a Harmon Kardon sound system in the base model will cost $6000 (or $4800 if you go for the standard Alpine White). This same option pack in the mid-spec 30e xDrive adds $4000 to the price, but they’re all standard features on the M50 xDrive. 

An M Sport-Pro pack is offered on all three variants. It includes a high-gloss shadow line around the grille frame and struts, plus trim details in the taillights and special tailpipe trims. There’s also an M lights shadow line, M Sport brakes with red high-gloss or blue callipers and M-coloured seat belts. This bundle will add $3000 to a 20 xDrive, $2000 to a 30e xDrive and they come standard on the M50 xDrive.

If you want ‘one with the lot’, you can order the comfort pack that comprises second row seat heating, sun blinds for the rear door windows, front seat ventilation, a heated steering wheel, privacy glass from the B-pillar back and a net in the luggage area. That little lot will lighten your account by $4000 on the 20 xDrive. 

If you don’t want your BMW X3 in Alpine White, one of the other six metallic hues costs $2500, except on the M50 xDrive where there is no additional charge. Tanzanite Blue is $4000 on the 20 xDrive and 30e xDrive and $2000 on the M50xDrive.

Finally, there’s Frozen Pure Grey metallic and Frozen Deep Grey metallic. They aren’t available on the 30e xDrive but they add $4000 when ordered with the enhancement pack on the M50 xDrive.

Veganza (a vegan leather alternative) in black, beige or espresso brown is a no-cost option in all variants, while black/grey Merino leather is $4000 in all variants. You can also have M fine-brushed aluminium or Individual magnolia fine wood as a no-cost option across the range. However, adding a knitted textile finish to the top of the dash and the tops of the doors adds $1200 to every model. 

And if you want a genuine towbar thrown in, that’s another $2200 for all variants.

State-of-the-art safety technology and driver-assist features that flow through all BMW X3 models include active protection which, in critical situations, tightens the seatbelts and closes all windows and the sunroof. Post impact it continues to apply the brakes automatically until the vehicle stops. 

There’s also driver attention monitoring, front, side and head airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, tyre pressure monitoring, and run-flat tyres (except on the 30e xDrive). 

Across the range driver assistance features include a head-up display, hill start and hill descent controls, a brake pad wear indicator, adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, front and rear cross-traffic warning, steering and lane assist, lane keeping assist with side collision warning, crossroads warning, and exit warning, the latter letting you know if there’s an approaching cyclist, pedestrian or vehicle. There’s also an evasion aid, which helps you to steer around an obstacle that is likely to cause a collision. 

Other safety features include a speed limiter, self-parking, surround 3D and panoramic camera views and a drive recorder.

Jump into any of the three BMW X3 variants and resting on the soft-touch dash is a curved 12.3-inch instrument display and a high-resolution 14.9-inch infotainment touch-screen. Naturally there’s Bluetooth connectivity for music and phone streaming, with steering-wheel-mounted controls. 

Every variant also has DAB+ digital radio played through six speakers as a minimum along with sat-nav with augmented guidance, BMW ID and multifunction brackets on the first-row seatbacks for smartphones and tablets. There are two USB-C ports in the front console and another pair in the rear of centre console along with a 12V power socket. Another 12V socket lives in the luggage area. 

Wireless smartphone charging along with wireless smartphone connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard across the range. 

Stepping up, the M50 xDrive adds an alarm system with an anti-theft recorder and there’s a premium Harman Kardon surround sound system with 15 speakers and a 750W digital amplifier. 

All models come with a 90-day free trial of BMW Connected Drive comprising vehicle function apps, emergency call function, intelligent personal assistant, BMW TeleServices, Software Updating and a personal eSIM, plus 5G connectivity.

Every BMW X3 has a powered driver sport seat with memory function and side bolster adjustment, while both front sport seats score lumbar adjustment and heating. 

Giving the interior a further luxury touch is ambient lighting with 15 selectable colours, the interactive light bars throughout the cabin, and the anthracite M headlining. 

Auto three-zone climate control with auto recirculation and fogging sensors comes fitted in every model, along with acoustic glazing on the front row windows.

Is a sunroof a dealmaker?
Then make a beeline for the 30e xDrive as a minimum for this feature, along with heated outer rear seats, vented front seats, a heated steering wheel, roller sun blinds on the rear door windows and a net separating the cargo area. 

Would you like a leather steering wheel?
Again, this is another range-wide feature with each model sporting a multi-function ‘M’ tiller.

Want cupholders for everyone? 
You get them in any model you choose, as well as a through loading system and 40:20:40-split folding seats in the second row. 

Will anti-dazzle, heating, folding and left-side auto-dipping door mirrors and an auto anti-dazzle interior mirror get you closer to signing up?
Pick any model you want as this handy feature is on all models.  

Is adaptive suspension a must-have? 
To get the best from the ride and handling of all X3 models, adaptive suspension is standard and is linked to the xDrive all-wheel drive system. 

Do you want the convenience of a powered tailgate?   
Sign up for any model and it’s yours, as standard.

Is privacy glass on the wish list?
Bypass the base model and go with the 30e xDrive as the starting point for this feature, along with 20-inch alloy wheels. 

Outside, every BMW X3 has adaptive LED headlights with auto high beam and LED taillights, but setting them apart are their wheels. While the base 20 xDrive has 19-inch alloys, the 30e xDrive gets 20-inch alloys and the top-spec M50 xDrive rolls on 21-inch alloys. 

The 30e xDrive comes with blue brake callipers, while the M50 adds headlights in shadow line, a kidney-design high-gloss grille featuring M specific double-rod structure, M badging, M exterior mirror caps, and privacy glass. The M50 also scores red brake callipers, an M Sport exhaust system, and an M Sport differential.

As the new BMW X3 has grown considerably in size, it is handy to know if it’ll fit comfortably in your garage.

Each BMW X3 model measures 4755mm long, 1920mm wide, and 1660mm high, and sits on a 2865mm wheelbase. 

Kerb weight varies from 1930kg to 2140kg depending on the model and with both rows of seats upright the cargo capacity is 570 litres (the exception being the 30e xDrive, which drops to 460 litres due to its batteries). Drop the seats and the cargo capacity increases to 1700 litres in the 20 xDrive and M50 xDrive and 1600 litres in the 30e xDrive. 

Maximum towing capacity across all variants is 2200kg, with a towball downforce maximum of 200kg.

The BMW X3 offers three power options. In the 20 xDrive is a twin-turbo, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with 48V mild hybrid system that produces 140kW and 310Nm. It’s paired with an eight-speed Steptronic sports transmission. 

Stepping up to the 30e xDrive you’ll find the same twin-turbo, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine but with BMWs fifth-generation eDrive plug-in hybrid system. It’s good for a combined 220kW and 450Nm and is also mated to an eight-speed Steptronic sports transmission. 

Then we have the flagship of the BMW X3 range, the M50 xDrive. It’s powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol engine with 48V mild hybrid system delivering 293kW and 580Nm, sent through the same eight-speed Steptronic sports transmission. 

All models benefit from brake energy regeneration that charges the hybrid battery.

Bigger outside and in, the more spacious new BMW X3 is not only very luxurious at all levels, it also offers a sporty and rewarding drive. These key attributes of previous-generation X3s have only been accentuated in this latest version. 

Whether you’re buying with your heart or being more pragmatic, it’s extremely hard not to be impressed by the entry-model X3 20 xDrive. 

Not only does it have decent performance levels, excellent ride and handling, and a plush cabin, but it also boasts the same safety and driver tech of the other variants. There’s a mountain of infotainment and entertainment tech and a long list of standard features that were previously options in earlier generations. 

Sure, it misses out on a few trinkets like the ventilated front seats and the sunroof that feature in the 30e xDrive and M50 xDrive. But you can get most of these features in the option packs and still come out in front. 

It represents excellent value, so it’s the X3 20 xDrive for me.   

2025 BMW X3 pricing*
BMW X3 20 xDrive – $86,100  
BMW X3 30e xDrive – $104,100
BMW X3 M50 xDrive – $128,900
* Prices exclude on-road costs

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