New BMW X3 review: A fresh new direction

For years, the 3 Series has been the highest selling BMW in the world. And it still is – in some ways – especially if you include the 3 Series estate. However, BMW’s current global bestseller, according to its own metrics, is the X3 SUV; even in its runout year. Thing is, the X3 isn’t really a big seller in India. Easily outsold by the Mercedes GLC, one of Merc’s bestsellers here, BMW will be hoping that this fresh new X3 (G45 as it is known internally), will appeal to a wider section of Indian customers.

BMW X3 design, exterior

That the new fourth generation X3 looks fresh comes as little surprise – it sees the introduction of a new design language. Almost monolithic in appearance, the new X3 is full of large, clean surfaces and minimal cuts and creases. The focal point of the design is the high cowl and big bonnet – the latter only has a single crease that runs around the edge. Have to say that the manner in which the big grille is incorporated into the design looks good, and it is illuminated with LEDs.

Also new is the grille, which consists of both diagonal and horizontal slats. Alongside it are dagger-shaped headlights with double LED ‘ticks’ that remind you of the ‘Angry Birds’ game. This is supported by wide, well-fleshed-out wheel arches (to help lend a bit of muscle), and no cladding – something BMWs have traditionally had on its SUVs. Around the rear, the stance is even sportier. The base has been made to look wider, the rear windshield is smaller and tucked in and there are no exhaust pipes visible under the diffuser. Also nicely done and evolved are the arrow-like tail-lights.

While the X3 is built around the CLAR platform, as all rear-wheel-drive based BMWs are, the engineers have reduced its weight, increased body rigidity and worked on the suspension in a bid to improve the manner in which it tackles corners. They’ve also used braces at the front and rear– on the strut towers and rear suspension mounts – that further improve the location of the suspension points when the SUV is loaded up in corners. The X3 20 driven here (notice no ‘i’ suffix now) also gets four-wheel-drive – xDrive in BMW parlance – and an electronically locking rear differential. The X3 also has a 45mm wider track for a more planted stance, and frequency-selective dampers.

BMW X3 interior, features

As with many new BMW SUVs, the new X3 cabin takes a leaf out of the iX and gets a sloping dash, wide curved display, and a very modern, minimalist look. BMW’s designers have avoided making it look very generic, and the new X3 gets a large central stowage area as well as unique doorpads with electrically controlled air volume adjusters (to control the airflow of the side vents). Also quite different is the material the cabin comes with.The meshed fabric on the dash, for example, is quite porous, and while we’ll have to see how well it handles our dusty conditions, it does stand out. You can get vegan or artificial leather inside the entire cabin if you so wish, even on the steering wheel. The large screen is now built around an Android operating system, so features like Google Maps are seamlessly integrated and constantly updated. Apple CarPlay works seamlessly, and BMW's system even allows you to download a multitude of new apps; like any ’droid system would.

There’s also a square digital ‘assistant’ on the left of the screen and you can scroll through all sorts of information and features vertically. The assistant helps you with the features inside the cabin, and even plays mini tutorial videos that make using some of the features – like park assist – easy.

To give the interiors a bit of a lift, there are multiple LED bands that line the front of the cabin and the doors. You can not only change colours as you please but these bands also flash warnings if you open a door and there’s a car approaching. What’s cool is that they also adjust according to the temperature – light up blue when you reduce the temperature and go red when you warm up the cabin.

Below the dash, the new X3 gets a large central stowage area, sure to be very popular in the USA. You get an angled wireless charger, twin USB C ports, big cup holders and a band of cool-looking LEDs that surround it. Further back, the gear selector switch sits on a piano black pod that also houses a crystalline iDrive controller, a knurled metal volume adjuster and various shortcut buttons. However, BMW’s shift to ‘My Modes’ instead of comfort and sport buttons, shifts a lot of the selection process to the screen. And this is a pain when on the move. The side vents, with the haptic touch controls and illuminated scale, are fun to use. The only shortcomings are possibly quality levels on the door pads, and ordinary-looking plastics on some areas of the cabin. While the new X3’s cabin is forward-looking and built of quality materials, it doesn’t feel quite as plush or luxurious as the GLC.

Space and comfort are very impressive, though. The driver’s seat is large and very supportive, the seats are very nicely put together, and in addition, the cushioning also seems just right. Despite the wheelbase being almost identical, space and comfort at the rear are better too. A back-to-back comparison showed that the new car has more width, more legroom, and much better thigh support as well. The backrest can also be reclined a few degrees, but this now has to be done from over your shoulder rather than beside your seat. You also get a huge, fixed panoramic sunroof and touch controls for the rear HVAC controls.

Also impressive is the large 570-litre boot with space under the floor to keep a space-saver tyre. There’s also a handy parcel tray, hooks for bags and a 12V socket.

BMW X3 performance, ride quality 

With its 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor putting out a combined 208hp, you don’t expect the X3 to accelerate crisply from low- and medium-engine speeds. But this is just what it does – you have the 18hp and 200Nm from the e-motor to thank. And this smooth pull continues well into the midrange, with the engine providing a nice, linear pull. It’s not easy to manage the boost of the turbocharged engine, spike of torque from the electric motor and a set of gears together, but BMW’s familiarity with the 8-speed torque converter gearbox makes this feel more like a ballet and less like a break dance.

Stepping off the line is effortless and the gearbox is quick to downshift but flat-out acceleration isn’t strong – the engine gets loud at higher speeds and 0-100kph comes up in a claimed 7.8 seconds. Progress is seamless and smooth and the X3 doesn’t feel its weight (the scale reads 1,930kg).

The new X3 does feel much more agile and willing to turn into corners. The steering is lighter at low speeds and the new X3 is also much happier to dart into corners, especially in comparison to the model currently on sale in India. With the rear-biased four-wheel-drive system providing plenty of grip and some stellar body control, you can really enjoy a winding road. However, a bit more weight and connect from the steering would have been nice.

With not too many poor roads to contend with in Bavaria, it was difficult to judge the ride of the new X3. What few bad patches we encountered were swallowed silently and comfortably, with only a hint of initial stiffness.The ride at speed was also pretty flat and devoid of pitching, but we’ll only get a good idea once we run the X3 on our ‘specially curated’ roads.

BMW X3 verdict

The new fourth-generation X3 is a big improvement over the SUV currently sold here. The new styling works well, the cabin is more spacious and comfortable, and BMW has also upped its game when it comes to fun features and cabin look and feel. The new X3 also feels more agile and confidence inspiring from behind the wheel – it’s lighter and easier to drive, and the engine and e-motor deliver plenty of smoothness and pep at low and medium speeds.

Yes, more power and performance at this price would have been nice, the cabin isn’t quite as plush as Merc’s GLC and some plastics on the inside could have been better built. However, what’s clear is that the fourth-generation X3 is a fresh new take on midsize luxury, one that seems nicely aligned with what Indian luxury SUV buyers are looking for. Headed to a BMW showroom near you early next year? Don’t sign on the dotted line until you have seen and experienced this one. It has some real aces up its sleeve.

Also see:

New BMW X3 long wheelbase revealed

BMW iX1 facelift spied testing for the first time

BMW X7 Signature Edition launched at Rs 1.33 crore