BMW X3 SUV, starting at 51,700 £

4.6 (1 Reviews)
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The BMW X3 blends sporty handling with premium comfort, making it a strong choice for drivers who want an engaging everyday SUV. Its well-appointed interior and confident road manners give it broad appeal for families and commuters who value style and versatility.

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from £51,700
X3

BMW X3

  • Engine Type Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 197 - 398 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 2.8 - 7.7 L/100km
  • Electric Range 88 km

Sporty Stance, Subtle Swagger

The BMW X3 leans into a taut, athletic look, with crisp surfacing and a confident ride height that avoids shouty design cues. Broad shoulders and a wide track give it presence, and at 1,920 mm wide (over roughly 2.14 m including mirrors) it fills a lane with authority. M Sport styling sharpens the visual edge without turning it flashy, while standard LED lighting adds a clean, modern signature. The payoff is a premium SUV that looks purposeful rather than bulky. Near-field visibility over the high bonnet and out the narrow rear window is only fair, so the camera systems earn their keep. In tight car parks, that physical width can be the limiting factor.

Contemporary Cabin, Mixed Tactility

Inside, a curved display and pared-back dash deliver a modern, driver-focused cockpit with clear graphics and quick responses. Most climate functions live in the screen, and while there is an iDrive controller, the reduced button count means more touch interaction than some will prefer. Materials show good assembly quality, yet harder plastics on door cards and grab handles dilute the luxury impression in places. Standard sports seats offer a wide adjustment range and strong long-trip support, making it easy to find a natural driving position. Storage is well thought out, and the flat center console keeps essentials close. The overall ambiance feels contemporary and businesslike, if not the plushest in the class.

Family-Friendly Packaging

The rear bench provides generous legroom and a supportive seat base, so even tall passengers sit comfortably on longer journeys. Big rear doors ease child-seat installation, and ISOFIX points are easy to access. A 40:20:40 backrest and a flat load floor make bulky items straightforward to carry, especially skis or strollers beside two passengers. Official luggage capacity ranges roughly from 460 to 570 liters depending on version, though independent measurements show noticeably less in practice, especially for the PHEV where around 365 liters feel realistic. The load lip is on the high side and the parcel shelf can get in the way during fast loading. Day to day, the space is highly usable, just not class-leading for outright volume.

Calm at Speed, Alert in Corners

On the motorway, the X3 is impressively quiet and stable, settling into a relaxed rhythm with low cabin noise at cruising speeds. Steering is precise and confidence-inspiring, giving the car a planted feel on sweeping roads and quick feedback on tighter ones. With adaptive dampers, ride and control find a sweet spot: firm enough to resist float yet supple enough to round off sharp edges. Without them, the chassis reads as decidedly taut, which keen drivers like but comfort purists may not. Body movements are well checked, and traction from the all-wheel-drive system remains secure in poor weather. The result is an SUV that feels alert without becoming tiring.

Engines with a Clear Purpose

The range covers a broad span: a 20 xDrive petrol mild hybrid with 208 hp, a 20d diesel mild hybrid with 197 hp, a muscular 40d six-cylinder diesel at 303 hp, the 30e plug-in hybrid with 299 hp and 88 km official electric range, and the flagship M50 with 398 hp. All pair an eight-speed automatic with xDrive, delivering 0–100 km/h from a brisk 4.6 seconds (M50) to about 7.8 seconds (base petrol). In everyday use, the 20d is the easygoing, efficient all-rounder, while the petrol 20 xDrive feels adequate rather than emphatic. The 40d’s torque makes light work of overtakes and towing, and the M50 brings genuine performance without abandoning refinement. Kerb weights of roughly 1.93–2.14 tonnes never make it feel heavy-footed thanks to the drivetrain calibration. Depending on model, towing up to around 2.0 tonnes with a 100 kg nose weight adds real utility for outdoor gear and trailers.

Efficiency That Works in Real Life

Driven sensibly, the 20d returns real-world figures around 6.1–6.7 l/100 km, which keeps long-distance fuel stops infrequent. The petrol 20 xDrive’s official 6.9 l/100 km is plausible with gentle highway use, though town driving lifts consumption. For the 30e, the 88 km WLTP electric range translates to roughly 60–90 km in mixed conditions, so many commutes can be done engine-off if you charge at home or work. The headline 2.8 l/100 km rating only holds when you recharge regularly; exhaust-only driving will mirror a comparable petrol SUV. The PHEV’s AC charging suits overnight routines, but there is no DC fast-charging, making planning important on longer trips. Even the M50’s 7.7 l/100 km WLTP is respectable for the pace on tap, provided you resist exploring all of its power frequently.

Screens, Smarts and Support

A broad suite of driver assists is standard, including helpful motorway aids and effective parking functions that offset the X3’s size in town. High-resolution cameras and available 360-degree views take the stress out of tight maneuvers and help compensate for limited close-in visibility. The infotainment runs swiftly with clean mapping and logical widgets, and over-the-air updates keep features current. Climate controls in the touchscreen demand a few more taps than knobs would, especially on bumpy roads. Voice control mitigates the distraction, yet habitual adjusters may still miss physical sliders. Overall, the tech mix is powerful and capable once learned, even if the learning curve is steeper than in some rivals.

Who Will Love It, Who Won’t

This SUV suits drivers who value precise handling, low noise at speed, and a stable long-haul demeanor. Families benefit from the generous rear space and the flexible 40:20:40 backrest, even if the boot is smaller in real terms than the brochure suggests. The diesel 20d is the go-to for high-mileage users, while the 30e rewards short to medium commutes with regular charging, and the M50 caters to enthusiasts without sacrificing daily manners. Those seeking lounge-like softness and lavish cabin materials may prefer a more cushioned alternative. City dwellers will appreciate the cameras, but the width and roughly 12 m turning circle make old-town streets and tight garages a patience test. If crisp dynamics and all-round ability top the list, the X3 delivers a confident, well-rounded package.

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Reviews

4.6 (1 Reviews)
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Costs and Consumption
Price
51,700 - 73,000 £
Consumption L/100km
2.8 - 7.7 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
88 km
Battery Capacity
-
co2
64 - 175 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,930 - 2,140 kg
Trunk capacity
460 - 570 L
Length
-
Width
1,920 mm
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
570 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
197 - 398 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 7.8 s
Max Speed
-
Torque
330 - 670 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Power kW
145 - 293 kW
Engine capacity
1,995 - 2,998 cm3

General
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
F, E, B
Brand
BMW

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Is the BMW X3 offered with different drivetrains?

The BMW X3 is offered with All-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.