The new BMW X3 M50 has taken the road less travelled, in a bid to stand out more from the competition.
If you were to guess BMW’s most important model, you might instinctively say the 3 Series, the benchmark sports saloon that has shaped the brand’s DNA for decades. Or perhaps the 5 Series, given its versatility, spanning everything from executive sedans to high-performance M-badged monsters.
But no, the real sales king is the X3.
It’s not glamorous, it doesn’t boast gullwing doors, and it’s unlikely to be anyone’s childhood poster car. But in 2023 alone, over 1,000 units a day were rolling off the production line.
So when it came time to revamp BMW’s unsung hero, they didn’t just give it a polish and call it a day. No, they sharpened the claws, tweaked the heart, and dressed it in a new suit.
And this is the new X3 M50, the most powerful version of BMW’s best-seller, and quite possibly the most important Bavarian on the road today.
Form over familiarity?
Let’s address the elephant in the showroom first, the design. If BMW’s recent design language has been a bit of an acquired taste, the X3 M50 continues that lineage. Some say it looks like a tamer cousin of the iX, others liken it to a block of Toblerone left out in the sun.
From the front, you’ll spot BMW’s now-signature illuminated grille kidneys. No longer shaped like actual kidneys, but at least they haven’t gone full Megatron like on some of their other models.
The rear end, interestingly, is where the M50 strikes its most elegant pose. Flush tailgate, clean lines, almost estate-like. If SUVs wore suits, this one’s definitely tailored at Hugo Boss.
It also slices through the air more cleanly than before, thanks to a slippery 0.27Cd drag coefficient. Not only good for the planet (in theory), but also means less wind noise when you’re hurtling down the motorway at… ahem respectable speeds.
Lots of tech, but quality could be better
Step inside and things get off to a mixed start. Space? Plenty. Driving position? Spot on. Materials? Hmm.
For a car that commands this kind of money, the abundance of hard plastics is a bit of a letdown. Door handles that feel like recycled plastics, centre console bins that give off lunchbox vibes, and ambient lighting strips that remind you more of Zouk than a luxury car. Odd choices, especially from a brand known for buttoned-up precision.
But it’s not all disappointment. The textured cloth trim across the dash is a delightful touch. The screens are razor-sharp, responsive, and finally don’t make you want to throw your phone at them.
BMW’s hallowed iDrive dial survives another generation too. Use it. Cherish it. For the Neue Klasse will one day come for it.
Even the driver aids are logically arranged, which is important in today’s world of screen-mandatory everything. You won’t need a degree in German engineering to figure out the lane-keeping system or the adaptive cruise.
Rear passengers are treated to generous legroom and their own climate zone. Storage is adequate, with suitable cubbies dotted around the cabin.
Practicality-wise, the BMW X3 M50 plays a strong hand. With all seats in place, you get 570 litres, enough for a week’s shopping or a very enthusiastic dog. Fold the rear seats flat, and you unlock a cavernous 1,700 litres.
It slightly trails the GLC in cargo volume, but edges out the Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60. Win some, lose some.
The M prefix isn’t just for show
Now we get to the really good stuff. Under the bonnet, a silky straight-six sings its mechanical symphony, pushing out 393bhp and 580Nm of torque. That’s enough to propel this 2-tonne SUV from 0 to 100km/h in a brisk 4.6 seconds.
Yes, there’s some artificial ‘IconicSounds’ pumped through the speakers; BMW’s attempt to make your straight-six sound like it’s possessed by Beethoven on a synth. Turn it off, and just enjoy the real engine note. It’s good. It’s very good.
The eight-speed auto deserves its own praise, being as slick as ever, and for those who like to take charge, the rubberised paddles behind the wheel are satisfyingly chunky. The M50 also gets localised chassis tweaks – a reinforced structure, tweaked suspension, and an electronic diff that sends torque between the rear wheels for better agility.
Is it a sports car? Not quite. But it’s genuinely enjoyable to hustle through corners. There’s some body roll, and the steering still feels a tad numb, but it remains composed and quick enough to earn its M badge, even if it’s the half-fat variety.
Ride comfort is firm, but the adaptive dampers let you dial things back when needed. Just avoid ‘Sport’ on Singapore’s patchy roads, unless you fancy a chiropractic appointment.
Officially, the BMW X3 M50 claims around 11.8km/litre. In real life? That’s like believing our roads will always be free of traffic.
With a heavy foot and a spirited engine under the hood, expect figures closer to low single digits. But then again, if you’re shopping in this segment, you probably aren’t clutching your calculator with trembling fingers.
Still the One to beat?
The BMW X3 M50 may not reinvent the wheel, but it certainly polishes the alloy. Yes, some of it still needs work, but what you get instead is a refined, fast, and remarkably capable family SUV that’s still blessed with that oh-so-lovely straight-six engine. It may not scream for attention, but the M50 delivers where it counts: pace, precision, and practicality.
The king of the sales charts just gave itself a sharper sword, if you can stomach its asking price.
Technical Specifications
BMW X3 M50
Engine: 3-litre in-line 6 TwinPower, Turbocharged
Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Power: 393 bhp
Torque: 580 Nm
Gearbox: 8-Speed (A) Steptronic
0-100km/h: 4.6 seconds (claimed)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 65 litres
Fuel Economy: 11.8 km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$451,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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