The new BMW X3 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.
That’s right. In 2023 alone, BMW churned out 1,000 units of the X3 every. single. day. It is, by all accounts, the SUV that keeps BMW at the top of the premium automotive food chain.

And now, we have the latest iteration of BMW’s cash cow. It is new but not entirely new; BMW has retained much of what worked in the previous generation while refining key aspects to keep the X3 competitive in an increasingly crowded segment.
Yet, unlike before, there is no fully electric iX3 this time around. That role will be filled by a separate Neue Klasse EV crossover set to arrive in late 2025.

For now, the lineup starts with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, while at the other end of the spectrum sits the more potent straight-six M50. Interestingly, rumours suggest there will be no full-blooded X3 M Competition in this generation, an omission that might leave some enthusiasts disappointed.
BMW has also done away with the traditional “i” suffix in its petrol models. So, what used to be the 20i and 50i are now just the 20 and 50.
Does it make sense? Not really. But then again, BMW’s naming conventions have been getting increasingly cryptic for years.
How New Is It, Really?

Technically, this is a full model change. The exterior is entirely redesigned, and the interior has been revamped with modern tech and fresh materials. But dig deeper, and you will realise that the chassis remains largely unchanged.
The wheelbase and overall dimensions have been carried over, albeit with some fine-tuning. The track is wider, underbody bracing has been strengthened, and steering precision has been improved.
A New Look, For Better Or Worse

There is no denying that the new X3’s design is divisive. Some see it as a toned-down version of the iX, while others find the flat, creased surfaces overly fussy and devoid of character. There is certainly a lot of metal on display, with a muscular stance that gives the X3 more road presence.
At the front, BMW’s signature kidney grilles now come with optional rim lighting, a party trick that looks either sophisticated or slightly excessive, depending on your taste. At least they are not cartoonishly oversized, unlike some of BMW’s recent designs.
The rear-end is arguably its best angle, featuring a flush-fitting tailgate and an estate-like silhouette that lends an air of sophistication. It is certainly solid-looking – monolithic, as BMW puts it. More importantly, the drag coefficient has been reduced to 0.27 Cd, which helps fuel efficiency and cuts wind noise at higher speeds.
How About The Inside?

At its core, the X3’s interior remains functional and spacious. The driving position is excellent, visibility is strong, and there is plenty of room for passengers.
However, material quality is not as premium as one might expect. There is an unfortunate abundance of hard plastics in areas where your hands naturally rest, such as the door handles, storage bins, and centre console trim. The ambient lighting strips, which look stylish in photos, come across as cheap, glow-stick gimmicks in real life.


But it is not all bad news. BMW has countered some of these missteps with a fresh new textured cloth trim on the dashboard, which feels more premium than it looks. The digital interfaces are crisp and responsive, and the tech itself is fast, intuitive, and feature-rich.
Best of all, BMW has retained the iDrive rotary controller, an endangered species in today’s touchscreen-obsessed world. With Neue Klasse models set to ditch physical controls entirely, this may well be the last generation of BMWs to feature the beloved dial. Enjoy it while you can.
There are still actual shortcut buttons and a logical climate control system, while driver assistance features are relatively straightforward to configure.


In terms of seating, comfort levels are high. The front seats are supportive, and rear passengers will find plenty of legroom, thanks to deep footwells. The middle seat, however, is compromised by the chunky transmission tunnel, a common issue in longitudinally mounted AWD vehicles.

Storage capacity remains one of the X3’s strong suits. A 570-litre boot expands to 1,700 litres with the seats folded.
While the Mercedes-Benz GLC has a slightly larger boot, the X3 still outperforms the Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 in this regard.
It’s Not Punchy, But Extremely Smooth

The 2.0-litre petrol engine is a mixed bag. With 190bhp and a small dose of electric assistance, it is sufficient for daily use but lacks outright punch. Weighing in at 1.95 tonnes, the X3 asks a lot from its four-cylinder heart.
That said, the mild-hybrid system provides instant torque at low revs, effectively eliminating turbo lag. Acceleration is linear and predictable, meaning your throttle inputs deliver exactly what you expect. However, the engine’s tone is uninspiring, producing a flat drone that becomes intrusive under hard acceleration.

Ride quality is well-judged. The steering is accurate, and body movements are well-controlled, making it an easy SUV to place on the road. The hybrid system also regenerates energy seamlessly, simulating the effect of downshifting when approaching a junction.
With a careful foot, you can easily average double-digit efficiency figures in this, which is impressive considering its stature.
The biggest compliment I can give is to the car’s gearbox. Not sure what BMW has done to tweak the Steptronic system, but gear changes are butter smooth, even under hard acceleration.
Risk = Reward?

For two generations, the BMW X3 has been a safe and competent choice. This time, it takes a few risks. While the interior quality could be better, the engineering remains solid, and dynamically, it is as capable as ever.
It may not be groundbreaking, but it is still a compelling option in the premium SUV segment. And if sales figures are anything to go by, expect to see more of these on the roads soon.
Technical Specifications
BMW X3 xDrive20 M Sport
Engine: 1,998cc in-line 4 TwinPower, Turbocharged
Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 310Nm
Gearbox: 8-Speed (A) Steptronic
0-100km/h: 8.5 seconds (claimed)
Fuel Economy: 12.7/litre (claimed)
Price: S$357,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Performance Motors / Eurokars Auto
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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