Now in recent years, BMW has lost all the charm their sporty sedans had in their models. This is largely due to the fact that they have started focusing on SUVs. With the rise in popularity for SUVs in the market, its no surprise BMW has put their best foot forward in this sector.
So if you want that sporty sedan feel then the BMW X3 is what you want to get. The BMW X3 has become one of the best sellers for BMW with it dominating its contemporaries.
And the new 2020 BMW X3 is no exception. So we thought we would give you an in-depth BMW X3 review so that you can see why its a best seller. So let’s check the car out.
The BMW X3 Packages On Offer
The packaging changes did not change much for the BMW X3. The navigation has been updated to the new industry standard, a few switchgear have been changed to silver and the 30i model has LED headlights with cornering lights. That’s about it.
The BMW X3 comes in its standard 3 packages like the models before it. Now as for the BMW X3 price well, the base price for the sDrive 30i is set at around 42,945 dollars. While the xDrive30i comes in around at 44,945 dollars.
The high-end package for the X3 is the M40i which is going to cost you around 56,895 dollars. So now that you know what the packages are you may wanna know which one is best right? Well, while we love the 335-hp six-cylinder M40i we feel that all the cars provide a similar experience.
All of the packages emanate the regal character that BMW is known for. And while the M40i will reach 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds we just don’t think it provides the best bang for the buck. The 2020 BMW X3 sDrive 30i has a similar turbocharged four-cylinder with an automatic 8-shift but it has rear-wheel drive only.
So if you are living in a snowy area or countryside it doesn’t provide value. This is why we suggest the xDrive 30i to our customers. This is because this model has all the things that the 30i has but also has all-wheel drive. While being around 8000 dollars less than the M40i. So our choice for the best bang for buck offer on the BMW X3 is the xDrive 30i.
BMW X3 Specs & Performance
The VMW X3 is a good all-around crossover but it lacks in power with the first two packages. The sDrive 30i and the xDrive 30i comes equipped with a 248-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Now, this plenty of power for you to easily navigate through traffic but you will not be able to feel the thrill of the drive that much with these versions.
The xDrive 30i takes about 6.2 seconds to reach 0-60 which is less than what its contemporaries offer. Its main rivals The Porsche Macan S and the Audi Q5 are both quicker than the X3 xDrive 30i with the Macan being way ahead on speed. So if you are looking for a performance-oriented crossover than you should get the M40i version.
The BMW X3 M40i has a 355 horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder which gives it a substantial amount of power. It takes around 4.4 seconds to reach 0 to 60 which is only marginally worse than the top-end of the spectrum. Only the Macan Turbo and the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 are slightly ahead in acceleration.
And if you are looking for a plug-in crossover then a hybrid with a 31-mile range is going to be released soon as well so keep your eye out for that. Now while the X3 doesn’t have quite the speed and power of the Macan one thing it does have is comfort and driving ease.
Even with the basic package, you will feel that it provides a stable ride in the bumpiest of roads. You should make sure you get the adaptive suspension option when getting an X3. BMW calls it their Dynamic Damper Control. It gives your X3 3 driving modes Comfort, Sport, and Eco Pro on the xDrive 30i.
You can get something called the adaptive M suspension if you have an M40i. This lowers your chassis by 0.4 inches for better balance. Now comparing the BMW X3 mpg with its peers it comes into the midrange.
In driving tests the M40i comes in on 29 MPG while the xDrive 30i comes at around 31 MPG. While not bad but this does mean that it doesn’t provide that much highway fuel economy.
BMW X3 Interior, Design & Features
The BMW X3 has been decked out fully for comfort. This is why they don’t offer anything on top other than the 10-way power-adjustable front seats that include adjustable side bolsters. With the X3 you will get rear seats with reclining seatbacks.
The seats are plush enough to not make you want to get out during long journeys. The cabin itself has been built handsomely. It has tight panel gaps and the materials used are of premium quality. The trim of the BMW X3 has a glossy woodgrain texture but is made out of plastic. But don’t worry it looks just like the real thing.
The dashboard and door coverings are stitched with faux leather providing added flair and luxury to the car. It also has nickel-finish metal trims to accentuate the existing luxurious interior of the X3. The BMW X3 cargo space is about average in its class. You can carry around 7 carry-ons in the back of the rear seat. But if you fold the rear seats then the BMW X3 has about 20 feet of cargo space.
Now it’s not near the best cargo-hauling car in its class but it is good enough. The best in the class, however, is the Cadillac XT5. In terms of infotainment and connectivity features the BMW X3 is amazing. It offers all the amenities except Android Auto compatibility.
The car comes equipped with Apple CarPlay that has 1-year free trial. You do have to pay up after that if you want to keep using it. The standard version comes with a 6.5-inch infotainment display but we suggest you get the 10.5-inch display as it provides better value.
Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port come standard with the X3 but that’s about it. If you want any other features on the infotainment system then you have to opt into it. Even a second USB port is optional for this crossover from the German manufacturer.
In terms of safety, the BMW X3 is rated highly in the industry. The NHTSA gave the car a five-star safety rating and it also received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Amongst its standard safety features, you will find automated emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and additional adaptive cruise control. Now you can choose to get the full suite driver-assistance features but many of them are optional.
The BMW X3 is only average when it comes to warranty and maintenance coverage. The X3 comes with 4 years or 50,000 miles limited warranty. The powertrain warranty is 4 years or 50,000 miles and BMW also provides complimentary scheduled maintenance for 3 years or 36,000 miles.
While you may think that this is a great service but it is nothing out of the ordinary. The X3’s main competitors like the Volvo XC60 and the Cadillac XT5 also offers these.
Crossing Over
As you can see BMW has gone for mostly comfort while maintaining industry standards on all other departments of the 2020 BMW X3 crossover. While plenty of its competitors fall short on certain aspects of the car the BMW X3 is much more of a well-rounded car.
BMW made sure that they did not fall short of the BMW standards which the industry expects while ensuring that the people who drive the car rides in comfort. This is one of the biggest reasons for the success of this crossover model. While it excels in one aspect it does not lack in any other. So if you want something reliable then you can check the BMW X3 out.
And that concludes our 2020 BMW X3 review. Let us know in the comments below how you like the model and what your favorite crossover car is. Till then, Adios!
