Entry-level luxurious vehicles was once stripped out, fundamental affairs designed to lure patrons into showrooms for an upsell. That’s altering, although.

The entry level to the BMW X3 vary in 2023 options many of the tools provided on dearer fashions.

It doesn’t have a listing of choices longer than Conflict and Peace, and it doesn’t characteristic a gutless engine incapable of hauling it round with folks on board.

So, what’s the catch? Nicely, it’s not what you’d name low cost anymore.

BMW has by no means been within the enterprise of promoting its vehicles low cost, however the brand new X3 vary now begins properly above $80,000 earlier than on-road prices – and that’s for the rear-wheel drive mannequin on take a look at right here, not a extra succesful all-wheel drive setup.

Regardless of how alluring the BMW badge is, that’s some huge cash for an entry degree SUV. How does it stack up?

How a lot does the BMW X3 sDrive20i price?

That is the most cost effective mannequin within the BMW X3 vary, with a beginning worth north of $80,000 earlier than on-road prices. Should you wanted proof inflation is biting, there it’s.

Our tester was additionally fitted with the Visibility Bundle ($5400, not important) and the Consolation Bundle ($1200, important), bumping its as-tested worth to $87,300 earlier than on-road prices.

As soon as upon a time, optioning a base BMW would convey it into line with the extra highly effective mannequin above it within the vary. That’s not the case anymore; even with all the additional package fitted the X3 sDrive20i is sort of $10,000 cheaper than the all-wheel drive xDrive30i.

Worth-wise, it aligns with the extra highly effective, all-wheel drive Audi Q5 45 TFSI quattro Dynamic Black ($85,669) or the Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD Sport ($83,070).

Mercedes-Benz doesn’t supply an entry-level GLC anymore, with a beginning worth above $100,000 earlier than on-roads for the GLC 300 4Matic.

2023 BMW X3 pricing:

• BMW X3 sDrive20i: $81,700
• BMW X3 xDrive20d: $84,700
• BMW X3 xDrive30i M Sport: $96,500
• BMW X3 xDrive30d M Sport: $102,900
• BMW X3 xDrive30e M Sport: $110,400
• BMW X3 M40i: $125,400
• BMW X3 M Competitors: $175,300

All costs exclude on-road prices

What’s the BMW X3 sDrive20i like on the within?

The present BMW X3 has one of many largest, most sensible cabins within the mid-sized SUV class.

With huge home windows, a excessive roofline, and loads of area between the entrance seats, it might be confused for a much bigger automobile at first look. That’s no accident, given the X3 is dimensionally similar to the first-generation X5.

The driving place presents a panoramic view of the highway forward, however the seats drop low sufficient and supply sufficient bolstering to nonetheless maintain you in place.

Tall or quick drivers received’t have any hassle getting snug, and the M Sport steering wheel is a high quality merchandise. The non-obligatory heated seats and steering wheel, in addition to the panoramic sunroof fitted to our tester actually elevate the cabin.

This doesn’t look or really feel like an entry-level automobile behind the wheel, though it wouldn’t actually be capable to get away with an affordable and nasty cabin anyway given it’s now an $80,000 automobile earlier than on-road prices. Additionally value contemplating is the very fact the sunroof is tied up in a $5400 bundle, and is finest prevented when you’re attempting to squeeze most bang-for-buck out of your base BMW.

The heated seats however are a must have… when you’re foolish and stay someplace chilly like me.

All-round visibility is superb because of these outsized home windows, and the cameras, sensors, and 3D surround-view constructed into the newest iDrive system make the X3 a cinch to position in tight garages or parking spots.

The know-how within the up to date X3 is superb. BMW OS7.0 has been usurped within the newest BMW fashions, however the system is up there with one of the best within the enterprise – though at this worth, it actually must be proper on the bleeding edge.

It responds to the touch, voice, and inputs from the traditional BMW controller on the transmission, and the massive on-screen tiles are simple to discern on the transfer. BMW was the primary to supply wi-fi Apple CarPlay, and its system stays one of the dependable.

BMW has some work to do on its digital dashboard, although, which may’t match the newest Audi Digital Cockpit for customisability or readability. Our tester additionally had some misaligned trim items across the local weather controls, which isn’t ok in a luxurious SUV.

There’s loads of storage up entrance, from the wi-fi cellphone charger beneath the dashboard to the deep area beneath the central armrest.

The rear seats within the X3 are glorious. Headroom is standout, even with the panoramic sunroof fitted to our tester, and there’s sufficient legroom for tall teenagers to get snug.

You’ll get three folks throughout in consolation because of the broad bench, and the door opening is broad sufficient to make loading little one seats simple. Should you do want to fit a baby seat behind a taller driver, nevertheless, it could be value trying on the X5 as there’s restricted area behind my 6’7 body.

There are air vents again there, standalone local weather controls, twin USB-C ports, and a fold-down central armrest with cupholders.

You get ISOFIX factors on the outboard rear seats, together with three top-tether factors. The rear bench folds 40/20/40, and will get fairly near fully flat.

The boot opening itself is large, and options netted pockets tucked into its sides. Claimed area is 550 litres with the rear seats in place, increasing to 1600 litres with them folded.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

Energy within the BMW X3 sDrive20i comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine making 135kW of energy and 300Nm of torque, despatched to the rear wheels solely.

In contrast to dearer fashions, the least highly effective X3 isn’t obtainable with all-wheel drive. It’s hooked as much as an eight-speed computerized transmission.

The 100km/h dash takes a claimed 8.2 seconds, and claimed gasoline financial system is 7.3 litres per 100km on the mixed cycle. We noticed 8.7 litres per 100km on every week skewed in direction of metropolis driving.

The X3 has a 65L gasoline tank, and drinks 95 RON premium unleaded.

How does the BMW X3 sDrive20i drive?

If all you do is drive within the metropolis, the X3 sDrive20i will do just about all the things you want with out fuss.

It’s not as highly effective because the 30i, however the turbocharged engine has sufficient rise up and go to deal with day-to-day duties. It will get off the mark shortly, and once you put your foot down it presents a good shove within the again.

The eight-speed computerized transmission shuffles via the gears so easily you don’t actually know – or must know – which gear it’s truly in at a given time.

Some drivers aren’t eager on auto begin/cease, however the BMW system is among the finest. There’s no awkward jerking or leaping, it simply shuts down easily and fires up quietly.

It even sounds good – BMW has tuned it to let rip with a fruity rev once you press the beginning button, and it has a sporty growl once you’re in a rush.

Despite the fact that the sDrive20i rides on smaller wheels than dearer fashions, it feels agency within the metropolis. You’ll discover potholes and sharp-edged velocity bumps, and roads with plenty of little pimples on them could make it really feel a bit busy.

You received’t be needing a visit to the physio, nevertheless it feels a bit tauter and sportier than the equal Audi or Volvo within the metropolis. It’s properly settled on the freeway, and there’s little or no highway noise from the tyres or wind across the mirrors on common Australian roads.

You don’t actually discover the very fact the X3 sDrive20i is rear-wheel drive in each day driving. Even in moist situations it has loads of traction, and there’s not likely sufficient grunt to interrupt the rear free when you put your foot down anyway.

So, the place does the much less highly effective engine within the base X3 trigger issues? It’s noticeable at increased speeds.

Loaded up with 4 adults and their baggage, the sDrive20i doesn’t speed up as confidently between 80km/h and 100km/h on the freeway as its larger brothers, which implies you’ll want an extended run-up for overtakes on single-lane nation roads.

The shortage of all-wheel drive additionally means this automobile received’t be as succesful on gravel hearth trails, or when you’re headed to the snow. In Australia, there are occasions once you’ll want to suit chains to two-wheel drive vehicles however not AWD or 4WD ones to go to the snowfields – and in these conditions, all-wheel drive is value its weight in gold.

One of many huge trade-offs you make when choosing the sDrive20i is dropping adaptive cruise management.

The system within the base mannequin received’t keep a spot to the automobile in entrance, which implies you possibly can’t loosen up fairly as a lot on freeway drives as would in any other case be the case.

You get lane-keeping help, however no energetic lane-centring which implies the automobile received’t actively steer to maintain you centred on freeway runs. Should you do spend a variety of time on the open highway, they’re options value having.

What do you get?

X3 sDrive20i + xDrive20d highlights:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Run-flat tyres
• Aluminium roof rails
• Adaptive LED headlights
• LED tail lights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Energy-folding aspect mirrors
• Heated
• Anti-dazzle (driver’s aspect solely)
• Auto-dipping (passenger’s aspect solely)
• Energy tailgate
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• 6-speaker sound system
• Wi-fi cellphone charger
• 3yr ConnectedDrive Providers subscription
• Tri-zone local weather management
• Ambient lighting
• Electrical parking brake
• Keyless entry and push-button begin
• Sport leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Black ‘Sensatec’ leatherette upholstery
• Energy-adjustable entrance sport seats with driver reminiscence

Choices fitted to our tester embody the Visibility Bundle ($5400)

• Metallic paint
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• BMW Laserlight headlights

And the Consolation Bundle ($1200)

• Heated entrance seats
• Driver lumbar assist
• Heated steering wheel

Is the BMW X3 sDrive20i secure?

The pre-facelift BMW X3 managed a five-star ANCAP security ranking primarily based on checks carried out by Euro NCAP in 2017.

It obtained scores of 93 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 84 per cent for little one occupant safety, 70 per cent for weak highway person safety, and 58 per cent for security help.

This five-star ANCAP ranking applies to all variants besides the xDrive30e plug-in hybrid – which stays unrated.

Customary security options embody:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Lane departure warning
• Lane change warning
• Cruise management
• Rear-view digital camera
• Reverse parking sensors
• Reversing assistant

How a lot does the BMW X3 sDrive20i price to run?

The BMW X3 is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee just like the broader BMW vary.

BMW Australia presents Service Inclusive pre-paid packages that cowl the primary 5 years or 80,000km – whichever comes first.

The usual Service Inclusive Primary bundle prices $2400 for the core X3 vary.

CarExpert’s Tackle the BMW X3 sDrive20i

If you would like a sensible, snug luxurious SUV, the X3 has loads to supply.

Even when you don’t tick any choices bins the sDrive20i doesn’t precisely really feel like a pared-back base mannequin, and with the Consolation Bundle it doesn’t actually need for something.

Rear-wheel drive goes to provide most patrons what they want within the metropolis, and the much less highly effective 2.0-litre engine has sufficient punch to do most jobs with out an excessive amount of fuss. Should you’re headed for the hills usually, we’d advocate all-wheel drive and extra energy within the xDrive30i.

There’s additionally the problem of the worth. Though it’s properly geared up, the very fact you’re greater than $85,000 earlier than on-road prices for a base X3 with a couple of choices is a bit stunning given the identical automobile price $80,000 in 2022, and simply over $75,000 in 2021.

If it’s worth for cash you’re after, it’s value having a look on the Lexus NX or Volvo XC60 alongside the X3 to check how a lot grunt you get to your cash.

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MORE: Every part BMW X3