The BMW X3 is a staple within the luxurious mid-sized SUV world, and it’s displaying no signal of slowing down.

So far in 2023 it’s been a top-three vendor in its class (prime two in the event you take away the cheaper, electrical Tesla Mannequin Y), and it’s been comfortably the best-selling automobile for BMW in Australia.

A lot has modified for the reason that present X3 launched. Now six years previous, it was up to date final 12 months with a recent look and inside know-how, together with a better price ticket. It’s additionally about to face off with new competitors within the type of the Mercedes-Benz GLC300.

Our spy photographers have snapped the next-generation X3 testing within the snow however it’s not anticipated to debut till subsequent 12 months on the earliest, so there’s loads of life left within the automobile you see right here but.

Does the X3 nonetheless have what it takes to face out from the gang?

How a lot does the BMW X3 xDrive30i price?

Pricing jumped throughout the X3 vary for 2023. The xDrive30i on take a look at right here is up by $4600 in comparison with the similar automobile in 2022.

Regardless of the worth hike, it nonetheless undercuts the brand new Mercedes-Benz GLC300 ($104,900) primarily based on record worth. It’s considerably dearer than the equal Audi Q5 45 TFSI quattro ($82,800).

You can too get a Volvo XC60 Final B6 Darkish for $86,990 earlier than on-roads, or a Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD Sport for $84,600 earlier than on-roads.

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

Costs exclude on-road prices

What’s the BMW X3 xDrive30i like on the within?

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

With massive home windows, a excessive roofline, and loads of house between the entrance seats, it might be confused for an even 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 sports activities seats drop low sufficient and supply sufficient bolstering to nonetheless maintain you in place.

Tall or brief drivers gained’t have any bother getting comfy, and the M Sport steering wheel is a high quality merchandise.

It could be a bit too fats for individuals with small arms, although. BMW loves a chubby steering wheel, and the X3 is not any exception.

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

Certain, a rising belt line and coupe roofline look sharp, however the extra typical wagon physique on this SUV is way extra sensible.

The know-how within the up to date X3 is superb. iDrive 7.0 has been usurped within the newest BMW electrical automobiles, however the system is up there with the very 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 basic BMW controller on the transmission, and the massive on-screen tiles are straightforward 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 most recent Audi Digital Cockpit for customisability or readability. Our tester additionally had some misaligned trim items across the local weather controls, which isn’t adequate in a luxurious SUV.

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

You’ll get three individuals throughout in consolation because of the broad bench, and the door opening is broad sufficient to make loading little one seats straightforward.

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 utterly flat.

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

What’s below the bonnet?

Energy within the xDrive30i comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 185kW of energy and 350Nm of torque, mated with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed ZF automated transmission.

The 100km/h dash takes a claimed 6.3 seconds, and claimed gasoline financial system is 7.9 litres per 100km. We noticed 8.3 litres per 100km over per week of combined driving.

The gasoline tank holds 65 litres, and 95 RON premium unleaded gasoline is required.

How does the BMW X3 xDrive30i drive?

The X3 may slot into the mid-sized SUV section on paper, however it drives like an even bigger automobile.

It feels rock strong, and the two.0-litre engine punches nicely above its weight. We’ve raved in regards to the diesel engine within the 30d, however the turbocharged petrol within the 30i has loads to supply as nicely.

BMW has tuned in a fruity flare of revs while you flip it on, however for essentially the most half it flies below the radar with easy, easy efficiency. It’s silent at idle, with no vibration within the cabin, and the eight-speed transmission simply slurs from gear-to-gear on the town to maintain the engine under about 2500rpm.

Put your foot down and it revs out easily, with loads of punch within the mid-range and a pleasant noise behind it. It lacks the final diploma of easy shove you get within the 30d, however at no level does the X3 really feel like a giant automobile with a small coronary heart.

A lot of the X3 fashions offered in Australia are the M Sport, like our tester. Which means you get massive wheels, sporty appears, and loads of M badging.

In contrast to the right X3 M, nevertheless, you additionally get a suspension tune that’s comfy within the metropolis. It nonetheless errs on the facet of sportiness, however nonetheless does a great job maintaining nasty metropolis streets on the surface. It’s a bit busier than some rivals; the trade-off is superb physique management and a rock strong feeling on the freeway.

With mild steering, glorious visibility, and among the finest cameras within the enterprise, there’s no excuse for scraped bumpers or wheels.

Up the pace and the X3 settles down properly. It’s very environment friendly at a cruise, with the stay gasoline financial system readout sitting at round 6.0 litres per 100km with the engine ticking over at 100km/h in eighth gear, and there’s little or no wind or highway noise.

It settles shortly over freeway crests and dips, and there’s nonetheless sufficient punch in reserve for overtakes at nation freeway speeds.

The adaptive cruise management system is among the smoothest and smartest within the enterprise, and the lane-keep help strikes the suitable steadiness between getting concerned while you drift, and leaving you to your individual units while you don’t.

With its tall window line, elevated driving place, and fairly comfort-oriented experience, the X3 doesn’t possess the recent hatch-like agility of a Porsche Macan, nor the laser focus of its X3 M Competitors massive brother.

It’s tied down nicely sufficient to deal with the ability on supply, and the steering packs sufficient weight to encourage affordable confidence within the bends.

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 facet mirrors
• Heated
• Anti-dazzle (driver’s facet solely)
• Auto-dipping (passenger’s facet 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 Companies 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

X3 xDrive30i M Sport + xDrive30d M Sport add:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• M Aerodynamics package deal
• BMW M high-gloss black window highlights
• BMW M high-gloss black roof rails
• M Sport brakes
• 12-speaker sound system
• M leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Anthracite headliner
• M inside trim
• M door sill trims
• ‘Vernasca’ leather-based upholstery
• Driver’s seat bolster adjustment

Choices

Visibility Package deal: $5400 (20i, 20d, 30i, 30d)

• Metallic paint
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• BMW Laserlight headlights

Consolation Package deal: $1200 (20i, 20d, 30i, 30d)

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

Is the BMW X3 xDrive30i protected?

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

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

This five-star ANCAP score applies to all variants besides the xDrive30e plug-in hybrid.

Commonplace security options embrace:

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

Stepping as much as the xDrive30i or above will get you security options together with junction help, blind-spot monitoring, entrance and rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep help, adaptive cruise management with cease/go, and surround-view digital camera.

How a lot does the BMW X3 xDrive30i 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 package deal prices $2400 for the core X3 vary.

CarExpert’s Tackle the BMW X3 xDrive30i

It’s dearer than ever, however the X3 nonetheless has loads to supply in 2023.

The inside is beginning to present its age, one thing that’ll solely turn out to be extra pronounced when the brand new Mercedes-Benz GLC touches down, however it stays essentially the most sensible luxurious mid-sized SUV on the market, and there’s nothing out-of-date about the best way it drives.

Though the punchy diesel engine sitting above it within the vary is tempting, and the rear-wheel drive sDrive20i is considerably cheaper, the 30i nonetheless represents a candy spot for many patrons.

Click on the photographs for the complete gallery

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