BMW X3 review
The BMW X3 is a premium family SUV that’s brilliant to drive, hugely practical, and has a stunning, high-quality interior.
Author: Charlie Harvey
18th Dec 2025 – 9 mins read
The BMW X3 pretty much invented the premium mid-size SUV class when it first arrived back in 2004. Since then, it has become one of the go-to choices for families who want a car that’s practical, luxurious, and great fun to drive. The third-generation model, launched in 2017, is the best yet, blending a comfortable and spacious cabin with sharp handling and powerful, efficient engines. It’s a car that feels like a true all-rounder. It has the premium feel and desirable badge that makes it feel special, but it's also a hugely competent family workhorse. While the ride can be a little firm, especially on sporty M Sport models, the trade-off is a car that feels more like a sports saloon to drive than a tall SUV. If you want a family SUV that doesn’t compromise on driving fun, the X3 is one of the very best you can get.
Pros
- Fantastic fun to drive for an SUV
- Beautifully designed and high-quality interior
- Efficient and powerful engine choices
Cons
- The ride can be a bit firm on bumpy roads
- Optional extras can be very expensive
- The exterior styling is quite conservative
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The interior of the BMW X3 is a masterclass in quality and user-friendly design. It might not have the flashiest layout, but everything is incredibly well built and easy to use. The materials are all top-notch, with soft-touch plastics, lovely metal finishes, and a feeling of solid, German engineering throughout.
The dashboard is centred around BMW’s excellent iDrive infotainment system, which is controlled by a rotary dial on the centre console. It’s far easier to use on the move than a touchscreen and is one of the most intuitive systems out there. The screen itself is crisp and clear, and the whole setup gives the cabin a modern, premium feel without being overly complicated.
Comfort
The X3 strikes a great balance between comfort and sporty handling. The standard suspension does a good job of soaking up most bumps, making for a comfortable ride in most situations. However, it's worth noting that M Sport models have firmer suspension and larger wheels, which can make the ride feel quite firm on rougher British roads. If comfort is your absolute top priority, it's worth looking for a model with the optional adaptive suspension.
The seats are fantastically supportive, which is a real bonus on long journeys, and it’s easy for anyone to get a perfect driving position. The cabin is also very quiet and refined, especially at motorway speeds, making the X3 a superb long-distance cruiser.
Quality
BMW has a reputation for building high-quality cars, and the X3 is a perfect example of this. The cabin feels rock-solid, with no squeaks or rattles to be found. Every button and switch moves with a satisfying precision that speaks to the quality of the engineering.
It’s this sense of quality that really helps the X3 stand out. From the grade of the leather upholstery to the solid thud the doors make when you close them, every detail feels premium. It’s a cabin that feels built to last and makes every journey feel that little bit more special.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
The X3 is a very practical and spacious car, making it an ideal choice for families. There’s plenty of room up front, and passengers in the back are treated to generous amounts of legroom and headroom. Two adults can sit in the back in comfort, even on long journeys, although the middle seat is a bit narrow and best reserved for shorter trips or children.
There are lots of useful storage spaces throughout the cabin, including large door bins and a decent-sized glovebox. All models come with Isofix child seat mounting points on the outer rear seats, making it easy and safe to fit car seats for the little ones.
Boot space
At 550 litres, the boot in the BMW X3 is one of the biggest in its class. It’s a large, square space that’s perfect for swallowing bulky items like pushchairs, suitcases, or the family’s weekly shop. It’s bigger than the boot in an Audi Q5 and matches what you get in a Mercedes-Benz GLC.
If you need to carry even larger items, the rear seats fold down in a flexible 40:20:40 split, opening up a huge load area. An automatic tailgate is standard on all models, which is a really handy feature when you’re approaching the car with your hands full of shopping bags.
Driving
Driving experience
This is where the BMW X3 really excels. For a tall, practical SUV, it’s remarkably fun to drive. The steering is precise and gives you a great sense of connection to the road, and the car feels agile and composed on twisty B-roads. It handles with the poise of a much smaller, sportier car, with very little body roll in the corners.
All models come with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system as standard, which provides excellent grip and traction in all weather conditions, giving you lots of confidence. While some rivals might offer a slightly softer ride, few can match the X3’s blend of comfort and driver engagement. It’s a family car that you’ll genuinely enjoy driving.
Performance
The engine line-up in the X3 is superb, offering a great mix of performance and efficiency. The most popular engine is the 2.0-litre diesel, badged xDrive20d. It produces 187bhp and has plenty of pulling power, making it feel quick and effortless in all situations. For even more performance, there are powerful 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engines (xDrive30d and M40d) that are incredibly smooth and very fast.
There’s also a great 2.0-litre petrol engine (xDrive20i) and, for those who want serious performance, the M40i and X3 M models offer incredible hot-hatch-beating pace. A plug-in hybrid model (xDrive30e) is also available, which is brilliant for company car drivers or those who do lots of short journeys.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
For a car of its size and performance, the X3 is impressively economical, particularly the diesel models. The hugely popular xDrive20d can officially return over 50mpg, which is an excellent figure for a premium family SUV. Even the powerful six-cylinder diesels offer surprisingly good fuel economy.
The plug-in hybrid xDrive30e is the star for low running costs if you can charge it regularly, offering an official electric-only range that’s perfect for covering the school run or commute without using any petrol. Insurance groups are what you’d expect for a premium car, but are competitive with rivals.
Value for money
The X3 is a premium SUV with a premium price tag, but it does come with a generous level of standard equipment. It also holds its value very well, which is great news for owners as it means you’ll get more of your money back when you come to sell it. This strong residual value also makes it an attractive proposition on a finance deal, often resulting in competitive monthly payments.
Reliability & Warranty
BMW has a strong reputation for engineering and reliability, and the X3 feels like a very solid and dependable car. From new, all BMWs come with a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, which is better than the mileage caps offered by rivals like Audi and Mercedes and provides great peace of mind when buying a nearly-new model.
Safety
Safety features
The BMW X3 is an incredibly safe car. It was awarded the maximum five-star rating when it was crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP, with particularly high scores for protecting both adult and child occupants in a crash.
All models come well-equipped with safety kit as standard, including cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and an automatic emergency braking system. You can also find many used examples fitted with optional safety packs that add even more advanced driver assistance features, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The X3 is available in a few core trim levels, all of which are well-equipped.
SE: The entry-level model is far from basic. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, and BMW’s iDrive infotainment system with satellite navigation.
xLine: This trim adds a more rugged, off-road look with different 18-inch wheels, satin aluminium exterior trim, and sports seats.
M Sport: This is the most popular trim in the UK. It gives the X3 a much sportier and more aggressive look, with a full M Sport body kit, larger 19-inch alloy wheels, and firmer M Sport suspension. It also adds sports seats and an M Sport steering wheel.
Engines
The X3 offers a fantastic range of petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid engines. All come with an automatic gearbox and xDrive all-wheel drive.
xDrive20i: A 2.0-litre petrol engine with 184bhp. A smooth and quiet choice.xDrive20d: The best-selling engine. A 2.0-litre diesel with 187bhp that offers a brilliant blend of performance and economy.xDrive30d: A powerful and silky-smooth 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel with 282bhp.xDrive30e: A plug-in hybrid model that combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a total of 288bhp and a useful electric-only range.M40d/M40i: High-performance models with powerful six-cylinder diesel or petrol engines, offering incredible speed.