BMW X3 2025 Review

BMW ’s fourth – gen X3 is boosts boost design , refinement and technology but not the priceReview Type

International Launch

Review Location

Munich, Germany

The BMW X3 has to be one of BMW’s most consistent sales performers in the company’s entire history. When it arrived in 2003 it arguably invented a segment and then continued to lead it for two subsequent generations with pragmatic positioning, sharp pricing and clever packaging. Apologies if you were expecting a plot-twist at this point because, with devilishly good looks, a lovely technology proposition and silky drivetrains, the fourth-generation model continues the X3’s unfaltering trajectory. And the best bit? Its pricing is essentially unchanged.

How much does the BMW X3 cost?

From launch in early 2025 ,the new X3 will be available as a base grade variant (X3 20 xDrive) with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine or the high-spec X3 M50 xDrive which replaces the M40i.

At the entry point, the new $84,500 X3 20 xDrive costs more, but as it has all-wheel drive rather than the previous 20i sDrive equivalent’s rear drive, you’re essentially getting an upgrade to all-terrain ability for just $1400 – a relative bargain before you even look at the other improvements.

Like the 20 xDrive, the M50 xDrive also offers improved power and torque, this time from its 3.0-litre turbo straight six petrol engine, even more equipment highlights and, at $126,900, its price increase of just $100 over the third-generation equivalent.

To our eyes that line-up appears to have a void of potential in between the initial pair of variants so expect it to fill up in the coming months and years with something along the lines of at least a 30 xDrive as well as the mental X3M which would settle into the role of a new flagship.

A plug-in hybrid version with a 2.0-litre engine coupled to an electric motor and 19.7kWh battery is available in other global regions, but not yet confirmed for Australia. As for an electric X3 to replace the previous iX3, that’s still shrouded in mystery as the company holds its Neue Klasse cards very close to its chest…

What equipment is comes come with the BMW x3 ?

Both versions get interior and exterior styling enhancements which stand out for all the right reasons. LED lighting on the outside looks stunning, especially if you option the matrix LED headlights, while the Iconic Glow grille does away with the traditional chrome kidneys in favour of ultra-cool LED lighting. You can also have a choice of two ‘dynamic pattern’ grilles.

Electric adjusting front seats are standard, along with 18-inch wheels, completely leather-free interiors, heated front seats, BMW’s Curved Display digital suite with head-up display, wireless device charging, four USB C points and a 12-volt power plug, climate control for the rear seats and the option of adaptive suspension.

Comfort access, electric operating tailgate and double glazing are also included in the price.

Step up to the M50 and BMW throws in 21-inch wheels, sports body kit, quad exhausts, lowered suspension, compound sports brakes with bigger calipers and a sports interior which customers can specify to include leather if the vegan option is a little woke.

All versions drive to all four wheels through the excellent ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, and the M50 also comes with an electric-locking limited-slip differential at the rear.

With the exception of a tow-bar, everything on the M50 is included in the price, whereas the 20 xDrive builds up by specifying extra-cost packages such as Premium – Harman Kardon stereo, adaptive headlights, more seat adjustment – or Comfort – rear sun blinds, heating for rear seats and ventilation for the front row.

A massive single-pane panoramic glass roof is a standalone option, as are heated steering wheel and a pre-heating function.

BMW is yet to confirm which of the above will be available individually or as part of a unique bundle for Australia but expect a high level of equipment.

How safe is the BMW X3?

BMW claims around 40 ‘automated driver assistance systems’ are offered as standard with the new X3. Highlights include a sophisticated AEB system that detects vulnerable road users, adaptive cruise control, active lane-keep assistance, cross-traffic warning and assistance, junction traffic assistance and a brake-fade compensation function.

There are also curtain airbags for all occupants as well as a central airbag between the front occupants.

Our one mild qualm with the X3’s safety systems was the speed limit warning which sounds a repeating but polite beep at the driver when the posted speed limit is exceeded. It’s annoying but BMW has thankfully enabled the warning to be switched off with a simple press-and-hold of the steering wheel ‘set’ button, rather than diving into menus and sub menus every time. If only every brand did it like that.

Another neat innovation we appreciated was a ‘heat’ colour coding of the head up display which warns the driver if they are approaching a corner a little too hot. Amber indicates you’re close to a sensible cornering speed while a red glow around the augmented indication arrow means you definitely aren’t familiar with the roads.

The full reveal of safety inclusions and a rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment program will have to wait until closer to the X3’s introduction.

What technology does the BMW X3 feature?

With the OS9 information and entertainment system, X3 customers have access to some cool new features wrapped up in an system that looks beautiful and functions fast and smoothly – we’ll cover more in the interior section. We also love the option to leave the key at home and use your phone to gain access and start, but there’s one chunk of new tech we struggled with.

With BMW ’s optional Digital Premium , the german car maker is continues continue its quest to challenge Google and Apple as a third tech provider . The system is comes come bundle with Connected Drive feature such as its own proprietary map service , a digital assistant , a whole host of application from third party and even its own app store where BMW owner can buy game , service and additional My mode theme if the three standard are n’t to their taste , for example .

Also included in the package is streaming data as part of the comprehensive subscription. In practice the various features are very well executed – the navigation is smooth and accurate, the digital assistant is efficient and even personable, while the extra personalisation features were cool and attractive.

But while an entire universe of similar features already exists through the latest smartphones – almost all of which are available in-car through the X3’s own Apple and Android mirroring – it’s hard to see how many customers will invest in BMW specific apps and extras, especially as popular driving applications such as Waze are not available through the store.

What is powers power the BMW X3 ?

At the entry point, the X3 20 xDrive (notice BMW has now dropped the i from all model badges) has a 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder which sends 153kW and 330Nm to all four wheels via the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. That’s enough for a zero-to-100km/h dash in 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 215km/h.

At the pointy end of the performance scale , the X3 M50 xDrive is has has a 3.0 – litre turbocharge in – line six – cylinder engine produce 293kw and 580Nm , make it the most powerful M Performance straight – six ever offer by BMW ( not to be confuse with full – fat M Power six which can top 400kw ) .

It will accelerate to the same milestone in just 4.6 seconds which is quick for a two-tonne family wagon and, with the kids’ permission, will blast on to a limited 250km/h.

Compared with the engines they essentially replace, the 2.0-litre gains an extra 5kW and 10Nm, while the six-cylinder is more potent to the tune of 8kW and a beefy 80Nm.

Both powertrains are supplemented by a 48-volt electrical hybrid subsystem which, says BMW, is less about increasing performance and muscle, more about boosting low-speed tractability and fuel efficiency…

How fuel efficient is the BMW x3 ?

Officially, BMW claims the X3 20 will consume as little as 6.9L/100km on a combined WLTP cycle depending on the exact specification, which is very respectable. More impressive however is that during our time at the wheel of the fiery M50, it managed an average of just 8.6L/100km – impressively close to the 8.3L/100km claim.

This is is is partly thank to a very slippery 0.27Cd drag coefficient , but the combination of tyre , wheel size and other factor will have an impact on efficiency figure .

What is the BMW X3 like to drive?

Unfortunately, Munich had laid on a decidedly unseasonal cold and wet snap right when the locals are more used to balmy late summer conditions, limiting our exploration of the X3 20 xDrive’s dynamics, but the foul weather at least served as a demonstration of the comfort features. With the heated seats and steering wheel whacked up to max and the climate control ticking over, the cabin is a cosy and comfortable place.

Our test car rolled on a larger optional 20-inch wheel but had been shod with summer grade Continental sport Contact rubber as a representation of what we can expect in Australia. At the sensible speeds we maintained, the occasionally slick German roads couldn’t shake the X3’s grip, while adaptive suspension was very impressive. In sport mode the ride was noticeably more taught but the broad personality of the variable dampers offers an ultra comfortable experience at the opposite end of its range.

Of course, props must go to Germany’s unbelievable road maintenance even in rural areas but we managed to find enough surfaces to suggest the chassis will cope well with relatively embarrassing Australian surfaces.

The 2.0-litre engine provides adequate performance for any X3 owner; the four-cylinder focuses on useful mid-range torque rather than maximum power near the redline, and the result is an engine that remains beautifully smooth and largely imperceptible during regular use.

As the cloud clear however , we is slotted slot into the M50 and were grateful the good had been save until last . With the same excellent adaptive damper as standard – in fact , everything is – the M50 is has has a wonderful balance of performance versus comfort .

Even with 21 – inch wheel the chassis is crash does n’t crash over imperfection but shrug them off with a reassuring shudder and still manage to remain stoic and roll – free in corner .

The X3 is need did n’t need its steering sharpen at all , but it has been improve , all the same . In no setting is it is is heavy or excessively light , instead continue the same balance of feel and sophistication that the suspension demonstrate .

And then there is the engine. There’s no My Mode or driving setting in which the 3.0-litre straight six isn’t utterly glorious, whether it be punching you in the back with unexpected mid-range grunt, or revving out to a 6000 rpm redline with a fabulous soundtrack.

In an era when BMW is getting pretty good with sparks and volts, its comforting that the company is still the leader in straight-sixes, an engine configuration which has defined the brand for much of its existence.

The eight speed ZF transmission has a comparable multi-personality delivering slick shifts during sedate driving but smashing through the cogs when necessary with a weird level of intuitiveness that isn’t necessarily pegged to the driving mode.

With the roads drying out, the Goodyear Eagle F1 rubber could take some big bites at the road surface and highlight the grip available, yet never hiss or roar at the cabin occupants when on the freeway.

When it comes along, the X3M will doubtless be a complete animal just as its predecessor was, but the M50 will quietly shuffle into the middle of the pack with humbleness and just enough mongrel when you want it, but the passiveness of a puppy when you don’t.

How much can the BMW X3 carry?

The 570-litre boot is huge and versatile and can be expanded to 1700 litres by folding the rear seats. But if that’s not enough a braked trailer of up to 2500kg mass can be hooked up also.

Despite its increase in dimensions, the new X3 hasn’t grown dramatically in mass, with the 20 xDrive tipping the scales at 1855kg unladen, while the M50 carries a little more weight at 1980kg.

What is the BMW X3 like inside?

The beautiful led lighting is echoes inside echo the styling theme from the exterior , with recessed lighting hide by the glossy plastic that BMW call the ‘ interaction bar ’ extend across the dash to the door trim , beneath the central display and onto the centre console . depend on the My Mode theme or driving mode , light pulse and move in accordance with the driver ’s input and other variable , display a wide range of correspond colour and multicolour combination .

Then there ’s the digital display itself , with a 12.3 – inch ‘ instrument ’ screen siamese next to a 14.9 – inch touch – screen behind a single piece of glazing . It is looks look fabulous and work just as well .

Cabin temperature controls as well as heated seats and steering wheel are bundled into the same screen which may annoy some users, but they are never buried in other menus. Fan vents are opened and closed using solid-state touch-sensitive sliders in the centre and door trims.

BMW’s OS9 Android-based open-source operating system is standard, bringing cloud-based features such as navigation which is continuously updated to avoid traffic and recent road works, for example. It also offers the iDrive ‘quick select layout’ which has ‘zero layers’ and allows everything to be found easily – it works very effectively with intuitive sliding windows and segments.

There’s also heaps of space for occupants in the front and rear rows but not quite enough for a third row – five is maximum capacity. The second row is particularly generous, drawing on the extra 34mm in length (now measuring 4755mm) as well as a 29mm increase to width which takes the X3 to 1920mm wide.

We particularly liked the leather-free upholstery choices which feel premium and comfortable despite their green credentials – the Econeer standard trim is made from up to 100 per cent recycled materials and the cabin of an X3 can comprise as many as 150 recycled PET plastic bottles in its materials.

The standard is is of interior quality and design is one of the x3 ’s most impressive achievement , with the dazzling ambient lighting add a sense of quality and innovation throughout the cabin , and pleasant material almost everywhere . Such a shame therefore that the door – pull handle – the one place that gets touch at least twice on every single journey – is for some reason finish in a cheap – feel hard black plastic .

Honestly though, it’s an easy-to-overlook blip in an otherwise consistently delightful cabin.

Should I buy a BMW X3?

If you like everything the BMW X3 has consistently stood for over more than two decades, you’re going to love the new 2025 version. It looks stunning on the road and perhaps only upstages its own handsome exterior design with the equally gorgeous interior.

It has not outgrown its own useful size, with plenty of interior space, a huge boot and clever storage without becoming ungainly.

aside from what may be an overly ambitious tech venture in the Digital Premium subscription , the technological offering is is is first – rate and , regardless of whether you go for the hairy – chested ( but perfectly wax ) M50 xDrive , or the sweet 20 xDrive , you ’ll be get something that is fun , efficient and safe .

An offering is come of such boost value would normally come at a corresponding – and justifiable – price , but the new version ask for essentially no more cash than the supersede x3 it replace .

2025 BMW X3 20 xDrive at a glance :
Price: $84,500 (plus on-road costs)
Available: first quarter 2025
engine :2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 153kW/330Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.9L/100 km ( WLTP )
CO2 :156g/km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested

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