BMW’s X3 best-seller renewed

“Modernity, presence, and sporting flair reach new levels: the best-seller embarks on a new era,” says BMW at the launch of the renewed best-seller X3. The new range won’t have a full-electric version, as this iX3 successor will be the first product of the “Neue Klasse”, launched next year. But there’s an improved PHEV version.

BMW announces a new design language for the fourth generation of the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) for the premium midsize segment. “High-quality materials, a far more generous standard specification, advanced digitalization, and the new BMW iDrive with QuickSelect based on BMW Operating System 9 set the tone for the premium ambiance inside the progressively designed cabin,” says the press release.

The portfolio of powertrains comprises not only petrol and diesel engines but also a latest-generation plug-in hybrid system that enables the new BMW X3 30e xDrive to achieve an electric range of 81 to 90 kilometers in the WLTP cycle.

Success story

“The new edition’s aura of modernity and enhanced product substance provides the ideal basis for adding another chapter to the BMW X3 success story,” says the manufacturer. The X3 was the brand’s best-selling model in 2023.

The new BMW X3 will be built at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg (USA) and Plant Rosslyn (South Africa). According to BMW, it will be built using a production process focused on conserving resources and circularity. Its market launch will begin in Europe and the USA in the fourth quarter of 2024, progressing across the other markets from January 2025.

In and out

A new exterior design language helps to give the fourth generation clear and distinctive BMW X model cues. The new BMW X3 is slightly bigger but a little lower. It’s 34 millimeters longer than its predecessor, at 4,755 millimeters, while its width has increased by 29 millimeters to 1,920 millimeters. The vehicle height drops 25 millimeters to 1,660 millimeters.

The LED headlights’ daytime driving lights, side lights, and turn signal indicators are now all produced by L-shaped, overlapping light sources. Adaptive LED Headlights with non-dazzling matrix high beam, urban light, cornering light functions, and blue design detailing are optionally available.

In the interior, the BMW Curved Display, BMW Interaction Bar, steering wheels with a flat-bottomed rim, and the new-look gear selector lever are the defining elements of the cockpit’s modern take on BMW’s driver-focused design.

Load space can be increased from 570 to a maximum of 1,700 liters (plug-in version: 460 – 1,600 liters). An electrically extended and retractable trailer coupling can be specified as an option. The maximum permitted trailer load is 2,500 kilograms, depending on the model variant.

More generous

The new BMW X3’s more generous standard specification offers features that help boost comfort and driving pleasure compared to the outgoing model. These include three-zone automatic climate control, acoustic glazing, Comfort Access, automatic tailgate operation, an electric folding mechanism for the exterior mirrors, an alarm system, and BMW Live Cockpit Plus, complete with the cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system.

The new BMW X3 also comes standard with ambient lighting featuring a Welcome and Goodbye Animation, a tray including a wireless charging function for compatible smartphones, a Bluetooth interface, four USB-C ports, a 12V power socket in the center console, and another in the luggage compartment.

Of course, the new BMW X3 has the latest version of BMW iDrive with QuickSelect for easy control. Its new home screen shows vertically arranged function icons on the same level. The QuickSelect feature allows functions to be activated directly without entering a submenu.

The new BMW iDrive is geared squarely toward touch and voice control. It is based on BMW Operating System 9, which also allows for a customizable selection of additional digital services.

Better range

The drive system in the BMW X3 30e xDrive plug-in hybrid comprises a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine partnered with an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic transmission. Together, these combine to generate a system output of up to 220 kW/299 hp.

Helped by the latest-generation BMW eDrive technology and adaptive recuperation, the revised PHEV version achieves an electric range of 81 – 90 kilometers in the WLTP cycle, which is considerably longer than its predecessor could offer. Its Combined Charging Unit enables AC charging at 11 kW as standard, but there is no DC charging available. With the Connected Home Charging option, the plug-in-hybrid model now comes prepared for smart charging.

Mild hybrid, all-wheel-drive

48V mild hybrid technology endows all other variants of the new BMW X3 with enhanced efficiency and rapid power delivery. It enables the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit in the new BMW X3 20 xDrive to generate a maximum output of 153 kW/208 hp. This translates into a 0 to 100 kph acceleration time of 7.8 seconds.

The four-cylinder diesel engine, also with a displacement of 2.0 liters, posts a maximum output of 145 kW/197 hp. The diesel model completes the 0 to 100 kph sprint in 7.7 seconds. A six-cylinder in-line diesel engine will be added to the new BMW X3’s lineup in the summer of 2025.

The top model is the new BMW X3 M50 xDrive. Its maximum output of 293 kW/398 hp is channeled to the road via an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive.

All the power units link up with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission, including shift paddles on the steering wheel, as standard. All model variants also benefit from a fully variable distribution of drive power via the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system.

Drive aids

The new BMW X3 offers a far more extensive range of standard and optional systems for semi-automated driving and parking. It is equipped as standard with a front collision warning, Lane Departure Warning, Speed Limit Info, and the Driving Assistant, including Lane Change Warning and manual Speed Limit Assist. The Parking Assistant (also standard) incorporates features such as the Reversing Assistant and a Reversing Assist Camera.

The list of optional systems highlights the Steering and Lane Control Assistant, automatic Speed Limit Assist, and route speed control when using Active Cruise Control with the Stop&Go function. The optional Parking Assistant Professional allows parking and general maneuvers to be controlled from outside the car using a smartphone.

For now, the above-mentioned specifications and equipment apply to the German market. More detailed specifications for other countries will be available at the launch later this year. In Belgium, the price for the basic version (2.0 petrol) will start at €56,900. The two-liter diesel costs €2,750 more.

The top models are the PHEV X3 30e xDrive and the M-version X3 M50 xDrive. The first one will cost €68,650 euro in standard trim; the second one is definitely the most powerful and sporty X3 and will cost €82,250 in Belgium.