The most recent assessment of trim-level features and specifications, performance, safety, and comfort can be found in Edmunds’ expert evaluation of the used 2018 BMW X3.
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2018 New Releases
The BMW X3 is brand-new for 2018. The X3 comes in two different engine configurations for the first year of the third generation: the 30i, a 4-cylinder turbo with 252 horsepower, and the M40i, a 6-cylinder turbo with a respectable 355 horsepower. Each model is only offered with xDrive. The new power plants and body style are only two examples of the changes. A lot of new technology is included to the remodeled interior, including iDrive 6.0 and the sneaky Gesture control feature that enables hand motions to manage functions like incoming phone calls or audio selection.
Saying the market for small, luxurious SUVs is hot is equivalent to saying water is wet, Elon Musk is ambitious, and so on.
The Interior
With a jumble of stacked controls beneath a tablet-like screen that floats above the central air vents, the new X3’s interior design is typical of BMW. A stitched vinyl wrap is an option for the upper portions of the dashboard and doors, and there are plenty of storage options and attractive materials decorating all eye-level places. Although the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and XC60 feel a step above the competition, the grainier finishes and unpadded surfaces lay below elbow level.
Front seats with power adjustments and vinyl upholstery with the BMW SensaTec brand are included as standard. Leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated back seats are all options. Despite the optional panoramic moonroof in our test car, the seats are generally cozy and have plenty of headroom in both rows (a feature that typically cuts overhead space). Adults in the back may find their knees uncomfortably lifted because the bench sits so low to the ground, and chunky grab bars on the front doors violate the outboard knee area. Overall, there is not much legroom in the back.
The backseat’s 40/20/40 split can recline a little bit without sliding. BMW estimates the load volume to be 28.7 cubic feet behind the rear and 62.7 cubic feet with the seats folding. A motorized liftgate is a standard feature. We’ve found luggage specifications to be inaccurate, but BMW claims it measured the X3 similarly to its previous SUVs. That means that the X5’s cargo space is at the very least comparable to that of the X1 (27.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats; 58.7 cubic feet with the seats folding) (35.8 and 76.7 cubic feet).
Standard features include HD radio, Bluetooth, a 6.5-inch monitor without a touchscreen that has a backup camera. A 10.3-inch touchscreen display and BMW’s iDrive system controls are two additional premium package options. Additionally available are wireless Apple CarPlay, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, LTE in-car Wi-Fi, and a wide range of device compatibility from BMW (smartphone and smartwatch apps, plus Amazon Echo integration). And yet, Android Auto is not available.
Although the X3 has not yet undergone crash testing, front collision warning with automated emergency braking is still an option, not a requirement. This is a crucial safety feature that is frequently included as standard in the class; a $16,530 Toyota Yaris has it as well. BMW needs to start following the rules. The range of further semi-autonomous technologies includes anything from adaptive cruise control to lane-centering steering. Although the steering capability requires frequent driver inputs and is not hands-free like Cadillac’s Super Cruise, both systems are capable of working all the way down to a stop.
Is a new BMW X3 on the way?
The next fourth-generation BMW X3 is being tested on the road for the first time, and it appears that the mid-size SUV will have a completely new look. Along with all-electric versions, we anticipate it to be the last X3 to include an internal combustion engine.
Compared to the existing X3, this test vehicle has a wider kidney grille and slimmer headlights up front. The new BMW 7 Series and X7’s split headlamp styling appears to be abandoned in the headlight design. The BMW badge, which is ridged in the bonnet and shared by the M3, i4, and XM, was also visible.
The wheel arch contour and upswept window line to the rear pillar, which creates the company’s renowned “Hofmeister kink,” are comparable to those of the present model. We anticipate that the rear lights, which are heavily camouflaged in our spy photos, will be two independent pieces rather than a single light bar. There are currently no distinguishing elements on the lower bumper, but the roof spoiler at the back appears to have gotten bigger.
The next-generation X3 received a redesign in June 2021, thus it’s unlikely that it will be unveiled until the end of 2023, with a 2024 release date. The timing of this arrival is tricky for BMW because the X3 would barely miss the introduction of the “Neue Klasse” platform, which is slated to debut in 2025.
It implies that the entirely electric iX3 (based on the current X3) will continue to be produced well into the life of the future X3. The redesigned CLAR platform from BMW, which is compatible with mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and pure-EV powertrains, will likely serve as the foundation for the next X3.
The majority of the range is anticipated to be made up of a combination of four-cylinder gasoline engines and six-cylinder gasoline engines with electric assistance. The current BMW X3 M employs the same 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six engine as the M3, so don’t be surprised if the X3 M does too. We’ll see the introduction of hybrid technology in a M automobile with the next BMW XM.
Although we haven’t yet seen inside the new X3, the infotainment system will undoubtedly be based on the company’s OS 8 operating system. It should appear on a curved display that combines a 12.3-inch infotainment screen from the iX with a 14.9-inch digital instrument cluster.
When the new BMW X3 goes on sale in the UK in 2024, it’s anticipated to inch closer to a PS50k entry price tag, once again competing against premium rivals like the Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLC, with the present BMW X3 starting at PS45,585.
In 2022, will the BMW X3 be a new model?
A new exterior design for the 2022 BMW X3 M includes aerodynamic bumpers, updated headlamp and taillight styles, and a modern color scheme that includes Frozen Portimao Blue Metallic. Performance driving is prioritized inside thanks to a 12.3″ Central Information Display, M View display mode, and a redesigned gearshifter design.
Is BMW getting rid of the X3?
Is the BMW X3 being phased out? A: No, BMW has not stated that it intends to stop selling the X3 as of December 2021. But according to BMW, the X3’s plug-in hybrid model, the xDrive30e, will be replaced by a mild hybrid model for the 2022 model year.
What changes will the BMW X3 make in 2021 and 2022?
Inside their cabins, the 2022 and 2021 X3 variants differ even further. In 2022, the Driving Assistance Package, which is present in both model years, will include a new component. Traffic Jam Assist is this. Between these two model years, all other features are constant (both standard and optional).
What is the Mercedes version of the BMW X3?
Prices for the 2022 BMW X3 range from $43,700 to $69,900, not including a $995 destination fee, for consumers. BMW offers three basic variants of its small luxury SUV. The popular X3 30i is available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) sDrive30i or all-wheel drive (AWD) xDrive30i and boasts a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The price increases by $2,000 when AWD is chosen.
Choose the BMW X3 M40i, which boasts a turbocharged 6-cylinder engine and standard AWD, if you want something with more panache. BMW also offers the X3 M, which features an even more potent 6-cylinder and a modified suspension, for those looking for a high-performance compact SUV. The X3 xDrive30e plug-in hybrid model is no longer being produced by the carmaker as of 2022.
The 2022 X3 features a variety of linked services, including remote locking and engine starting, live emergency support, concierge services, digital key access, and even a driving recorder, as is characteristic of small luxury SUVs. A Wi-Fi hotspot is also available. To activate desired features, you might need to make additional purchases. After that, you’ll need to manage them on the My BMW app.
If you own an X3 for the first three years or 36,000 miles, BMW will provide free scheduled maintenance.
A 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC costs between $43,850 and $85,600, not including a $1,005 destination fee, if you’re in the market for one. Mercedes provides both normal and “coupe” body types for its small premium SUV. Both are 5-seater, 4-door utility vehicles, but the GLC Coupe is pricier and has a more svelte, curved roofline. (BMW sells it as a separate vehicle and offers a similar feature in the X4)
The 2022 Mercedes GLC comes in three different variants. The GLC 300, a 4-cylinder turbocharged vehicle, comes first. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but you can upgrade to 4Matic AWD for $2,000 more (AWD is standard on the GLC 300 Coupe). Customers seeking more thrill should consider the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43, which comes standard with 4Matic AWD and a turbo V6 engine.
The BMW X3 M’s major competition is the high-performance 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63, which sits at the top of the lineup. It comes in ordinary and somewhat hotter S states of tune and features a turbocharged V8 engine under the hood. Previously only available in a coupe body style, the GLC 63 is now offered in both the standard SUV and coupe body types for 2022.
Every 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC includes a free, three-year subscription to the Mercedes me connect network of linked services. Remote access, emergency assistance, quick access to roadside services, and Wi-Fi are among the features that are comparable to those on the BMW. A warning will be sent if another car strikes your GLC while it is parked thanks to a parking damage detection system.
Scheduled maintenance is not provided without charge by Mercedes. Instead, customers can buy prepaid plans from the provider.
What does X3 in a BMW mean?
Based on the BMW 3 Series chassis, the BMW X3 is a small, luxury crossover SUV that has been produced by the German carmaker BMW since 2003. The crossover, now in its third generation, is marketed by BMW as a sports activity vehicle, the term the brand uses exclusively to describe its X-line luxury automobiles.
The first-generation X3 was created by BMW and Magna Steyr of Graz, Austria, who also produced every X3 under BMW’s direction. The second-generation BMW X3 was produced at BMW’s Spartanburg facility in South Carolina, USA. BMW South Africa’s Rosslyn plant, where the third-generation BMW X3 is made, underwent significant renovations in order to make room for the X3, which will eventually replace the firm’s long-running 3 Series production. A total of 76,000 units will be produced there each year.
It was regarded as the market’s first mid-size, high-end SUV. The X3 has only recently begun to compete with the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class, which has been renamed GLC-Class as of 2016. It currently occupies the space between the bigger X5 and X6 and the smaller X1 and X2.
Are BMW X3 vehicles dependable?
With a reliability rating of 2.5 out of 5, the BMW X3 is ranked 10th among luxury small SUVs. Poor ownership expenses are indicated by the $1,034 average yearly repair cost. You might make a few more trips to your BMW shop than usual because X3 repairs are more common.
Is a BMW X3’s insurance more expensive?
How Much Does a BMW X3 Insurance Policy Cost in Comparison to Other Cars? Compared to the ordinary car, the BMW X3 is relatively cheap to insure. According to data from MoneyGeek, a BMW X3’s annual insurance expenses are $1,274, which is $153 less than the cost of a typical vehicle.
Do BMW X3s need premium fuel?
No matter what model you have, BMW advises only using premium unleaded fuel. That’s not to say that your BMW won’t run on inferior fuel, but premium unleaded fuel will keep its quality over time, allowing you to constantly drive at peak performance.
Which Audi is the X3’s counterpart?
BMW X3 vs. Audi Q5. When comparing the 2.0-liter versions of the cars, you’ll discover that the Audi Q5 offers only marginally better city miles per gallon (mpg) and vehicle purchase price savings.