New BMW X3: Review

The explosive growth of the crossover SUV market was good for the bottom line of cars, but the real winner could simply be the consumer. Look at the current state of the compact-luxury-crossover segment, for example. Every significant premium brand now has an entry, and many of them are very interesting. This is a well-rounded Audi Q5, a spirit-rich Alfa Romeo Stelvio, a forward-designed Volvo XC60, a distinguished Mercedes-Benz GLC class, a Jaguar F-Pace sports car and a group car winning the 10 Best Porsche Macan.

Gladiators are in the third generation of the BMW X3. Bavarians were among the first to appear in this market when the original X3 took off in 2003, and this model has since been one of the strongest sellers in this class. The latest X3 has already made a huge impression on us thanks to its dynamic dynamics in the sporty six-cylinder form M40i, and now

we had the opportunity to test the four-cylinder version 30i directed at the heart of this crowded and disgusting segment.

Nimble with Quick

Even without the removal of the tweaks and the six-to-one, X3 remains a good driver. The latest B48 turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-diameter and power almost the whole BMW entry and here is a heart, using enthusiastically and slowly to touch a cool,  while X3 comes from its way, that it is almost impossible to define the turbo lag and prevent it from beginning to swiftly. A strong 31-mpg inventory of our 75-mph van (2 mpg than EPA's) is a good deal, too.

Help a team of red keys encourage you to look, and it's good for chassis to be fun. The water combination of water and feedback from the BMW feature is quite comprehensive here. Look at a high level (by our size, you sit at almost five inches [X3 inches] above the input process), we can go and call X3 more enthusiastically and music more than sedan games. There is a source of satisfaction for the supervisor, full support suspension and stability through the translators, and a solid and strong idea through strong agreement. These are the BMW issues we remember well.

Although our car had a Dynamic Handling package worth $ 1,400, which included M Sport brakes with variable steering and the adaptation dampers mentioned above (which may be available for $ 1,000 as an independent option), braking performance was a disappointment due to no bite from the pedal and a bit long at 175 feet stop distance from 70 mph.

Not looking

Unfortunately, the static proportions of X3 do not indicate his athleticism. Our test car, finished in neat Dark Olive Metallic, managed to blend in with the background and there was not much to distinguish it from its predecessor. Even in one of the more eye-catching color combinations or the optional additional visual aggression M Sport, we do not think that BMW offers anywhere near F-Pace, XC60 or Stelvio.

The advantage of the X3 box is, however, the extremely practical interior package. The spacious rear seat impresses with a large headroom and legroom, and the cargo space measures 29 cubic feet with all seats in place. In our X3 tests, it contained more suitcases than the Q5 or Macan, although our X3 was equipped with an additional spare tire that lifts the floor and steals a certain volume of cargo. The alternative is to go without a spare 150 USD and depends only on run-flat tires.

It costs extra

Inside the X3, nicely grained plastics, soft leather and tasteful wood finishes create a warm atmosphere, while digital displays in the cluster of indicators and the large i-Drive central screen look sharply and modern. It is true that many of our favorite interior items were expensive options that led to the test price of our X3 to a steep $ 57,820. Among them were USD 1,700 for leather upholstery and USD 6,150 for Convenience and Premium packages, which added features such as a panoramic roof window, a larger 10.3-inch i-Drive screen with navigation (standard screen with a diagonal of 6.5 inches), entry with a key proximity, display with head and heated steering wheel. We are almost sure that X3s closer to the starting price of $43 445 will not be so rich in the middle. We will also mention how absurd it is that the Apple Car-Play's ability is $ 300, but is standard for the $ 21,000 Volkswagen Golf or $ 14,000 for the Chevrolet Spark.

It is much easier, however, to avoid the characteristic injuries of BMW, when the dynamic dynamics of BMW are on board. The lively X3 is a hopeful sign that BMW has not forgotten how to satisfy its main offer with a special sauce that has built its reputation first. And, perhaps more importantly, BMW's ability to combine this pleasant and nostalgic nature with a practical and luxurious package makes the X3 one of the most fascinating entries in its highly contested segment. It costs extra.