BMW’s Made Some Ballsy Changes to Its Most Popular Car | Gear Patrol (2024)

Home / Motoring /

THE EXTERIOR: BOLD AND BLOCKY

BMW

Likethe 2024 X1, the 2025 BMW X3 is blockier than ever, with strong creases and edges running down the sides and across the rear hatch. It’s also slightly longer, wider and lower by roughly an inch across all three dimensions versus the outgoing model. The rear exhaust pipes are also now hidden in the baseline xDrive30.

But the new kidney grille will likely stand out most bystanders, at least on the baseline xDrive30.

The new design combines vertical and diagonal bars in a way that seems visually chaotic, at least at first glance. Going all in on the diagonal lines feels like it would have looked cleaner, but perhaps that was a bridge too far from the past.

Interestingly enough, the more expensive M50 variant grill skips the diagonal line addition in favor of a snaking pattern of horizontal bars shielded by what looks to be a plastic plate.

Overall, it’s also easy to spot the influence of the brand’s all-electric iX lurking in various exterior details, which, while generally acknowledged as being a competent electric SUV, has also been notably lampooned in headlines as “ugly,” “dull” and “weird.”

THE INTERIOR: LIGHTING GALORE

The new lighting system is impossible to ignore, for better or worse. Strips of LEDs now circle various sections of the center console, including passenger and driver door latches, lock buttons, and mirror controls. The cabin air vents also look to be banished out of site.

As with other newer BMWs, a massive dual-screen curved display replaces both the gauge cluster and central infotainment panel, as well as a few physical controls, much to almost every driver’s chagrin.

THE TECH: LOTS OF NEW TRICKS

BMW

One crucial physical control is sticking around in the X3. BMW states the X3 will run iDrive 9, which is different from iDrive versions and based on an Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software stack. Though the system initially debuted in the 2024 X1, what’s interesting about the X3 is that it still retains the classic physical control knob.According to INSIDEEVs, the X3 will be the only BMW to feature this configuration.

Buyers can also opt for theDigital Premium tier, which includes a data plan and access to entertainment apps like Spotify, podcasts, news, andin-car gaming. The pack also includes upgrades to the navigation system, such as 3D maps and satellite views.

On the safety front, forward collision mitigation, lane keep assist, and blind spot detection are all included. Parking assistant features are also now standard, including a backup assistant.

Higher-tier Parking Assistant Professional and Maneuvering Assistant packages provide the mid-sized SUV with more autonomous driving chops. Intrue Bond fashion, users can direct the vehicle into and out of tight spaces via the My BMW App. The packages also support storing up to 10 other custom driving maneuvers based on GPS and trajectory data, allowing the car to move up to 650 yards on its own, without or without the driver inside.

THE ENGINES: MODEST GAINS

BMW

There’s not too much to get excited about on this front, at least while fuel economy stats remain a mystery.

The xDrive30 features a turbocharged 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, which represent mild bumps of 7 and 37 over the previous generation X3. It’ll go from 0 – 60 mph in 6.0 seconds and boasts a top speed of 130 mph.

The premium M50 jumps to a turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line six, producing 393 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque, representing increases of 9 and 59. The 0-60 time, however, remains unchanged at 4.4 seconds.

Both engines also boastmild hybrid techand a slew of redesigned components ranging from intake ports to ignition, injection, and timing systems, all aimed at increasing efficiency.

THE PHEV ISn’T COMING TO THE US

BMW

For now, the plug-in hybrid X3 30e xDrive, also announced alongside the X3 xDrive30 and X3 M50 in Europe,won’t be coming to the US market, which is a travesty, and somewhat odd considering thatPHEV demand is growing significantly in the US.

Considering the performance gains BMW has introduced with the new X3 30e, it’s especially galling. Thanks to a significantly beefier battery pack, the car’s all-electric range is somewhere between 50 – 56 miles, dwarfing the previous’s 31-mile max. Charging speeds have also nearly tripled, allowing the battery to recharge in two hours and 15 minutes.

These changes together make the new 2025 X3 30e feel like an ideal compromise for mid-sized SUV buyers hoping to drive electrically locally while still having the flexibility of a traditional gas-powered engine for longer road trips.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

BMW

Related Topics