2023 BMW X3

　　

2023 BMW X3 Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　, rating written byCameron RogersSenior Manager, Written Content

　　Brent Romans has worked in the automotive industry since 1996. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Brent is a senior manager of written content at zzdcar and previously contributed to publications such as Super Street and Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. His personal car is a 2019 BMW M2 Competition, which he bought for its ideal combination of performance, style and practicality.

　　The X3 is BMW's best-selling vehicle, hot off a midcycle refresh for the 2022 model year. The venerable small luxury SUV is plenty sporty and fun to drive, and it offers reasonable storage and fuel economy as a five-seater, two-row vehicle. The X3 sits between the compact X1 and the larger X5, which offers optional three-row seating.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 BMW X3 sDrive30i 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$184/mo  for X3 sDrive30i

　　X3 sDrive30i

　　sDrive30i 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $45,400 MSRPxDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $47,400 MSRPM40i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $59,950 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　2022 brought a number of changes to the X3, including updated styling, a streamlined trim lineup and an upgraded user interface. Given the breadth of adjustments made for last year's refresh, it comes as no surprise that the 2023 X3 carries forward relatively unchanged.

　　The X3 competes in a crowded landscape and fares well as a capable all-arounder in a small luxury SUV class that's topped by the zzdcar Top Rated Genesis GV70, Acura RDX and Porsche Macan. The outgoing Mercedes-Benz GLC was also highly regarded, and we have high expectations for the new iteration due out this year.

　　

What's it like to live with?

The BMW X3 is the best-selling vehicle in the German manufacturer's fleet. We were curious what it's like to own, so added one to our long-term test fleet. This is where we drive and evaluate a vehicle for a year to find out what it's like in the real world. Check out our experiences with our BMW X3 xDrive30i. Note that while we tested a 2021 model, our impressions apply to the 2023 X3 as well.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the X3 drive? We tested the X3 xDrive30i. Around town, the eight-speed transmission smartly keeps the four-cylinder engine right in the heart of its power delivery. The high 6-second 0-60 mph result we recorded should be quick enough for most people. The brakes are strong for panic stops and easy to control in typical driving.

　　Around turns, the X3 provides composed and enjoyable handling that's often associated with BMW. Alas, the steering is typical of a modern BMW too. It's too easy to turn the wheel in the Comfort setting, making it a little imprecise. The Sport mode provides additional heft and quickness, but there's still not a whole lot of feel coming through the wheel.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the X3? The front seats deliver the comfort and support needed for long stints at the wheel. A wide range of adjustments ensure a good fit for almost everyone. On bumpy roads, our test X3 had a fairly busy ride quality, which we partially attribute to it being outfitted with the optional Dynamic Handling package. The solid level of control means you feel impacts, but they don't reverberate through the cabin or bounce your head around.

　　At idle, it's so silent that you'll want to check the tachometer to see if the engine is running. There's a little bit of wind noise from the driver's side window at freeway speeds. Engine noise is pronounced under moderate to hard acceleration, but it's not unpleasant.

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