2021 BMW X3 Review

　　

2021 BMW X3 Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　The 2021 BMW X3 is a well-rounded small luxury SUV. Whether it's practicality, safety, comfort, technology or performance you're interested in, the X3 delivers. It's a mainstay of BMW's lineup, giving you more room than the X1 and X2 while keeping the price reasonable compared to the larger X5. For 2021, the X3 receives more standard features, including some advanced safety systems, as well as Android Auto smartphone integration. These additions certainly help the X3's desirability. For our in-depth take, check out the details of our Expert Rating on the 2021 X3.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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

　　$176/mo  for X3 sDrive30i

　　X3 sDrive30i

　　sDrive30i 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $43,000 MSRPxDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $45,000 MSRPxDrive30e 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $49,600 MSRPM40i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $56,600 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　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-side window at freeway speeds. Engine noise is pronounced under moderate to hard acceleration, but it's not unpleasant.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The X3's cabin is spacious and smartly arranged. Most controls are immediately understandable. The large doors translate to big openings, and the sills are low enough so that you don't have to step up into the cabin. Various driver's seat and steering wheel adjustments ensure all instrumentation is easily in view. There's plenty of headroom for all passengers, while foot- and legroom are adequate for even tall passengers.

　　A tall roof means large windows all around, so there's a good view outside no matter where you look. Cleverly, the rear headrests are short so they don't cut into your view through the rearview mirror. The large side mirrors and optional blind-spot monitoring make lane changes safe and easy.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The combination of touchscreen and dial controls makes exploring infotainment menus a breeze. The nav system is easy to use and the graphics are tack-sharp, although voice commands offer limited usefulness. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is included.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? Generous cargo space and plentiful interior storage options make the X3 a versatile SUV. There's a healthy 28.7 cubic feet behind the second row, which can easily be lowered from release handles in the rear, revealing 62.7 cubic feet of space. The door pockets are large and numerous, and we like the small compartment to the left of the steering wheel.

　　Car seat attachments are easy to access, and there's plenty of space for large child seats. The X3 can tow up to 4,400 pounds when it's equipped with the optional 2-inch receiver that includes seven- and four-pin connectors. We laud the capacity, which is among the best in the small luxury SUV category.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA rates the X3 xDrive30i at 26 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is an average number for a luxury SUV with a base engine. Still, our X3 beat that rating both on our standardized 115-mile evaluation route (27.7 mpg) and throughout its two-week test period (26.2 mpg average). An impressive result.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the X3 a good value? Though the interior lacks the aesthetic appeal of some competitors, the quality is evident. Gaps are tight and uniform, and the switches and controls feel solid. The X3's pricing structure and feature availability line up squarely against the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC. A bit of an advantage comes from a few ownership perks, such as a longer free scheduled maintenance period.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　Despite being a small SUV, the X3 relays driving excitement through its steering, handling and engine sound. These attributes make it a bit more entertaining to snake up a mountain road or barrel through a freeway on-ramp than some other vehicles in the segment. The X3 has an instantly recognizable shape that looks somewhat like a miniature X5, and that's a good thing. But we're less enthusiastic about the interior, which lacks the richness found in rivals.

　　

Which X3 does zzdcar recommend?

The standard X3 sDrive30i is plenty powerful and capable for the vast majority of drivers. For those in colder climates, upgrading to the all-wheel-drive xDrive30i might be a worthwhile expense. The powerful M40i model could be a consideration for the rare SUV shopper seeking an overabundance of performance.

　　

2021 BMW X3 models

The 2021 BMW X3 is available in four trim levels that are primarily based on engine choices, The sDrive30i and xDrive30i both receive a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (248 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) while the M40i gets a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (382 hp, 365 lb-ft of torque). An eight-speed automatic drives the rear wheels on the sDrive30i, and all-wheel-drive is included with the xDrive30i and M40i. The xDrive30e hybrid variant is covered in a separate review.

　　The sDrive30i and xDrive30i share the same features list with highlights that include:

　　Power-folding heated mirrors Auto-dimming mirrors Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the vehicle when parking) Power liftgateInside, you'll find:

　　Tri-zone automatic climate control Simulated leather upholstery Remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app Wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone integration 10.25-inch central touchscreen Navigation system Wi-Fi hotspot 12-speaker audio systemStandard advanced safety features include:

　　Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Frontal collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)The more powerful M40i further adds:

　　Unique interior and exterior styling elements Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Higher-performance tires Sport suspension Upgraded brakes Keyless entry Panoramic sunroof Digital gauge cluster display Integrated navigation system Android Auto smartphone integrationSome of the M40i's features are available on the 30i as options. Other add-ons include:

　　Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Automated parking system Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Leather upholstery Heated steering wheel Heated front and rear seats Ventilated front seats Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield) Trailer hitch Rear side-window shades Premium Harman Kardon audio system Wireless charging pad

　　

2021 X3 Highlights

Type: SUVPlug-in HybridM40iSUV

　　Trim: sDrive30ixDrive30ixDrive30eM40isDrive30i

　　

Base MSRP	$43,000
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	27 MPG
Cost to Drive	$176/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	28.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles