2024 BMW X3 SUV

　　

2024 BMW X3 Review

byAlex NishimotoCorrespondent

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　, rating written byAlex NishimotoSenior 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 BMW X3 is a small luxury SUV positioned between the X1 and X5 in the Bavarian automaker's lineup. It offers seating for five and strikes a careful balance of sportiness, comfort and utility. If you like the interior design and tech features of your 3 Series sedan but need more space for road trips, chances are you'll like the X3. BMW updated the X3 in 2022, and the SUV soldiers on into 2024 mostly unchanged.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 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) - $46,900 MSRPxDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $48,900 MSRPM40i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $61,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Engines and mpg

Two engines are available for the X3: a turbocharged four-cylinder with 248 horsepower and a turbocharged inline-six with 382 horsepower. The more powerful engine available in the X3 M40i is tempting for its addictive acceleration, but the base turbo-four should provide more than adequate thrust for most. In our testing, an all-wheel-drive X3 xDrive30i had a high 6-second showing in the sprint to 60 mph, which is respectable for an SUV weighing more than 4,000 pounds. Additionally, the four-cylinder X3 recorded better fuel economy numbers than its EPA-estimated rating of 24 mpg combined in our real-world testing.

　　

Competitors to consider

The X3 competes with other small luxury SUVs, including the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5, Genesis GV70 and Acura RDX. You might also consider similarly sized fastback SUVs, including the mechanically similar BMW X4, which trades rear cargo space for a sleeker roofline. Find out how the X3 stacks up to its key competitors by reading our Expert Rating below.

　　

What’s it like to live with?

When BMW redesigned the X3 in 2022, we bought one for our long-term test fleet to find out how the Bavarian brand's best-selling model holds up after one year. Though the popular SUV has changed slightly over the years, our impressions still apply to the current 2024 model. See how our editors liked living with our X3 xDrive30i.

　　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. The wide range of adjustments ensures 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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below