BMW X3
With all of the recent brouhaha surrounding the BMW electric iX3, it’d be easy to forget that the Munich brand still make the none-i X3, complete with internal combustion engines. Well, they do, it’s BMW’s biggest seller worldwide, and they come as either a PHEV, a pure petrol version and even, shock-horror, the diesel version we have here.
The next-gen X3 is widely anticipated to adopt the iX3’s Neue Klasse styling, with its far less swollen kidney-grille air intakes and full width light-bar. For now, though, the X3’s ‘face’ features larger, illuminated near-vertical grilles flanked by some pretty severe headlights complete with hockey stick DRLs.
X3 vs original X5
In terms of size, the X3 sits somewhere in the middle of the BMW SUV range, with the XM, X7, X6 & X5 all comfortably larger. That’s not to say this 4th-gen X3 is small, though. At 4,755mm by 1,920mm, it’s a good few cm bigger than the original X5, and we all thought that was a behemoth when it was launched.
There’s therefore plenty of room for five proper adults inside the X3, plus their luggage. There’s no 7-seat option, you’d need big-brother X5 for that, but even with your 5 comfortably seated adults, the X3’s boot will swallow an impressive 570 litres, assuming your X3 isn’t a PHEV which sacrifices 110 litres. Put the rear seats down and that carrying capacity is a massive 1,700 litres. Not only that but, being an SUV, the boot is a nice, square shape and the boot floor is flat with some useful storage underneath.
Three engines, and one’s a diesel!
Back to those engines. There’s a choice of three engines, regardless of whether you opt for entry-level xLine trim or M Sport. The plug-in hybrid is the cleanest engine, and it’s the fastest but it’s also the most expensive at around £5k more than the pure petrol. You do, of course, get the added bonus of 52-54 miles of electric only range and BMW is usually pretty accurate with those numbers. On the downside, you lose that boot space we mentioned thanks to the electrical gubbins.
But what we have here is neither the pure-petrol version or the PHEV. BMW has decided to continue to offer a diesel engine, in this case their 2.0 litre, four-cylinder unit which provides 197bhp. And what an engine it is. With the help of some 48v mild-hybrid assistance it’ll return around 46-48mpg, 0-62mph takes 7.7s and it emits 154-160g/km CO2, spec dependent. What’s interesting about those emission figures is that the equivalent mild-hybrid petrol X3 emits a shade more at 156-163g/km so that’s a little victory for the diesel lovers.
Impressive range
With a full tank of fuel, this X3’s range was a claimed 606 miles, and we actually found that to be accurate, even with the heated seats and steering wheel fending off a British winter; another reminder of why we fell in love with diesel, there.
What an engine
Economy and cleanliness aren’t all of this 2.0l diesel’s story, though. Even from a cold start the lack of noise and vibrations is almost unworldly; you’d genuinely be hard pressed to tell it’s not a petrol engine. This story continues with the way it drives as it belies the fact it’s only got four cylinders. It’s so smooth and unruffled you’d be more likely to believe it’s a six-cylinder. Add to all of this its 400Nm torque and it’s hard to look past the diesel engined X3s.
Inside the X3 is a visual feast of touchscreens and light bars, but thankfully the rotary control and a few other actual knobs and switches live on. One unnecessary bit of tech is the touch-sensitive heater controls on the doors; a traditional system would have more than sufficed here.
All lit up
BMW’s put some real thought into their operating system and it’s one of the easiest to navigate and live with. The light bars that surround most of the cabin change colour to reflect the mood. They’re not the most subtle and could be described as a bit gimmicky to be honest, especially if you need to operate the hazard warning lights and the whole cabin flashes along in time.
Should I buy an X3?
Despite the emergence of a whole series of electric models there’s a good reason why the X3 is BMW’s most popular car. It’s big enough for most families unless you need seven seats, it’s relatively subtle, it’s got one of the most car-like drives an SUV can offer and it feels premium like a BMW should. The Neue Klasse is going to changes things massively and could well spell the end of these powertrains, especially this diesel but for now it’s available and utterly brilliant.
By Ben Harrington
2026 BMW X3 20d xDrive M Sport Specifications:
Engine – 2.0l 4-cylinder diesel hybrid, Transmission – 8-speed auto, Layout – Front engine, AWD, Power – 197bhp,Torque -400Nm, Emissions – 154-160g/km CO2, Economy – 46-48mpg combined, Maximum Speed – 132mph, Acceleration – 7.7s – 0-62mph, Price – £56,340 OTR
The BMW X3 is available now, priced from £53,305. For full details go to:www.bmw.co.uk
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