Boasting greater sporting appeal, visual impact, and versatility than ever, the new BMW X3 redefines the all-rounder for everyday use, leisure activities, and trips away. The fourth generation Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) showcases a bold new design language, enhancing its exterior presence and dynamic elegance. Inside, high-quality materials, generous standard features, advanced digitalisation, and the new BMW iDrive with QuickSelect powered by BMW Operating System 9 create a premium ambience. The new BMW X3 also excels in driving pleasure, safety, and long-distance comfort, thanks to its meticulously tuned setup and comprehensive suite of semi-automated driving and parking systems.
The new BMW X3 heralds major improvements in efficiency and dynamic performance with its wide-ranging model line-up. The portfolio of powertrains comprises not just highly efficient petrol and diesel engines, but also a latest-generation plug-in hybrid system that enables the new BMW X3 30e xDrive (consumption, weighted and combined: 24.0 – 22.3 kWh/100 km and 256.8 – 313.9 mpg; CO2 emissions, weighted and combined: 26 – 21 g/km in WLTP cycle; fuel consumption with battery empty: 35.8 – 39.2 mpg in WLTP cycle; CO2 classes: with battery empty G – F; weighted and combined B) to achieve an electric range of 50 – 56 miles in the WLTP cycle. With a boost in power to 398 hp and dynamic performance capabilities that outclass its rivals, the new BMW X3 M50 xDrive M Performance model (fuel consumption, combined: 34.0 – 36.7 mpg; CO2 emissions, combined: 189 – 175 g/km in WLTP cycle; CO2 class(es) G – F) presents a compelling proposition.
A new design language for the BMW X3 exterior helps to give the fourth generation model a distinctive character while retaining typical BMW X model proportions. Generously proportioned surfaces combine with just a few, crisply defined lines result in a clearly structured exterior design that has been reduced to the essentials. The new BMW X3 is 34 millimetres longer than its predecessor at 4,755 millimetres, while width has increased by 29 millimetres to 1,920 millimetres. Together with the 25‑millimetre drop in vehicle height to 1,660 millimetres and the wider tracks, this produces a very powerful and sporty look.
The large BMW kidney grille in the upright front end of the new BMW X3 gives off an air of assured presence. A new structure for the grille interior, comprising vertically and diagonally arranged bars, adds a fresh touch. BMW Iconic Glow contour lighting forms a continuous line around each element of the grille and is fitted as standard on the M50 model and optionally available across the wider range. The daytime driving lights, side lights and turn signal indicators in the LED headlights are now all produced by L-shaped, overlapping light sources. Adaptive LED Headlights with non-dazzling matrix high beam, urban light and cornering light functions, plus blue design detailing are optionally available, as are M Shadowline lights.
Bold side skirts and a roofline extending deep into the rear end are the distinguishing features of the new model’s sporty silhouette. The prominently flared wheel arches create the impression of considerable width at the rear. The flush-mounted rear window is bordered by a long roof spoiler and the adjoining side air deflectors. All model variants aside from the BMW X3 M50 xDrive come with exhaust tailpipes integrated out of sight in the rear apron. The fresh interpretation of the characteristic T-shaped graphic and a horizontal bar with integral turn signal indicators help to give the rear lights a very modern appearance.
There is a choice of one solid and eight metallic shades for the exterior paintwork of the new BMW X3, including the new Dune Grey metallic finish. Models produced at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg will additionally be available with BMW Individual paint finishes, including two matt shimmering Frozen options, as well as over 15 BMW Individual special paint finishes.
The new BMW X3 xLine models are equipped as standard with 18 inch light-alloy wheels (BMW X3 30e xDrive: 19 inches), with a selection of 20-inch and 21-inch items also available as factory-fitted options. Meanwhile, M Sport models creates an exceptionally dynamic look with features such as 19-inch M light-alloy wheels and bespoke design cues for optimising airflow and aerodynamic balance. The M Sport Pro package builds on this content by adding, among other things, the Iconic Glow contour lighting and M Sport brakes with red-painted callipers.
The new BMW X3 cabin blends robust SAV functionality with ample spaciousness and a premium ambience full of individual style. The BMW Curved Display, BMW Interaction Bar, steering wheels with a flat-bottomed rim and the new-look gear selector lever are the defining elements of the cockpit’s modern take on hallmark BMW driver-focused design. Other model-specific highlights include light elements in a contrasting colour in the centre console and door trims. This new design feature is located towards the front of the driver’s and front passenger doors, where it forms a border around function buttons, ventilation controllers, air vents and the robust door openers typically found on BMW X models.
The interior’s individual ambience goes hand in hand with generous amounts of space and modern versatility. Load space can be increased from 570 to a maximum 1,700 litres (BMW X3 30e xDrive: 460 – 1,600 litres). A trailer coupling that extends and retracts again electrically can be specified as an option. The maximum permitted trailer load is 2,500 kilograms, depending on the model variant.
The new BMW X3 is fitted as standard with newly designed electrically adjustable and heated sport seats upholstered in Econeer, with surfaces and cushioning made from a secondary material. Veganza and BMW Individual Merino leather upholsteries are both available as an option. Making its debut for a BMW model is the optional Luxury instrument panel made from recycled polyester with a high-class knitted texture.
The range-topping model, the new BMW X3 M50 xDrive, features the most powerful six-cylinder in-line petrol engine yet fitted in an M Performance model. The 3.0-litre M TwinPower Turbo unit links up with 48V mild hybrid technology. Its maximum output of 398 hp is channelled to the road via an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. The BMW X3 M50 xDrive powers to 62 mph from rest in 4.6 seconds.
This stunningly potent powertrain combines with the bespoke chassis technology to deliver a compelling blend of agility, dynamism and handling precision. M Sport suspension with variable sport steering, M Sport brakes, 20-inch M light-alloy wheels and an M Sport differential integrated into the rear axle all come as standard. There is also the option of adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers. M-specific design features, the M kidney grille with horizontal bars and BMW Iconic Glow contour lighting, and the quartet of exhaust tailpipes all serve to underline the status of the BMW M model as the most powerful version of the new BMW X3.
48V mild hybrid technology, eight-speed Steptronic transmission and BMW xDrive all-wheel drive as standard.
48V mild hybrid technology is also fitted in all other variants of the new BMW X3, providing enhanced efficiency and rapid power delivery. It enables the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit in the new BMW X3 20 xDrive (fuel consumption, combined: 37.2 – 40.9 mpg; CO2 emissions, combined: 172 – 156 g/km in WLTP cycle; CO2 class: F) to generate maximum output of 208 hp. This translates into a 0 to 62 mph acceleration time of 7.8 seconds.
The four-cylinder diesel engine, also with a displacement of 2.0 litres, in the new BMW X3 20d xDrive (fuel consumption, combined: 43.5 – 48.7 mpg; CO2 emissions, combined: 171 – 153 g/km in WLTP cycle; CO2 classes: F – E) posts maximum output of 197 hp. The diesel model completes the 0 to 62 mph sprint in 7.7 seconds.
Priced from £46,800 RRP, with order books opening today and the first UK customer deliveries starting in the fourth quarter of 2024.
