2025 BMW X3 M50 xDrive overview

The brand new-generation BMW X3 lineup is right here, and the range-topping variant is the X3 M50 xDrive.

This six-cylinder sweetheart is essentially the most highly effective model within the mid-size premium SUV mannequin vary – for now, not less than – and it’s additionally the costliest.

So is it price contemplating? And does it supply ‘M’ ranges of efficiency for the worth? Learn on and discover out. 

How a lot does the BMW X3 value?

The flagship BMW X3 M50 xDrive isn’t low cost, nevertheless it does supply a fairly spectacular worth for cash equation should you’re in search of a six-cylinder super-SUV.

To see how the BMW X3 stacks up towards the competitors, try our comparability device

What’s the BMW X3 like on the within?

The brand new-generation X3 is an enormous step up when it comes to inside design and end in comparison with the earlier mannequin. 

The final one was fairly good, however this? In a whole lot of methods, it appears to be like and feels genuinely premium… besides, I observed a few ill-fitting plastics across the console, and there was a little bit of criticism across the materials finishes extra usually.

Is it a $130k automobile inside? Properly, I believe it’s fairly good, however perhaps not so good as it needs to be for that type of money.

The design is neat although, with a extremely massive give attention to lighting and tech because the mainstays of this cabin therapy, and if that’s your factor, it’s received that bling.

There’s a head-up show, which is superb, and a completely digital instrument cluster with a great deal of menu controllability. You possibly can handle it by way of the steering wheel buttons – simply notice that the shiny end on these controls can look a bit grubby over time.

I’m not an enormous fan of the reflective surfaces, however functionality-wise, every little thing’s the place you’d anticipate.

You’ve additionally received cruise management and paddle shifters, together with a Increase paddle that delivers most energy when held down. It’s fairly enjoyable to make use of, let me let you know.

There’s additionally a 14.9-inch touchscreen media system which helps wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus it has a heap of built-in capabilities, together with cloud-based satellite tv for pc navigation.

The system is filled with menus, a few of which you’ll be able to unlock by subscriptions for extras like Audible, YouTube, and extra. It’s fairly intuitive general, although some options may take a little bit of studying, and I nonetheless discovered it a bit complicated for a few of the issues I needed to see rapidly, like a visit laptop show (which, until I’m fallacious, can’t be proven up on the driving force data display!).

There’s additionally a drive recorder (although you’ll have to be logged in to entry it), a favorites tab, and a just lately used panel for faster navigation. Local weather management is dealt with by a fan button that opens up additional settings, together with air route and pace, so yeah, in that manner it’s like a whole lot of new vehicles with menus on menus to regulate easy issues, however there’s a voice management system that appears to get it proper most of the time.

Surprisingly, the air flow system is among the highlights. You get haptic sliders for fan pace and toggles for vent route. It’s a clear, intelligent design. Even the door-mounted vents have contact controls and regulate the airflow route with motorised fins.

Open the door, and also you’ll discover extra considerate particulars: illuminated controls, reminiscence seat settings, and even light-up hazard indicators built-in into the door and sprint trim. It’s spectacular and provides a futuristic, high-end really feel.

You possibly can possibility a textile dashboard constructed from recycled supplies, however even the usual soft-touch end feels refined. The seats are trimmed in high-quality artificial leather-based. Convincing, gentle, and comfy – and in order for you actual leather-based, you may get it for an additional payment.

The entrance seats are electrically adjustable, heated, and embody driver reminiscence settings as customary.

There’s a centre console space BMW calls the ‘jewelry field’, which features a wi-fi cellphone charger, a second cellphone pad, USB ports, and twin cupholders.

You’ll additionally discover an iDrive controller, which is a bit old-school perhaps, nevertheless it’s an important different to the touchscreen for navigating menus. The one draw back is the shiny end, which is a fingerprint magnet.

You’ll admire that there’s a quantity dial, drive mode selector, and quick-access buttons on your automobile settings. Swap to Sport mode, and the cabin lighting, instrument show, and even the character of the automobile change. It’s a small contact that makes an enormous distinction.

There’s additionally a shortcut to automobile settings, the place you may disable lane-keeping help or regulate driving traits. 

The central-screen digicam system is improbable, providing a number of views, together with 3D mode, automobile wash alignment, and a reversing assistant. It’s genuinely among the best techniques I’ve used. And it has the Reversing Assistant characteristic, which may again the automobile out of a scenario you’ve pushed into, should you’re not assured you’ll be capable to do it (there’s as much as 50m of reversing potential!).

You’ve received a toggle-style gear selector, digital park brake, idle begin/cease button, a good centre console bin, and a reasonably spacious glovebox. The door pockets simply accommodate massive bottles.

Up prime, there are illuminated vainness mirrors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, SOS name button, inside digicam, and your overhead mild controls. All of it feels well designed and fairly posh.

Now, to the again seats. With the driving force’s seat set to my driving place (I’m 182cm/6’0” tall), there was first rate foot room, and the scalloped seatbacks assist with knee house, nevertheless it’s not the roomiest again seat within the phase. Headroom was additionally a little bit tighter than anticipated.

However when it comes to options, it’s wonderful for households. You get seize handles, coat hooks, overhead lights, map pockets, and air flow with trendy controls. Rear local weather settings and USB-C ports are there, too. 

There’s a massive transmission tunnel, so squeezing three adults throughout could be a problem. However you do get ISOFIX youngster seat anchors on the window seats, three top-tether factors, and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. The door pockets are massive, and the doorways have gentle padded trim, holding issues comfy and premium-feeling.

The boot is greater this time round, too.

There’s 570 litres of cargo capability within the new-gen X3 with the rear seats up (20L greater than the final model) and that expands to 1700L with the seats folded down (up 100L in comparison with earlier than).

A bonus factor to notice is the rear seat has a 40:20:40-split folding design, so you can also make the house extra useable than in another autos on this phase. There are quite a few procuring bag hooks, a 12V port, storage netting and good lighting within the cargo zone. 

There is no such thing as a spare wheel, although. Only a tyre restore package, regardless of the actual fact there’s a space-saver-style form within the boot space. 

To see how the BMW X3 stacks up towards the competitors, try our comparability device

What’s below the bonnet?

As I’ve made clear, this one is the six-cylinder variant within the vary, with petrol energy and a complete heap of horses.

There’s a way more inexpensive four-cylinder variant (the X3 20) with rear-wheel drive, and the mid-range plug-in hybrid X3 30e is a stunning car too, and it has AWD should you want it. However this one is a honey. 

Nonetheless, it’s additionally the thirstiest model within the vary, with a claimed official mixed gas consumption determine of 8.2L/100km. On check, I noticed above that – with a mixture of driving returning a still-respectable 9.3L/100km. 

It wants premium 98-octane unleaded, in order that’ll add to the working prices, and the gas tank capability is 65 litres.

To see how the BMW X3 stacks up towards the competitors, try our comparability device

How does the BMW X3 drive?

The straight-six turbo-petrol engine within the M50 is a cracker, with an enormous quantity of shove and a few critical theatre to it, too.

There’s a stunning engine notice, and it amasses pace with such effortlessness that you’ll want to be conscious of your licence. It’s severely quick.

What I like concerning the drive expertise within the extra aggressive drive modes is that the assertiveness of the transmission when it upshifts is improbable. It’s a really involving expertise, and correctly forceful. 

You possibly can take issues into your individual arms if you wish to, in fact. There’s a set of paddle shifters however, actually, I don’t suppose you want them.

This eight-speed auto is a winner. It’s so predictable and good in the best way it shifts – and speedy, too. I actually, actually like this powertrain.

The M50 does have adaptive M suspension to set it aside, and it feels tremendous sporty in the best way it behaves. It’s not essentially punishing in its firmness, nevertheless it’s rather less forgiving over sharp edges and bumpy bits.

That is significantly noticeable round city, the place it could really feel a little bit bouncy over bumps and lumps within the street, and pogo-ey by slow-speed, offset intersection moments.

The steering is superb, too – it has a little bit of a weighty really feel, nevertheless it’s not too heavy, and it’s very manoeuvrable in low-speed conditions as effectively. There’s no foolish all-wheel steering right here, both, so it’s a extra pure and pure drive than some rivals.

You possibly can actually really feel the rear-bias of this powertrain. It undoubtedly eggs you on, and definitely lives as much as the notion of it being an M-Lite automobile.

It brakes fantastically as effectively, with constructive and pleasurable responsiveness, and you may actually belief the pedal motion on this car. It’s tuned to be enthusiastic, nevertheless it’s not overbearingly sporty.

The one actual draw back is that, on nation roads or over actually coarse-chip surfaces like some elements of the M4 motorway in Sydney, it may be a bit loud inside. Sports activities over luxurious, in that occasion, then.

To see how the BMW X3 stacks up towards the competitors, try our comparability device

What do you get?

Right here’s a rundown of the usual gear throughout all three grades presently accessible within the G45-series BMW X3 lineup.

2025 BMW X3 20 xDrive gear highlights:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Run-flat tyres
• M Sport bundle
• Adaptive suspension
• Adaptive LED headlights
• BMW Iconic Glow illuminated kidney grille
• Acoustic glazing
• Energy tailgate
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes Working System 9
• BMW Clever Private Assistant
• BMW Digital Premium (90-day trial)
• Distant software program updates
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• Six-speaker sound system
• Wi-fi cellphone charger
• Head-up show
• Tri-zone local weather management
• Anti-dazzle exterior and inside mirrors
• Consolation Entry and Digital Key Plus
• M Sport leather-based steering wheel
• Anthracite M headliner
• Veganza upholstery
• Energy-adjustable entrance seats
• Heated entrance seats

X3 30e xDrive provides:

• Fastened panoramic glass sunroof
• Curler blinds for rear facet home windows
• Heated steering wheel
• Ventilated entrance seats
• Heated outboard rear seats

X3 M50 xDrive provides:

• 21-inch alloy wheels
• Metallic paint
• M-specific kidney, mirror caps and aerodynamic parts
• Quad exhaust shops
• M Sport Professional bundle
  • Excessive-gloss Shadowline with prolonged contents
  • Radiator grille body and struts
  • Tail mild trim detailing
  • Tailpipe trims
  • M Lights Shadow Line
  • M Sport brakes with crimson calipers (blue additionally accessible)
  • M seatbelts
• M braking system with crimson calipers
• Privateness glass
• M Shadowline headlights and prolonged contents
• 15-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system
• M seatbelts

In the event you’re procuring as much as this grade, you may also accessorise it a bit, with a selection of some totally different wheel finishes, inside trims and extra. The towing bundle prices $2200.

To see how the BMW X3 stacks up towards the competitors, try our comparability device

Is the BMW X3 protected?

There’s nonetheless no security score from Euro NCAP or ANCAP for the new-generation BMW X3.

Nonetheless, it has a bunch of ordinary security know-how and gear, together with the next highlights:

• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian
  • Bike owner
  • Junction
  • Evasive help
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane departure warning
• Steering and Lane Management Assistant
• Adaptive cruise management with cease and go
• Encompass-view digicam
• Parking assistant
• Reverse Assistant
• Drive recorder
• Tyre stress monitoring system

Different tech features a pace signal recognition system, however fortunately it’s not irritating, and neither is a lot of the energetic security tech, making this a quite agreeable car to reside with.

To see how the BMW X3 stacks up towards the competitors, try our comparability device

How a lot does the BMW X3 value to run?

BMW Australia provides a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

The German model doesn’t have set service intervals for its fashions; as a substitute its autos have ‘condition-based upkeep’ necessities, that means the automobile will let you know when it’s time for a service.

Usually, you may financial institution on it being yearly or so, and there’s a five-year/80,000km pay as you go service bundle you may select, for $2475.

The X3 comes with three years of roadside help included for free of charge, too.

To see how the BMW X3 stacks up towards the competitors, try our comparability device

CarExpert’s Tackle the BMW X3

There is no such thing as a doubt the BMW X3 M50 xDrive is a dynamic and joyous factor to drive in the appropriate scenario, and it’s the type of SUV that encourages you to go and discover that scenario, too. 

Greater than only a family-friendly luxurious SUV, it’s a enjoyable one. And I believe it’s effectively well worth the cash for somebody who’s in search of precisely that.

Desirous about shopping for a BMW X3? Let CarExpert discover you one of the best deal right here

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