Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 78%

The BMW X3 is right at the premium end of the small-SUV scale, competing with the Land Rover Freelander 2.

It might not be as big as the BMW X5, but it has lots of mature features, and with BMW’s twin-turbocharged diesel engine under the bonnet its performance is unbelievable.

We drove one until it was dirtier than a Dakar rally racer to see what it’s like to live with.

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor

1. Looks

While the BMW X3 is some way off being the manufacturer’s best-looking product, you won’t be ashamed of having it outside your house. We found the front grille too fussy for our tastes, but the ‘halo’ headlights are a cool design feature, which add to its on-road presence. From the side and rear the X3 has a handsome shape which is boosted if you choose the M Sport body kit and lovely alloy wheels fitted to our test car.

7/10

2. Looks inside

A chunky leather steering wheel and solid gear selector give the X3 a positive feel from the driving seat. Comfortable seats trimmed in leather add an expensive feel too. Both front seats adjust in all directions, including lumber and thigh support, and we’d advise getting them set up before you set off, because the adjustment levers are tricky to use quickly.  The dashboard is clean cut and feels solid and precisely crafted.
 
7/10

3. Practicality

The BMW X3 has a big 480-litre boot, which can be increased in size to 1,560-litres by folding the rear seats down – although they won’t go completely flat. It’s possible to tow a braked trailer of up to 2,000kg. A roll-out boot cover hides shopping and valuables and keeps things looking neat and tidy. The rear is spacious for two adults, but the transmission tunnel makes things trickier for a middle passenger.

8/10

4. Ride and Handling

The X3 is very much aimed at on-road driving, and its suspension is very firm. Handling is excellent, with little body roll and keen grip. The trade-off is a hard ride which isn’t helped if you choose big alloy wheels and low profile tyres. It won’t shake your fillings out, but it’s more direct than the feel commonly associated with SUVs, and has a more sporting demeanour. Choose the standard, not sports, suspension set-up if you want a calmer ride. The six-speed automatic transmission works very well, rarely putting a foot wrong, and shifting smoothly and quickly.

8/10

5. Performance

The 3-litre twin-turbocharged diesel motor fitted in the 3.0sd is a sensational engine. Just ten years ago it would have been impossible to imagine a diesel car could ever accelerate so quickly or sound so good. With a distinctive engine note, not so far away from a burbling V8, the X3 surges from 0-62mph in just 6.6 seconds and has a top speed of 149mph. A small turbocharger works from just above tick over to give the engine good low-down pull, and then a larger turbocharger takes over to give the engine a second wind. The result is 286bhp and 428lb/ft of pulling power.

Also available is a 175bhp and 218bhp 2 and 3-litre diesel engine and a 218bhp and 272bhp 2.5 and 3-litre petrol engine.

10/10

6. Running Costs

While 32.5mpg and carbon dioxide emissions of 208g/km don’t make the X3 3.0sd the eco warrior’s choice, they are excellent for a two-tonne SUV with all the performance you could possibly need. An equally accelerative petrol SUV would be much thirstier, more of the time. It’s easy to consistently achieve more than 30mpg in the X3 3.0sd. It fits into tax band F with an annual cost of £210.

The low-powered diesel is the most frugal (43.5mpg and 172g/km of CO2) but it’s also the only model which feels sluggish on the road. The 2.5-litre petrol achieves 30.4mpg and 224g/km while the 3-litre returns 29.1mpg and 233g/km.

7/10

7. Reliability

As you would expect from BMW the X3 is a quality product with strong engines and few reported problems. Owners give it an excellent four-and-a-half star rating on user review site Drive the Debate.

9/10

8. Safety

In EuroNCAP crash testing the BMW X3 scored a respectable four stars out of five for adult occupant protection. It has front, side and curtain airbags and ABS and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) to help prevent skids.

7/10

9. Equipment

Cruise control, trip computer, climate control, tyre puncture warning, CD player, parking distance sensors and a leather steering wheel are all standard. You’ll need to pay extra for Sat Nav (£1,595), Bluetooth telephone preparation (£385), leather upholstery (£1,190) and Xenon headlights (£455).

7/10

10. X-Factor

If you want a smart SUV which can show a hot hatch a set of clean heals on the motorway, while achieving more than 30mpg, the X3 3.0sd M-Sport will put a big smile on your face.

8/10

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