The BMW X3 on paper seems like the complete package of a compact SUV. It is fast, reliable and quite comfortable to commute around the city or go on a cross country trip with. Even though the X3 is a mid-range offered by the German manufacturer, the amount of flamboyant options in the car is plenty. Keep reading to find out more.

Design

The classic BMW grille shape and size have been made sharper. The car also contains a hidden front camera for driving aid. The overall design of the X3 is angular, with lines through the middle of the bonnet giving it that German 'Sport' SUV aura.

The housing is slimmer and wider compared to last year's model and also features new lighting components, including optional laser light detection. The rear fascia has also been re-iterated for the current generation as the car received redesigned tail LED lights and a dual exhaust system with no gimmicky fake outlets.

Interior

Jump inside the X3 and you will immediately be greeted with the big 10.4'' infotainment touchscreen present in the middle of the centre console. The seats are soft, with Sensatec synthetic leather soft-touch trim pieces. The seats on the front are ten-ways adjustable including the bolsters on the side.

The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay, AndroidAuto and Amazon Alexa Integration. When it comes to audio, the X3 has a superb surround sound system with great low-end sound.

It is very spacious on the back, with ample headroom. There's also climate control alongside two USB-C ports. The rear seats are foldable as well, being fully retractable at the front to increase boot space.

The boot in the BMW X3 is around 650L without the seats folded. But since our test vehicle was a plug-in hybrid version, there's a compromise of 100L because the batteries for the electric motor are stored at the back. Thus, the car has around 550L of storage space and around 1600L with the seats completely folded.

Driving the X3

Everything is well visible and the panoramic sunroof makes the experience even more comforting. The speedometer screen has also been upgraded to a completely digital gauge, where it shows various info about the car alongside the essentials.

The throttle response and the handling are great. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 in under 6.1 seconds. The car can also be driven under various modes which can help the driver either go fast or save the most fuel possible.

When you put the car on sport mode though, engine noise can be heard - not through the exhaust pipes but from the speakers. Apart from that, the regenerative braking is prominent in the X3. As soon as you lift your foot from the throttle, the regenerative braking takes over and automatically brakes the car. This does feel a bit restrictive but the car can take speed bumps easily. The car can also be driven in full- EV mode until 120 km/h.

Specifications

The test car we had came with a 2L four-cylinder turbocharged hybrid system paired with an 8-speed gear, capable of 292 kW of power and 420 Nm of combined torque. It also came with 19'' wheels with Pirelli Cinturato all-purpose summer tires. Test mule provided by Executive Motors, the only official BMW dealer in Bangladesh.

Verdict

The BMW X3 is a great entry-level luxury compact SUV. Driving the car feels great and the speakers are in a class of their own. The car would feel a bit better if the adaptive regenerative braking system can be turned off or at least decrease the intensity of the braking. But other than that, there are no complaints.

Photo credit: Ahbaar Milky