The X3 is BMWs compact SUV offering in the Indian market. It is an entry level compact SUV that competes against the Audi Q5, Mercedes M Class and the Volvo XC90. The X3 has been in production since 2003 and is now in its second generation and is available in two diesel engine variants.
Design & Styling
The X3 has a bold yet elegant design for a small SUV. It looks premium from every angle and it also has a a bit of sporty flair. The front section is typical BMW with the kidney grille in chrome and the rectangular headlights and then the rear end is bulky but with strong straight lines. The car also comes with some very nice alloy rims and the traditional BMW shark fin on the roof. The car seems long but it is in fact under 5 metres in length making it a good city car as well.
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Interiors
The interiors are very plush and luxurious and there is lots of use of leather trim and premium wooden panels. The dashboard is setup very nice and the ergonomics for the driver are good. The steering wheel is also nice and the instrument cluster in plain view with nice illumination. There is lots of room for all passengers and plenty of storage compartments and spaces. Overall it is a very comfortable interior layout.
Engine & Transmission
The X3 comes with two diesel engine variants, the first is a 1995cc unit creating 184bhp and mated to an 8-speed automatic, the second is a larger 2993cc diesel unit creating 258bhp and also mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Both engines are very good and highly refined but obviously the larger engine gives better power performance.
Performance and Handling
The BMW X3 is a beautiful car to drive. We drove it around the city and also took it for trip to the Shimla and it performed extremely well. The xDrive30d obviously features a larger engine and so power delivery in impeccable and the engine can really make the heavy car move very fast. A 0-100kmph sprint can be achieved in just 6.2 seconds, and that is very enjoyable. The suspension setup is also magnificent and it does not matter if you are on the highway or bumpy roads, the X3 always drives without a fuss. The throttle response is very good and there is no lag at all from the engine, plus the gear changes are spot on, and the brakes also do their job wonderfully. The steering response is also superb and on curvy roads you will have a blast, if you are driving.
Fuel Efficiency
The X3 with the larger engine is capable of providing a fuel economy of around 12kmpl.
Features
The car comes equipped with power steering with mounted controls, power windows, a start/stop button, fully automatic air-conditioning, and BMW Connected Drive that includes Bluetooth, USB connectivity, a 22.3cm colour display, audio streaming, voice control, HiFi loudspeaker system, and navigation.
Safety
Safety features include airbags, ABS with Brake Assist, Runflat tyres, Stability control, traction control, electronic parking brake, Hill Decent control, and Parking Assist.
Quality & Reliability
The Quality on all BMW cars is of top quality. Everything is made too last and give an impression of luxury, style elegance and sportiness. The car is very well built and comes with some of the best-engineered components and parts. It is also a highly reliable machine and performs to perfection.
Value for Money
The X3 is a great car with very good value for money. It is priced quite competitively, and offers you a lot including pure driving joy.
Verdict
A small SUV with BMW handling and features and impeccable performance, that is what the X3 offers. It looks brilliant and can also be tame in the city. When compared to its other competitors it seems more of a drivers car and more aggressive than the other Germans.
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