
- Likes: Smoothest powertrain on the block, beautiful interior, quality materials.
- Dislikes: Mild-styled exterior, confusing options and packages.
- DM Verdict: BMW has continued to refine its formula for the X3, and this one is the best yet.
The 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i is a midsize luxury crossover with a base price of $41,000. This specific X3 sports what BMW calls “Luxury Design” as well as the premium package and mocha interior, boosting its as-tested price to just over $55,000. It’ll do 0-60 in 6.2 seconds and averages 25 mpg in mixed driving; you might see 30 mpg on the highway, which is good for its size and all-wheel drive.
Design
The exterior styling of this third generation X3 is a mixed bag; it’s not offensively loud like some new Lexuses, but rather a bit dull. The interior, however, is elegant with its mixture of high-quality leather, plastic, and metal all molded into a design that blends contemporary style with modern cues.
Driving Experience
The biggest highlight of this X3 is the tasteful blend of sport and luxury that BMW managed to engineer into the driving experience. The smooth controls give the driver a subdued sense of confidence. The steering isn’t sports-car heavy, nor should it be in this type of vehicle. Under the hood is quite possibly the best 2.0-liter turbocharged engine on the market, and in this application it makes 248 horsepower. Even more importantly, full torque comes in low and carries through the rev range, so adequate grunt is always available.
Sales figures show that BMW sold more X3s in 2019 than any year before, and it doesn’t take much time with the car to see why. With leases starting just under $400 a month in most areas, the X3 is evidence that BMW’s focus on crossovers is resulting in some seriously compelling vehicles.
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