BMW X3

The redesigned BMW X3 enters its latest generation with cleaner sheet metal, a roomier cabin and a heavy dose of new technology. It slots into the crowded luxury compact SUV class as a default benchmark, balancing genuine driving polish with everyday usability. Buyers get a strong turbo-four base engine, a punchy inline-six performance variant, and an interior that leans hard into screens. It is composed, quick and premium, though options inflate the sticker fast.

On the road the X3 still feels like a BMW first and a crossover second. The base 30 xDrive uses a 2.0-liter turbo-four with mild-hybrid assist, and 255 horsepower is plenty for confident merging and passing. The eight-speed automatic shifts smoothly, and standard all-wheel drive gives reassuring traction. Steering is precise and body control is tidy for the segment, so the X3 stays engaging on a back road while remaining calm on the highway. The M50 variant adds a 393-hp inline-six for those who want real urgency.

Inside, the cabin is the biggest change. A curved display merges a 12.3-inch instrument cluster with a 14.9-inch touchscreen running BMW's latest operating system. The design looks modern and material quality is generally good, but BMW has moved many functions, including climate adjustments, into the screen, which adds steps for simple tasks. The new shift control and slimmed-down center console divide opinion. Rear-seat space and cargo room are competitive, and the SUV remains practical for families.

Ride comfort is good but firmer than some rivals, especially on larger wheels, where sharper bumps come through. Wind and road noise are well suppressed. Fuel economy of roughly 27 mpg combined for the four-cylinder is reasonable rather than class-leading, and there is no plug-in hybrid for the US at launch, which some shoppers will miss.

Value is the usual BMW caveat. The base price is competitive, but option packages for driver assistance, premium audio and trim quickly push the total well past the starting figure. Equipped sensibly, the X3 justifies its cost with strong engineering, but cross-shop carefully because rivals can undercut it on features per dollar.