What We Like
Refined powertrain
Performs just as well off-road as it does on-road
Superb ride comfort
Premium and high-tech cabin
What We Dislike
Only the petrol variant will be coming to Singapore
The new BMW X3 can be summed up in a single, albeit slightly cliche, sentence. 'A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.' It's adept at many things but not quite a specialist in any particular one.
But therein lies its appeal. With over 1.5 million units sold since its inception in 2003, it would come as no surprise that this highly capable all-round mid-size Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) will be a bigger hit than its predecessors.
BMW's third generation X3 is just as comfortable off-road as it is on-road
Bigger, better, bolder Bimmer
Embracing a more grown up look than before, the X3 is the masterpiece of Calvin Luk - the designer who brought us the X1 (F48), the 1 Series (F20) and the Z4 Concept, which made its debut at Pebble Beach earlier this year.
The rugged, more aggressive stance is highlighted by a chunky kidney grille and hexagonal foglamps - a first on any X model - while retaining familiar proportions such as its short front and rear overhangs. This muscular curvature extends towards the rear, which is defined by a downward-sloping roof spoiler and twin exhaust tailpipes.
Although the new X3 is larger than its predecessor and the first generation X5, BMW's design sorcery has somehow managed to bring its drag coefficient down to a mere 0.29Cd, which equates to an expected fuel consumption figure of 13.5km/L.
249bhp and 350Nm of torque propel the X3 to 100km/h in a respectable 6.3 seconds
X gon' give it to ya
A 2.0-litre four-cylinder powerplant putting out 249bhp and 350Nm of torque makes for a sweet, refined ride in the xDrive30i variant we drove. Power comes in towards the lower end of the rev range at a tap of the foot while smooth, quick gear shifts from the eight-speed Steptronic transmission ensure you're in the right gear no matter the situation. Floor it and the Bimmer hits the century mark in a respectable 6.3 seconds, and on to a top speed of 240km/h.
Point the X3 in the direction you want to go and it complies willingly. Sharp, accurate steering is accompanied by a decent amount of feedback that is refreshing to see, considering how numb most SUVs are these days.
But therein lies its appeal. With over 1.5 million units sold since its inception in 2003, it would come as no surprise that this highly capable all-round mid-size Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) will be a bigger hit than its predecessors.
Bigger, better, bolder Bimmer
Embracing a more grown up look than before, the X3 is the masterpiece of Calvin Luk - the designer who brought us the X1 (F48), the 1 Series (F20) and the Z4 Concept, which made its debut at Pebble Beach earlier this year.
The rugged, more aggressive stance is highlighted by a chunky kidney grille and hexagonal foglamps - a first on any X model - while retaining familiar proportions such as its short front and rear overhangs. This muscular curvature extends towards the rear, which is defined by a downward-sloping roof spoiler and twin exhaust tailpipes.
Although the new X3 is larger than its predecessor and the first generation X5, BMW's design sorcery has somehow managed to bring its drag coefficient down to a mere 0.29Cd, which equates to an expected fuel consumption figure of 13.5km/L.
X gon' give it to ya
A 2.0-litre four-cylinder powerplant putting out 249bhp and 350Nm of torque makes for a sweet, refined ride in the xDrive30i variant we drove. Power comes in towards the lower end of the rev range at a tap of the foot while smooth, quick gear shifts from the eight-speed Steptronic transmission ensure you're in the right gear no matter the situation. Floor it and the Bimmer hits the century mark in a respectable 6.3 seconds, and on to a top speed of 240km/h.
Point the X3 in the direction you want to go and it complies willingly. Sharp, accurate steering is accompanied by a decent amount of feedback that is refreshing to see, considering how numb most SUVs are these days.
Aimed mostly at urban dwellers, the X3 will confidently conquer the concrete jungle while providing all on board with a well-built cabin filled with quality materials such as leather upholstery and Dark Oak wood trim. Thanks to a commanding view of the road, it provides excellent visibility for navigating city traffic and avoiding kerbing those sweet-looking rims. It also irons out kinks in the road exceptionally well.
A commanding driving position in a well-built cabin provides an excellent vantage point for navigating through city trafficBeing an xDrive model, we had to take the X3 off the tarmac and onto some gravel. We're glad to report that it did not disappoint. It performs just as well off-road as it does on-road, thanks to BMW's intelligent all-wheel drive system, a 204mm ground clearance and other automotive wizardry that allows the X3 to take on the great outdoors.
However, we weren't too stoked about the X3's gesture control functions that were adopted from the 7 Series and the 5 Series. But its Steering and Lane Control Assistant, which is part of the Driving Assistant Plus safety package, definitely caught our eye. It monitors lane markings and makes adjustments to the steering in order to keep you on track without colliding with oncoming traffic. Combine this with the SUV's Active Cruise Control and it practically drives itself.
The X3 wouldn't be a proper SUV without a sizeable 550-litre boot, which can be expanded to 1,600 litres
Hit the road, Jack
What's not to like about the new X3? It's got rugged looks, all-terrain capabilities, a refined engine, superb ride comfort, a premium cabin and technologies that would put Tony Stark to shame. And the list goes on.
Add to that the everyday usability of the X3's 550-litre boot, expandable to 1,600 litres, and you've got an SUV worthy of the 'Jack of all trades' moniker. The BMW X3 will be arriving in Singapore early next year in the form of the xDrive30i and M40i.
However, we weren't too stoked about the X3's gesture control functions that were adopted from the 7 Series and the 5 Series. But its Steering and Lane Control Assistant, which is part of the Driving Assistant Plus safety package, definitely caught our eye. It monitors lane markings and makes adjustments to the steering in order to keep you on track without colliding with oncoming traffic. Combine this with the SUV's Active Cruise Control and it practically drives itself.
Hit the road, Jack
What's not to like about the new X3? It's got rugged looks, all-terrain capabilities, a refined engine, superb ride comfort, a premium cabin and technologies that would put Tony Stark to shame. And the list goes on.
Add to that the everyday usability of the X3's 550-litre boot, expandable to 1,600 litres, and you've got an SUV worthy of the 'Jack of all trades' moniker. The BMW X3 will be arriving in Singapore early next year in the form of the xDrive30i and M40i.
