The BMW X3 has long been a favourite amongst keen drivers and soccer mums alike, thanks to its compelling blend of keen performance and capable handling, packed within an in-trend and practical SUV body.

So does this updated X3 still have what it takes to stand up to its varied competition?

A new look

Well, to start, it certainly still has the charm to woo buyers at the showroom.

Exterior design changes that have come to the BMW X3 include a redesigned grille, flatter head lights, a new front and rear apron, as well as the use of an attractive pair of trapezoidal free-form tailpipes at the rear.

On the inside, the dashboard and centre console see the most significant changes, with the driver's instrument cluster now the 12.3-inch item as seen in many other BMW products, the gear selector redesigned into a more rounded piece, and the centre console now housing the engine start/stop button alongside the updated BMW rotary controller.

And the changes are mostly welcome. The exterior upgrades continue to build on the chunky yet modern overall design of the BMW X3, while the interior ones improve on the already high ergonomics of the cabin.

Having said that, I did find myself preferring the design of the previous gear selector, which just seems to fall more comfortably in hand and is easier to operate as well, with its park mode button located at the top of the selector instead of the bottom.

A new drive

More significant for this updated BMW X3 is the fact that the entire range of engines offered here now come with mild hybrid technology.

With only 11bhp from the electric motors to contribute to the output of this 241bhp xDrive30i variant, you won't be experiencing any surge of electric torque when accelerating hard.

Still, the technology delivers but only a tremor when restarting the engine after you've stopped at the lights, and helps toward our tested fuel economy of 9.3km/L over the course of three days.

This is a pleasing car to drive, with power from the 2.0-litre unit offered in linear fashion. It is quiet when driven lightly, but can be made to offer a bassy grumble all through the mid-range once pushed. And there's plenty of grip on offer as well, which works with the car's already excellent suspension setup to offer high confidence should you opt to throw it into a few corners.

As great as ever

And for the rest of the family, there's still plenty of room on offer.

Head and knee room are more than enough even for the lanky at the rear, and further back, there's space to carry up to 550 litres of cargo, with easy loading guaranteed thanks to a wide tailgate opening.

If it is all-round versatility combined with sporty drive that you're after, the latest changes to the BMW X3 mean it still continues to be an appealing premium compact SUV pick.

If you're in the market for a premium compact SUV, there are also these alternatives to consider:

The new Lexus NX delivers in tech, comfort, and luxury

While the Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI is smart looking and really comfortable to sit in

There's also the Jaguar F-PACE 2.0, with an aggressive exterior and a clever infotainment system

Or the Volvo XC60 B6, which also now comes with mild hybrid technology, alongside a new Android-powered infotainment system

The BMW X3 has long been a favourite amongst keen drivers and soccer mums alike, thanks to its compelling blend of keen performance and capable handling, packed within an in-trend and practical SUV body.

So does this updated X3 still have what it takes to stand up to its varied competition?

A new look

Well, to start, it certainly still has the charm to woo buyers at the showroom.

Exterior design changes that have come to the BMW X3 include a redesigned grille, flatter head lights, a new front and rear apron, as well as the use of an attractive pair of trapezoidal free-form tailpipes at the rear.

On the inside, the dashboard and centre console see the most significant changes, with the driver's instrument cluster now the 12.3-inch item as seen in many other BMW products, the gear selector redesigned into a more rounded piece, and the centre console now housing the engine start/stop button alongside the updated BMW rotary controller.

And the changes are mostly welcome. The exterior upgrades continue to build on the chunky yet modern overall design of the BMW X3, while the interior ones improve on the already high ergonomics of the cabin.

Having said that, I did find myself preferring the design of the previous gear selector, which just seems to fall more comfortably in hand and is easier to operate as well, with its park mode button located at the top of the selector instead of the bottom.

A new drive

More significant for this updated BMW X3 is the fact that the entire range of engines offered here now come with mild hybrid technology.

With only 11bhp from the electric motors to contribute to the output of this 241bhp xDrive30i variant, you won't be experiencing any surge of electric torque when accelerating hard.

Still, the technology delivers but only a tremor when restarting the engine after you've stopped at the lights, and helps toward our tested fuel economy of 9.3km/L over the course of three days.

This is a pleasing car to drive, with power from the 2.0-litre unit offered in linear fashion. It is quiet when driven lightly, but can be made to offer a bassy grumble all through the mid-range once pushed. And there's plenty of grip on offer as well, which works with the car's already excellent suspension setup to offer high confidence should you opt to throw it into a few corners.

As great as ever

And for the rest of the family, there's still plenty of room on offer.

Head and knee room are more than enough even for the lanky at the rear, and further back, there's space to carry up to 550 litres of cargo, with easy loading guaranteed thanks to a wide tailgate opening.

If it is all-round versatility combined with sporty drive that you're after, the latest changes to the BMW X3 mean it still continues to be an appealing premium compact SUV pick.

If you're in the market for a premium compact SUV, there are also these alternatives to consider:

The new Lexus NX delivers in tech, comfort, and luxury

While the Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI is smart looking and really comfortable to sit in

There's also the Jaguar F-PACE 2.0, with an aggressive exterior and a clever infotainment system

Or the Volvo XC60 B6, which also now comes with mild hybrid technology, alongside a new Android-powered infotainment system