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2024 Volkswagen Taos Review2023 BMW X3: Bigger and Better Than Ever
The 2023 BMW X3 is a capable luxury SUV that will get you around town in style. We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more.
What’s new for the 2023 BMW X3?
BMW just finished refreshing the X3 for 2022 so changes on the 2023 model are light. They include adding remote proximity keyless entry to the entire lineup, making Skyscraper Grey Metallic available across the lineup, and removing gesture control from the infotainment system.
2023 BMW X3 – netcarshow.com | Shop 2023 BMW X3 on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Great engines
Lovely cabin
Can tow 4,400 lbs
Fast infotainment system
Spacious cargo area
Expensive M40i trim
We’d love more standard driver aids
2023 X3 Specs
- 248 horsepower from base engine
- 258 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 28.7 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 62.7 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- 4,400-lb towing capacity
- Available 12.3-inch screens
- IIHS Top Safety Pick+
- 3 yearscomplimentary maintenance
2023 BMW X3 Powertrain
BMW offers the X3 with two distinct powertrains. The base is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. In sDrive guise, it feeds the rear wheels only. Swap up to the xDrive and it’s AWD. Go for the top X3 M40i model and you’ll get a 3.0-liter mild-hybrid and turbocharged inline-six engine with 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. All three drivetrains utilize the same eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF. Only the sDrive30i is available with rear-wheel drive.
The base engine is surprisingly enjoyable for everyday tasks. We really liked its smooth power delivery, low noise, and good fuel economy. The transmission also does a fabulous job of keeping the little four-cylinder in the heart of its power band.
The bigger 3.0-liter motor actually feels a smidge overpowered for this chassis. We’re not complaining though because it’s a hoot to drive. The transmission is even more enjoyable thanks to crisp gear changes on command through its manual mode. Across the entire lineup, the X3 offers great braking performance and decent handling prowess too. We miss the days of the super-small X3 but what this one lacks in curve-hugging sharpness it makes up for in terms of power output.
Towing & Payload
Many vehicles in this segment seem somewhat underwhelming when it comes to towing capacity but the X3 is not one of them. When properly equipped, it’ll tow up to 4,400 pounds behind it. That’s impressive considering its size.
2023 BMW X3 Fuel Economy & MPG
The EPA says that the X3 sDrive30i can get up to 23 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway. Go for the xDrive30i and those figures drop to 21 and 28 respectively. Thankfully, going with the more powerful M40i isn’t much of a penalty. Its EPA figures stand at 21 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Sharp; that’s the perfect word to describe the interior of the X3. Everything from the panel gaps to the general layout is attractive, well-thought-out, and high-quality. Not every high-end-looking trim piece is made from the material it purports to be but there’s still real metal and excellent-feeling soft-touch materials throughout.
The seats are supportive and feature 10-way adjustability in the front row. While the X3 might not be the super-nimble SUV of days past, it’s gained a lot more headroom and legroom in the process. We found the cabin to be very quiet too. Road noise was all but completely hushed regardless of activity levels outside of the car. On top of that, the base suspension does a nice job of dampening broken pavement.
Cargo space behind the second row is above adequate for the segment. With 28.7 cubic feet of storage space, it should be more than enough for most buyers. Those who need more can lower the seats and get up to 62.7 cubic feet of cargo in the back in a pinch.
Entertainment & Technology
BMW’s standard infotainment suite in the X3 consists of a 10.25-inch center screen,12 speakers, in-dash navigation, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay connectivity. It’s an attractive package and it’s functionally excellent too. We especially like how fast the system responds. Those who want an even bigger display can get it too.
BMW offers a pair of 12.3-inch screens, one for infotainment and one for the gauge cluster, in a single package. Operationally, they’re similar but add space and a few features that the smaller screens don’t get. If there’s anything to gripe about it’s a lack of USB charging ports. BMW only offers one as standard and additional ones cost extra.
Safety Features
BMW’s X3 has a great record of safety. The NHTSA gave this generation of the X3 five stars in its testing, the IIHS chose it as a Top Safety Pick+, and it comes with a number of standard driver aids. That includes forward collision mitigation and lane-departure warning. Some features, like adaptive cruise control, are available but cost extra.
2023 BMW X3 Trims & Pricing
sDrive30i – $46,395
The base X3 comes with the 2.0-liter engine described above along with rear-wheel drive. It also gets push-button ignition, auto-dimming mirrors, LED headlights, 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, parking sensors, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, faux leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, integrated navigation, and 12 speakers. Safety tech includes lane-departure warning, forward collision mitigation, and blind-spot monitoring.
Buyers can also add packages with features like lumbar support, a panoramic sunroof, M-style wheels, a sport steering wheel, adaptive suspension dampers, and upgraded brakes.
xDrive30i – $48,395
The xDrive 30i is identically equipped to the sDrive30i except that it utilizes all-wheel drive and some of the available packages feature slightly different features.
M40i – $60,945
The top trim in the X3 lineup gets a mild-hybrid 3.0-liter six-cylinder and AWD. It also gets a faux-leather dashboard, a 12.3-inch gauge cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment system, and the features from the Dynamic Handling pack that includes upgraded brakes, adaptive steering, adaptive suspension, and unique styling elements. It also gets a hands-free liftgate, a panoramic sunroof, and keyless entry.
Warranties
Every X3 regardless of trim will come with a four-year or 50,000-mile warranty. That timeframe is identical for both the limited and powertrain warranties provided. On top of that, BMW provides three years or 36,000 miles worth of complimentary maintenance. As a total package, it’s largely average for the segment but the free maintenance is a nice touch. Other companies like Genesis offer the same coverage though.
What we think
2023 BMW X3 – netcarshow.com | Shop 2023 BMW X3 on Carsforsale.com
The 2023 BMW X3 is one of the most well-rounded luxury SUVs in its class. It handles just about every one of life’s missions without too many compromises and starts at under $50k. Sure, the M40i is a bit pricey but available new car incentives can help bring that down some. For a review of cheaper used SUVs look here. At the end of the day, we’d name the X3 as one of our favorites in the space. It’s worth considering even if you have to buy used.
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