The new 2025 BMW X3 is an important model for the Bavarian company. While it once made building the Ultimate Driving Machines its core stock in trade, today, it’s a company with a broader portfolio. Conventional wisdom is that brands that build desirable SUVs end up with buckets of money, and the X3’s job is to help BMW score that bag.
Fundamentally, SUVs are core product for most brands these days. Any denial of such became pointless when Lamborghini and Ferrari started getting in on the action. The X3 is one of BMW’s biggest lines in the US market, shifting over 80,000 units in 2022 alone. Where the 3 Series was once the accessible darling of the BMW lineup, that mantle has now shifted.
The third-generation model sold well for BMW in its seven year reign. Now, the new X3 brings new design language, new tech, and new engines, including a hybrid option. The question will be whether it can continue the model’s strong sales momentum into a new era.
All-New
There’s no use hiding from the elephant in the room, nor its giant nostrils. BMW has committed to a design language featuring huge kidney grilles, with only the smaller model lines spared. The new X3 doesn’t change this, but it does make them more eye catching than ever. The grilles feature bold diagonal and vertical strakes that appear akin to some kind of dazzle camouflage from the early 20th century. They also get outlined with glowing contour lights to really draw the eye.
Besides the nose, though, it’s an otherwise modern and clean design. The basic proportions are largely rectangular, with BMW ignoring the temptation to go for a steeply-sloping roof that would unduly cut headroom and cargo space. The X3 almost rides low enough that has you wondering if automakers are flirting with wagons again, but its overall height keeps it in the SUV class.
BMW bills the X3 as suitable for “everyday use, weekend adventures, and cross-country journeys,” though we’re about a decade past anyone pretending they’re buying one for off-road use. Still, in the US, all models will come with BMW’s xDrive AWD system.
Two main models will be available from launch. The X3 30 xDrive starts at $50,675 including destination charges. It will feature a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, good for 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It’s assisted by a 48-volt mild hybrid system, too. It’ll propel the X3 to 60 mph in just six seconds flat.
Cashed-up buyers can go for the X3 M50 xDrive instead, which begins at $64,100. It gets BMW’s 3.0-liter inline-six, complete with turbo and 48-volt mild hybrid system. It offers a mighty 393 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque, and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. BMW also claims that new “extremely rigid” model-specific engine mounts provide supreme responsiveness from the drivetrain. All that extra power will rocket the X3 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds—a number once the purview of real supercars.
Notably, both trims drop the “i” which BMW formerly used to designate models fuel injection. Going forward, “i” will only be used for BMW’s all-electric models.
BMW is serious about efficiency with the X3, hence the mild-hybrid systems on both engines. Other details include the flaps which block airflow through the grille for better aerodynamic efficiency, and the fact that both engines can use variable valve timing to implement the Miller cycle for better fuel economy.
Inside, BMW has gone for a cutting-edge, futuristic look, with bold lines in contrasting colors. Call it interesting, or call it lurid, but it’s certainly not blending in with any of the competition. The base model is sharp, but not too crazy. However, BMW has chosen to show off the M50 xDrive in wild fashion. It’s, uh…particularly eye catching in the way it proudly displays the M colors, red and blue.
With an interior like that, your friends will certainly remember their first trip in your BMW. It’s a look that would be a bit over the top for a special limited-edition sports model. It’s surprising to see BMW go ham on the M colors in what is fundamentally an SUV, even if it’s a moderately fast one.
The X3 will feature a large touchscreen and a screen for the instrument cluster, with the system running the latest iDrive 9 infotainment software. According to BMW, it’s focused on improving touch and voice controls to allow for a more “driver-focused cockpit” with less buttons and switches. It provides for a clean interior, but fans of bespoke tactile controls may be disappointed. A worthy feature, however, is the Augmented View function when using navigation. It will display a live video stream from the driver’s perspective on the interior display, with animated arrows overlaid to indicate the correct way to progress through difficult junctions.
Another interesting option is BMW’s innovative Parking Assistant Professional with Maneuver Assistant. It goes above and beyond traditional parking assists, allowing the driver to “record” complex parking maneuvers for later use. Using GPS and the recorded trajectory data, the X3 can automatically execute advanced parking maneuvers on command. This can be controlled from either inside the car, or from the outside via a smartphone app. If you’ve got a weird driveway or parking spot that’s a little hard to get to, you might find this feature to be a great tool.
Similarly, if you have a long driveway, Backup Assistant can drive the X3 backwards for up to 650 feet on a route that you formerly drove in forwards. If your nouveau-riche college friend just bought a mansion with a winding one-way driveway, this could pay for itself in no time flat.
Ultimately, the X3 has become a vital pillar of BMW’s lineup in the US. It’s a top seller for the brand, and it will want to see that continue. The engines are competent, the tech should be too. It will thus come down to looks, and whether the model’s intended audience will accept them. With the bold direction the new model is taking, the X3 could really go either way.
Image credits: BMW
I like it. It’s a little bit bold in a sea of bland.
Also… it looks like far less BMW Piano Black Finish (C) was applied.
There’s actually more Piano Black — it was just moved outside.
I like it. It’s a little bit bold in a sea of bland.
Also… it looks like far less BMW Piano Black Finish (C) was applied.
There’s actually more Piano Black — it was just moved outside.
So close. Just add some ground effect lights, fuzzy steering wheel and air freshener and they nail it.
So close. Just add some ground effect lights, fuzzy steering wheel and air freshener and they nail it.
The tale of a former Honda Civic owner selling their Pep-boys special, and jumping into this Pep-boys interior special as though nothing really changed.
The tale of a former Honda Civic owner selling their Pep-boys special, and jumping into this Pep-boys interior special as though nothing really changed.
Pretty clear that I’m not the demographic they’re aiming for.
Just as well.
I’ve finally become inured to the Big Beaver look… and they’re pushing it further. If there wasn’t so much money involved, I’d have to wonder if this isn’t all just a massive troll move.
Aw, ffs, I missed that final full-frontal shot. They added a Hitler ‘stashe to the beaver teeth. Good job, people: it will get noticed.
Fascism is in fashion these days.
I can’t unsee that now.
Sorry bout that.
I shouldn’t have shared
No worries. I made a Lou Bega earworm on another post. I’m a monster.
Pretty clear that I’m not the demographic they’re aiming for.
Just as well.
I’ve finally become inured to the Big Beaver look… and they’re pushing it further. If there wasn’t so much money involved, I’d have to wonder if this isn’t all just a massive troll move.
Aw, ffs, I missed that final full-frontal shot. They added a Hitler ‘stashe to the beaver teeth. Good job, people: it will get noticed.
Fascism is in fashion these days.
I can’t unsee that now.
Sorry bout that.
I shouldn’t have shared
No worries. I made a Lou Bega earworm on another post. I’m a monster.
To be honest, I don’t hate it. It could definitely use some improvement though.
Exterior: the hood line in side profile needs to be lower. Dropping the hood height to about where the hood opening cut line is would be a good start. The rear haunches also need more depth and definition, in the front 3/4 view they’re just a blob and the bottom of the rear window height is too high. I like the simple shapes of the headlights and even the size of the nostrils doesn’t bother me, but dear God, unplug the nostril halos.
Interior: bold swing and the base model isn’t bad. I can see those colored panels working with various wood, woven, or brushed metal finishes too. Functionality without buttons will likely suck but looks wise it seems fine. For the M model though… Uh, you forgot the purple guys. There are three “M” colors and you forgot the middle one. Blend the blue to red over a larger region (taking more from the red) and it’ll look less like an angry hvac display.
To be honest, I don’t hate it. It could definitely use some improvement though.
Exterior: the hood line in side profile needs to be lower. Dropping the hood height to about where the hood opening cut line is would be a good start. The rear haunches also need more depth and definition, in the front 3/4 view they’re just a blob and the bottom of the rear window height is too high. I like the simple shapes of the headlights and even the size of the nostrils doesn’t bother me, but dear God, unplug the nostril halos.
Interior: bold swing and the base model isn’t bad. I can see those colored panels working with various wood, woven, or brushed metal finishes too. Functionality without buttons will likely suck but looks wise it seems fine. For the M model though… Uh, you forgot the purple guys. There are three “M” colors and you forgot the middle one. Blend the blue to red over a larger region (taking more from the red) and it’ll look less like an angry hvac display.
Even Clark Kent would find that M50 dash garish. The quad kidney grill is beyond me.
Even Clark Kent would find that M50 dash garish. The quad kidney grill is beyond me.
This is absolutely disgusting. Deplorable. Despicable. Nauseating. Looks cheap inside and out.
(Unfortunately it’ll probably sell really well because modern BMW buyers are tasteless assclowns)
This is absolutely disgusting. Deplorable. Despicable. Nauseating. Looks cheap inside and out.
(Unfortunately it’ll probably sell really well because modern BMW buyers are tasteless assclowns)
Shocking interior, to come from the creators of the iX, no, tacky as h*ell, yes.
Shocking interior, to come from the creators of the iX, no, tacky as h*ell, yes.
Among other things, I do not like the profile. The front is too large for the rest. Something is just not right. I hope Adrian agrees.
I agree. The side profile is hideous. It’s like someone grabbed both ends and stretched a car that was originally designed to be a foot shorter and six inches taller, then smashed the rear end.
Among other things, I do not like the profile. The front is too large for the rest. Something is just not right. I hope Adrian agrees.
I agree. The side profile is hideous. It’s like someone grabbed both ends and stretched a car that was originally designed to be a foot shorter and six inches taller, then smashed the rear end.
The finally figured out the proportions with the previous gen X3 (particularly prior to the Halo sword taillight facelift) and made it a mini X5 and now they go and do this weird shit again.
My take as well. This will help keep resale values of the G01 inflated!
The current X3 is such an attractive car. So of course they threw everything that made that design work out the window in favor of their new U MAD BRO?! design language.
The finally figured out the proportions with the previous gen X3 (particularly prior to the Halo sword taillight facelift) and made it a mini X5 and now they go and do this weird shit again.
My take as well. This will help keep resale values of the G01 inflated!
The current X3 is such an attractive car. So of course they threw everything that made that design work out the window in favor of their new U MAD BRO?! design language.
wtf
wtf
That barren interior in a $50k+ car is criminal
Also, why there’s no continuity between the door trim and dash? I’m not going to even mention the exterior, but now they are focusing on making those interiors just as hideous
I was coming here to say the exact same thing. They just gave up on the dash entirely like a college freshman who didn’t study for his finals, slaved away at the infotainment and doors, then they were told “oh hey times up, need this to go into production” and they turned it in without doing anything for the rest of the dash.
Yes, this. I commented elsewhere on this thread but I completely agree. This is a hodgepodge of fake minimalism (to save money) with bad materials and garishness I’ve not seen before except for on ratted out chargers.
That barren interior in a $50k+ car is criminal
Also, why there’s no continuity between the door trim and dash? I’m not going to even mention the exterior, but now they are focusing on making those interiors just as hideous
I was coming here to say the exact same thing. They just gave up on the dash entirely like a college freshman who didn’t study for his finals, slaved away at the infotainment and doors, then they were told “oh hey times up, need this to go into production” and they turned it in without doing anything for the rest of the dash.
Yes, this. I commented elsewhere on this thread but I completely agree. This is a hodgepodge of fake minimalism (to save money) with bad materials and garishness I’ve not seen before except for on ratted out chargers.
Loving the BMW interior craziness right now. Audi? Grey on the outside, black on the inside…
BMW? There is an XM for sale near me which is Sao Paolo Yellow with a blue and brown interior. Fuck yes.