BMW was among the first to recognize the potential in the premium SUV market. After a lot of development and various prototypes in the '90s, the first-generation E53 X5 came along in 1999. Even though the styling wasn't to everyone's taste, thanks to the practicality of the SUV but the driving experience of any good BMW, the X5 went on to become a massive success. Spurred on by the success of the X5, BMW decided to expand their SUV lineup further. In 2003, they introduced the baby brother to the X5, the X3.
Based on the 3 Series platform, the original X3 was successful, even though it was pretty flawed. This compact SUV is now in its third generation, which debuted in 2017. BMW has refined the formula, and the current X3 is definitely a worthy competitor in the compact luxury SUV segment. For 2022, the X3 has received a facelift, or in BMW parlance, a Life Cycle Impulse (LCI). The LCI brings along a refreshed exterior, new technology, and various other things.
Overview Of The 2022 X3
The 2022 BMW X3 is a compact luxury SUV, a facelift of the third and current generation X3 that has been in production since 2017. In BMW's seemingly endless lineup of SUVs, it sits above the X1 compact SUV, but below the X5. The X3 also forms the base for BMW's compact coupe crossover, the X4. For 2022, BMW refreshed the X3's exterior to bring it more in line with the brand's latest (and controversial) design language. The BMW X3 goes into battle with the likes of the Mercedes GLC, the Volvo XC60, the excellent Genesis GV70, and the Audi Q5.
The front features new headlight clusters, as well as new side air intakes and a slightly revised pair of kidney grilles, which aren't as big as you might expect. The side profile remains the same, although there are some new alloy wheel designs to choose from. Meanwhile, the rear end features a new and very unusual set of taillights. The 2022 X3 is available with two powertrains and two exterior packages: xLine and M Sport.
2022 X3 Powertrains And Drivetrains
Let's talk a little more about those powertrains. The base X3 sDrive30i uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, developing 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. A 0-60-mph time is over and done with in 6.0 seconds, which remains unchanged even if you spec xDrive (AWD), and the top speed is electronically limited to 130 mph. As previously mentioned, you can have this engine with AWD, which adds $2,000 to the MSRP, but the performance remains identical.
The other available powertrain is the M40i, which uses a 3.0-liter turbo inline-six with 382 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. It's only available with AWD, and it can do 0-60 in a surprisingly brisk 4.4 seconds. All of these powertrains send power to the wheels through the familiar eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. If you can do without the M badge, you will get a better ride. The X3 is a very capable compact crossover, with exactly the driving experience you would expect from something wearing a BMW badge.
2022 X3 Comfort And Quality
There are some noticeable changes on the inside of the X3 as well. BMW replaced the strange part-digital gauge cluster with its latest fully digital item, though the base model still gets part-analog gauges. There's also a new 12.3-inch infotainment display running BMW's iDrive 7.0. It's not quite the latest version, as cars such as the iX and i4 get an even newer version, but it still has everything you might expect. There's also a revised set of climate controls, as well as BMW's latest shift lever.
Most of the cool stuff on the interior, such as the Gesture Controls, digital gauge cluster, ventilated front seats and the Dynamic Handling Package, which allows you to dial in parameters of the car to suit your driving style, are either options or parts of expensive option packages, which is a shame. Lane keep assist and lane departure warning, auto emergency braking and a variety of other safety features are standard fare on the X3, though adaptive cruise control is an option depending on the model. The X3 seats five passengers, whereas the cargo area clocks in at 28.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up. Fold them down, and it increases to 62.7 cubic feet.
2022 X3 Pricing And Launch
The 2022 BMW X3 is available to order as of late 2021. The base MSRP of the X3 sDrive30i is $43,700, whereas adding AWD bumps that up to $45,700. The xLine exterior package is standard, and the M Sport package costs $4,700. The M40i, meanwhile, starts at $57,800.
Even though the competition in this segment is fierce, the X3 is still a solid compact luxury SUV. Great powertrains, updated interior tech, eye-catching exterior styling, that badge and exceptional dynamics considering what it is definitely make it worthy of consideration.