Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, or simply BMW, is one of the most popular luxury car and motorcycle manufacturers globally. The German giant was conceived in 1916, with its expertise initially aimed at manufacturing aircraft engines. The brand is a parent company to various other luxury car manufacturers such as Mini and even Rolls-Royce. Their critically acclaimed contribution to the luxury car segment earned them the title of the ‘fourteenth-largest producer of motor vehicles globally’ in 2017.
The mid-size luxury SUV segment has also seen BMW’s opulent touch, with the X3 making a significant impact owing to its fun-to-drive character and overall functionality. The BMW X3 has been around since 2003 and is based on the brand’s popular 3-series sedan. The X3 is referred to as a ‘Sports Activity Vehicle’ by the luxury automaker, and its success has culminated in the creation of three generations of this compact luxury crossover SUV. The 2022 iteration of the X3 brings an element of freshness to its overall versatile personality.
The BMW X3 has had a successful run since its inception in 2003, and with time and various subtle updates, the 2022 X3 proves to be a serious performer in its segment. The agile second-generation X3 encompasses a near-perfect blend of sportiness and practicality. Plus, the introduction of a plug-in hybrid powertrain only accentuates the appeal of its overall package and the X3 eyes to take the crown as the ultimate mid-size luxury SUV money can buy.
A Fresh Exterior Design
The 2022 BMW X3 hosts a variety of changes in its exterior design that, in turn, make it all the more aesthetically appealing. The mid-size luxury SUV now sports a revised one-piece kidney grille design, updated aerodynamic bumpers, and even sleeker 21-inch wheels. The stylish full LED headlight setup and revised exhaust tips only accentuate its overall handsome stance.
The freshness of the X3’s exterior design is further aided by the provision of the M Sport appearance package on even the base variant of the luxury SUV. This exterior design package mimics the racier M40i model of the X3 lineup, giving the luxurious beamer a more stylish persona. The combined overall design language of the 2022 X3 makes it quite the beauty in its segment.
The Comfortable Interior Dynamics
The interior of the X3 is an exquisite mix of top-notch materials, comfort, and state-of-the-art technological ingenuity. the dashboard and the door coverings of the luxurious beamer are finished in faux leather, with the nickel-finish metal trim only accentuating the premium in-cabin experience of the mid-size luxury SUV.
The occupants on board the X3 are pampered with absolute comfort. The cabin sports 10-way power-adjustable front seats with adjustable side bolster while the rear-seat occupants can kick-back and relax with the well-cushioned reclining seatbacks. This feature proves quite beneficial for arduous long journeys.
The cabin also houses a 10.3-inch infotainment system that is compatible with Apple Carplay and Android Auto and a similar-sized digital gauge cluster, both of which come in as standard. The systems are upgradable to a larger 12.3-inch layout as an option. With features like a wireless charger pad, tri-zone climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, and even a wifi-hotspot, the X3 promotes sheer comfort.
The cabin design of the X3 may be a tad outdated. Still, the overall build quality, vast feature list, and adequate cargo space of the beamer make it a rather versatile and practical performer, making it one of the top picks in its segments.
The Diverse Performance Dynamics
The powertrain options of the X3 sport an element of diversity. The versatile beamer comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit that belts out a decent 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed sport automatic transmission handles the grunt of the X3, and the power can be directed via a front-wheel or rear-wheel-drive setup. The X3 manages to haul itself to the 60 mph mark in a modest 6.2 seconds, onwards to a top speed of 130 mph.
The performance of the 2.0-liter X3 is by no means exciting but is adequate to deal with tricky everyday situations in a hassle-free manner. If performance is the need of the hour, the luxurious beamer can also be bought with a more exciting 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder unit that churns out a meatier 382 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. The resulting performance is blistering, with the 60 mph mark demolished in just 4.4 seconds.
The X3 is an agile handler and sports a perfectly balanced ride that manages to hit the sweet spot in terms of comfort. The comfort factor on board the X3 can be accentuated further with the optional adaptive suspension system known as the ‘Dynamic Damper Control,’ which hosts various driving modes to alter the riding characteristics of the luxurious SUV.
The combined package of the beamer’s more significant powertrain and sound handling characteristics make it a fun-to-drive machine that is sure to put a smile on the faces of performance enthusiasts worldwide.
The Top-Notch Levels of Safety And Exquisite German Engineering
The BMW X3 excels in the safety department as well. The mid-size luxury SUV comes standard with automated emergency braking with forwarding collision warning and even lane departure warning, with the adaptive cruise control feature coming in as an option too. With a near spot-less NHTSA crash-test record secured by the 2021 X3, the 2022 iteration of the BMW X3 looks to be one of the safest and most versatile performers in its segment.
With a starting price of $44,695, the BMW X3 is similarly priced to the equally impressive $45,195 Audi Q5. A luxurious beamer is a well-rounded machine with impeccable engineering cues and exquisite build quality and manages to hold its own against the stiff competition surrounding the segment.
The BMW X3 is a versatile performer with a vast feature list, near-flawless handling characteristics, and an unmatched brand value. The X3 does fall a little short when it comes to its expensive customizable options list and dated cabin design. Still, these tiny flaws cannot offset the sheer magnificence surrounding its quirky character and comfortable interior dynamics. The competition that surrounds the X3 is certainly stiff, but the mighty beamer can undoubtedly put up a fight in this battle for segment supremacy.