The BMW X3: Ultimate Driving Experience

Has the Ultimate Driving Experience moved to larger BMW vehicles? This distinction belongs to the BMW M3, but it could be applicable to the BMW X3 as well.

The X3 is a compact luxury SUV, which is only different from the 3 Series in that it’s an SUV and not a sedan. Unfortunately, BMW hasn’t blessed the X3 with the same sporty appeal as the M3 and its variants, but that doesn’t stop the SUV from being fun to drive. This impressive SUV brings the heat with incredible driving dynamics and ample power in the X3 M.

The power levels for your driving needs

If you’re looking at the X3 as the SUV you’ll drive every day, and you want to get the most fuel efficiency out of it, not the most power, the base sDrive30i could be for you. This model has a RWD setup that sends 248 horsepower to the wheels from a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. This power setup is available with AWD in the xDrive30i as well.

When it’s time to turn up the heat, the M40i delivers 382 horsepower to the wheels via a 6-cylinder engine. The most powerful version of this SUV is the X3 M, which produces 503 horsepower, making it the most exciting X3 to drive.

How is this BMW SUV equipped?

You’ll find a fantastic package of luxury features in every trim of the BMW X3. Let’s see what each one brings to your driving experience.

X3 sDrive30i

This base version of the X3 gives you:

• Fuel economy figures of 25 mpg combined
• 19-inch wheels
• LED headlights
• Satin aluminum exterior trim
• Power liftgate
• SensaTec faux leather upholstery
• Driver’s side memory settings
• Anthracite headliner
• Dark oak wood interior trim
• Dual-zone climate controls
• Multicolor ambient lighting
• Universal garage door opener
• iDrive 7.0 infotainment system
• 10.25-inch touchscreen
• Navigation system
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Two USB ports
• Live Cockpit Plus displayed on a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
• Active Driving Assistant
  • Front collision warning
  • Active blind-spot detection
  • Lane-departure warning
  • Speed limit info
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Automatic high beams
  • Anti-theft alarm

As you might expect, the BMW X3 has several desirable options that make this SUV more enjoyable to drive and experience on a daily basis. Some of the available options are:

• M Sport Package
  • Aerodynamic body kit
  • Unique wheels
  • Extra wheel options
  • Shadowline exterior trim
  • Aluminum interior trim
  • M steering wheel
• Dynamic Handling Package
  • Dynamic Damper Control
  • M Sport brakes with blue or red calipers
  • Variable sport steering
• Driving Assistance Professional Package
  • Full-speed adaptive cruise control
  • Lane-keep assist
  • Extended traffic jam assistant
  • Evasion aid
  • Front cross-traffic alert
• Parking Assistance Package
  • Active park distance control
  • Surround-view 3D camera
• Premium Package
  • Heated steering wheel
  • 12.3-inch touchscreen
  • Comfort Access keyless entry
  • Panoramic moonroof
  • Heated front seats
  • Lumbar support
  • Head-up display
  • Live Cockpit Pro with navigation
  • Heated rear seats
• Convenience Package
  • Panoramic moonroof
  • Lumbar support
  • Comfort Access
• Shadowline Package
  • Black body trim
  • Dark chrome headlight accents
• Vernasca leather upholstery
• Remote engine starting
• Heated steering wheel
• Trailer hitch
• Panoramic moonroof
• Ventilated front seats
• Harman Kardon audio system
• Head-up display
• Wireless charging pad

X3 xDrive30i

The only change from the sDrive30i to the BMW X3 xDrive30i is the addition of AWD in place of the RWD layout.

X3 M40i

Moving up to a more powerful version of the X3, the M40i gives you:

• M Sport Package
• Dynamic Handling Package
• Adaptive M suspension
• Panoramic moonroof
• 12.3-inch infotainment screen
• SensaTec dashboard

Most of the options for the M40i are the same as those for the lower trims, but there are a few differences. This higher trim level can be had with:

• M Sport differential
• Shadowline Package
• Carbon-fiber interior trim

The Premium Package is a little more affordable at this trim because some of the items are already part of the standard features list.

X3 M

The BMW X3 M is the top dog for this compact luxury SUV, producing 473 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. This performance-oriented model gives you:

• M Sport differential
• Dynamic Damper Control
• Adaptive LED headlights
• Vernasca leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Harman Kardon premium audio system

This top trim has a few options packages and features to make it the best possible X3 that it can be. Some of these are:

• Competition Package
  • 21-inch wheels
  • M Sport exhaust system
  • M Sport seats
  • M seat belts
  • Extended Shadowline trim
  • Extended Merino leather
  • Engine tuned to 503 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque
• Executive Package
  • Panoramic moonroof
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Rear side-window sunshades
  • Rear heated seats
  • Head-up display
  • Parking Assistant Plus
  • Gesture control
• Driving Assistance Professional Package
• Premium paint colors
• M carbon strut brace
• M Sport seats
• M Driver’s Package (driving lessons)

Will you drive one of the impressive versions of the BMW X3 and enjoy the Ultimate Driving Experience that it provides?