BMW has a variety of popular models, but even for this sports-car focused brand, SUVs are increasingly stealing the spotlight.
Case in point: The BMW X3 — a compact luxury SUV offering — is now the brand’s best-selling model in the U.S. with over 75,000 vehicles sold in 2021.
That’s a tremendous success considering the strong competition in this sector from brands including Genesis, Benz, Audi, Cadillac, Lincoln and more.
I recently spent some time driving the 2022 BMW X3, which features design upgrades as well as tech improvements, and I’m back with a full report.
FYI
Vehicle: 2022 BMW X3
Price as tested: $64,990 (starts around $43K)
Best feature: Sporty and powerful ride, innovative infotainment system
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Who will want this vehicle?: Luxury SUV buyers looking for a thrilling ride and a tech-savvy vehicle
LOOKS
The updated styling on the 2022 BMW X3 includes redesigns of the front and rear ends, including grille and lighting designs that are eye-catching and attractive.
A muscular silhouette is offered, and I had a sharp Carbon Black Metallic paint scheme on my test vehicle. Other exterior highlights include the M Brakes that stand out in bright red.
One downside is that the side mirrors on the X3 are too tiny.
Moving inside the vehicle, an X3 with the Premium Package will feature a panoramic moonroof, heated seats in front and rear, a Head-Up Display, plus gesture control (more on that later).
The X3 offers a classy and comfortable interior, though it’s not quite as upscale in look and feel as some rivals. Seats were Mocha Vernasca Leather, and felt very comfy even on longer drives. There’s also an adequate amount of leg room in both front and back seats, and cargo space is competitive at 28.7 cubic feet with rear seats up, and 62.7 cubic feet with the rear seats down.
There are many well-designed controls on the steering wheel, in the center console and on the touchscreen.
Among other interior highlights are a heated and leather-wrapped 3-spoke M Sport steering wheel, multi-zone climate control, carbon fiber trim, and ambient lighting.
HOW’S THE RIDE?
Several engine options are available on the X3, and all available engines are powerful and fuel-efficient.
My test vehicle (an M40i model) had a 3.0-liter turbo inline 6-cylinder engine that offered a solid 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The M40i features a mild hybrid system with an upgraded starter-generator system that makes the engine more efficient in heavy traffic.
Other options include the base engine, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet. Last but not least, the high-end M performance model will blow you away with its 473 horsepower and 457 pound-feet.
All X3 models are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. AWD is standard on all but one X3 model.
The V6 power plant in the vehicle I tested provided a tremendous driving experience, as you should expect from a brand like BMW.
Power is truly awesome, delivering a 0 to 60 time of just over 4 seconds. The X3 offers impressive handling for curvy roads, and you get paddle shifters to enhance the ride if you’d prefer more control over shifting. Braking is also instantly responsive.
Overall, you feel very connected to the car and trust it will do what you want, making the X3 a legitimate contender for best overall driving experience in the segment. Depending on your driving conditions, you can choose between Sport (the fun option), Comfort (daily driving/in traffic) and Eco Pro (fuel economy maximization) drive modes.
An adaptive M suspension on the M40i model lowers the chassis by about a half-inch.
The X3 also features variable sport steering, Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, 4-wheel ventilated anti-lock disc brakes, Dynamic Brake Control, M Sport Brakes, and Cornering Brake Control.
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
The 2022 BMW X3 features a very cool and user-friendly iDrive 7.0 infotainment system, without a doubt among the best in the business. It features easy-to-use touch controls, a helpful dial control in the center console, and highly effective voice commands.
There are also some unique features such as gesture control, which lets you do some commands via air gestures without actually touching the screen.
The X3 is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Connected Package Pro features Real-Time Traffic, On-Street Parking Info (in select cities) and BMW Remote Services.
The X3 is also one of the safest SUVs available — rated at 5 stars overall and in nearly every category.
A ton of great safety systems are included, though I found some to be overly sensitive at times.
These systems include
- Front and Rear Park Distance Control and Rear View Camera
- Active Driving Assistant featuring Frontal Collision Warning, Active Blind Spot Detection, and Lane Departure Warning
- Head-up Display
- Active Blind Spot Detection
- Front Collision Warning w/City Collision Mitigation
- Lane Departure Warning
MPG
Fuel mileage numbers are respectable in the 2022 BMW X3, coming in officially at 21 city/26 highway/23 combined.
In my real-world testing of the X3, I averaged slightly lower, at just over 19 mpg.
PRICE
The 2022 BMW X3 M40i that I tested was priced just under $65,000; base price starts about $43K for base version, $58K for M40i trim level, and $70K for the high-performance M model.
These prices are in the higher range of the luxury SUV offerings available, but BMW has the performance and design goods to back up those prices.
Warranties are strong, including:
- 4-year/50,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty
- 12-year Unlimited Mileage Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
- 4-year Unlimited Mileage Roadside Assistance Program
- BMW Ultimate Care Maintenance Program For the first 3 years or 36,000 miles
BOTTOM LINE
There are many good reasons the X3 is BMW’s top seller. With its sharp looks, roomy and well-designed interior, strong tech features, and that traditional BMW drive quality — the 2022 BMW X3 is a capable contender in the luxury compact SUV segment yet again.
Other brands such as Genesis are certainly making a mark in the segment and on the come-up, but BMW continues to defend its position as a top luxury brand quite well with vehicles like the refreshed X3 crossover that will be a good fit for a wide range of families and individuals and anyone who just loves driving.
Matt Myftiu can be reached via email at matt@autotechreviews.com. His past reviews can all be seen online at autotechreviews.com. Follow AutoTechReviews on Instagram at @Autotechreviews.
