Third generation BMW X3 has X factor looks
The BMW X3 which we test this week will not be the biggest selling version of the car here in Ireland, but it will certainly cause ripples of interest across a cabal of drivers who like their SUVs to be pretty compact, but with that added bit of zip created by what is under the hood.
The big X3 seller here will be the two litre turbodiesel version of the car and not the three litre straight six turbo diesel we test here and which will set you back a smidgen under €77,000, as against the €59,000 for the two litre entry-level version.
The three litre however, will prove, I have no doubt — to be an appealing machine for people who like their cars to have decent punch, without getting into the realm of the hyper-barge SUV territory favoured by some.
Now in its third incarnation, the X3 has always been a popular seller for the Munich giant — in fact they’ve sold some 1.5m of them worldwide – since it was first unveiled in 2004.
Originally a slabby looker with a high side profile and generally having nothing much to write home about in the looks department, it was also endowed with a shockingly firm ride.
Through its second generation and now into its third, the X3 has gestated into something much prettier than the original; they’ve also come up with a more pliable suspension layout which no longer requires you to have a jaw-lock installed to prevent your gnashers disintegrating under a brick-like regime.
Former BMW chief designer Chris Bangle had many controversial moments during his time there — and the original X3 was one of them. His successor, Dutchman Adrian van Hooydonk, has overseen a radical softening of many of Bangle’s ideas and the current X3, which was first seen late last year, is one of the more obvious beneficiaries of his approach.
Although endowed with possibly the biggest kidney grill design ever seen on a BMW, the overall look of the car is kinder and softer than ever before which is just fine, especially when you look at some of the tough opposition it faces in this segment.
Such as the Jaguar F-Pace, the Lexus NX, the Range Rover Sport, the Mercedes GLC and the Audi Q5 form the primary opposition to the X3 and none of them could be accused of being ugly, so it has been very wise of BMW to move away from the original angular design of the car.
Whatever about its looking and its (very) hard driving attitude, the X3 nevertheless engendered a lot of love among the buying public and while the majority did not purchase one for their rather ropey off road abilities, they did grow to adore the real-life practicality of the thing and its general toughness.
One acquaintance of mine even swore he loved his X3 more than he did his wife, so he was probably lucky she didn’t trade him in for a newer model.
But the new car — and specifically this, the three litre turbodiesel — has a lot more to offer than the original ever did. The revamping of the look has been very welcome, but the upgrading of the interior, the infotainment and communications systems is perhaps even more impressive.
BMW has re-defined its iDrive infotainment system to the point where it is as notably multi-functional as anything I have come across in the automotive canon. The 10.25-inch screen can be controlled in four different ways: by voice control; by a series of pre-defined gestures; by actually swiping it with your fingers; or, simply by using the rotary iDrive controller on the centre console.
All very fab, you will admit, but let me tell you that if you have a particularly gesticulative front seat passenger it can be very disconcerting to find the radio station being changed every moment, or the Sat Nav suddenly redirecting you to the Czech Republic.
That aside, the interior is a really impressive place to be and the driving position, what with head-up display (one of the best I’ve seen), the digital instrument binnacle (ditto), and the flavour-of-the-minute executive toy, ambient lighting, all part of the deal.
The quality of the materials utilised throughout and the thoughtfulness of the layout are excellent and the X3 simply oozes class as a result. The comfort levels extend to front and rear chairs which are the essence of luxury.
On the engine side, the three litre straight six turbocharged diesel is a truly lovely engine to live with. There are some 261 horses on offer and a whopping 620 Nm of torque is available between 2,000 and 2,500rpm, which makes the package very driveable.
Top speed is 240kph and 0-100kph comes to fruition in just 5.8 seconds, while the car will also return 5.7 l/100km (49.1mpg) and the g/km output is 149 for an annual tax bill of €390, which is not at all bad.
But the silky driving dynamics, which are greatly added to by the standard eight-speed Steptronic automatic ‘box, make it a car that is truly a joy to drive. The smooth power delivery, the unfettered quietness of the engine, even when under pressure, and the general potency of the thing, make for a very appealing package.
The X3 also now comes with 4WD as standard across the range, via BMW’s xDrive system and although you’d hardly notice the system’s capability while highway driving — understandably — you will note, while traversing B-road territory that the ride comfort is spot on and the handling as sharp as a tack. The adaptive suspension (a €754.68 extra) undoubtedly helped in this regard and would have to be regarded as an essential added option.
And, while speaking of options, it has to be pointed out that there was over €13,000 worth of them on the test car. Now I know that many in the BMW family will say that I’m always harping on about the costs of their add-ons, but the point remains that many potential buyers will be shocked by what is being asked of them for baubles over and above what comes as standard.
That aside, the X3 has gestated from being a much-loved and very practical machine into a very good-looking and very thoughtfully made SUV which will also be much-loved and very practical. And with this three litre diesel stoking it along, it packs a decisive punch too.
Colley's Verdict
From €76,800 - €90,075 as tested.
Brilliant six cylinder three litre turbodiesel.
Good.
Close to the top of the pile.
