THREE'S A CHARM (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_bmwx3_2018

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 67

BMW's third generation 'G01'-series X3 was a premium mid-sized SUV that in this form got plusher, more spacious and more powerfully efficient compared to its predecessor, stacking up impressively against prestigiously-badged period alternatives from Audi, Mercedes, Jaguar and Volvo in this sector. Like its rivals, dynamically targeted almost exclusively towards on-road use, it was another example of just how car-like a model of this kind could be.

Modelsword count: 13

5dr SUV (xDrive20i / xDrive20d / xDrive30d / xDrive30e / M40i / M40d)

Historyword count: 418

You wouldn't would you? Dramatically change a car that's already a best seller. So this third generation BMW X3, the Munich maker's entrant in the ever-growing premium mid-sized SUV segment back in 2017, very much emphasised evolution over revolution when it came to the alterations made. We'd had the major changes with the previous generation MK2 'F25'-series version back in 2010, when BMW transformed the awkward first generation 'E83'-series X3 model onto a proper smart-suited mid-sized SUV fully up to the task of taking on classy rivals from Audi and Mercedes. That previous MK1 design, originally launched in 2003, had been one of the company's poorer efforts, essentially a re-bodied 3 Series Touring that looked ugly, felt cheap, rode poorly and only sold a lot because it didn't have much competition. What buyers really wanted an X3 to be was a slightly shrunken version of the company's luxury X5, so that's what the Bavarians tried to provide with the second generation 'F25' series version of this car, production for which was moved to the X5's US plant in Spartenburg, South Carolina. The same American factory built this replacement 'G01'-series X3 model too, like all X-range models designated by BMW as an 'SAV' (or 'Sports Activity Vehicle') to try and differentiate it from less dynamic SUV rivals. As you can see from the styling, presided over by Australian Calvin Luk, it was moved a touch up-market. Necessarily so, to leave a little more breathing space for the two other only slightly more compact X-series models that by 2017 had been slotted in to sell beneath it, the second generation X1 and that car's sporty derivative, the X2. True, the size of this model was much the same as it was before, but under the skin, things were much changed, the previous 3 Series-derived architecture here replaced by a more sophisticated design that shared its technology with the more luxury-orientated 5 Series model. As part of that, buyers got a whole new level of safety provision and media connectivity, plus cabin quality took a big leap forward too. When buyers wanted an agile driving experience, weight reductions and improvements to the chassis promised to provide it. When they didn't, the company's autonomous driving tech was supposed to allow you to relax and settle back. There were also properly potent 'M Performance' flagship variants for the first time too. This 'G01'-series third generation X3 was subtly updated in mid-2021, but it's the earlier 2017-2021-era versions of it we look at here.

What You Getword count: 375

Though the exterior dimensions here were hardly changed over those of the previous 'F25'-series MK2 model, this third generation 'G01'-series X3 has significantly more road presence than its predecessor. Predictably, it shares many aesthetic cues with the second generation version of its smaller X1 showroom stablemate - which is not surprising since both models were the work of the same stylist, Australian designer Calvin Luk. Of course as usual, what's more important is what you can't see, primarily the fact that the under-skin architecture, which in previous X3s was based on a 3 Series, here drew from more up-market 5 Series-derived technology. There's a reason this car feels more sophisticated, both on the road and in the cabin. Inside, you're seated in the pleasingly commanding position you'll want if you've switched into an X-series model from either a 3 or a 5 Series. And for the first time in an X3, MK3 model buyers were treated to a properly premium experience behind the wheel. We mentioned the new-found close relationship this third generation model now has with BMW's 5 Series model. Well inside, you really feel that, perhaps most notably with the use this X3 makes of the cutting-edge Media Connectivity systems from that car. Most notably, that means the 10.25-inch 'Professional MultiMedia' centre screen infotainment set-up, which is either standard or optional, depending on the variant you've chosen. Base models get conventional gauges, but as an option, original buyers could replace these with virtual dials that came as part of the TFT 'Digital Cockpit' screen fitted as standard on the top M40i variant. 'M Sport'-trimmed derivatives got a compromise semi-digital cockpit arrangement. And in the back? Well here, a six-footer will be able to sit comfortably behind a driver of similar size, which is about as much as you can ask of a mid-sized SUV of this sort. There was seat backrest-reclining functionality, but original buyers had to pay extra for it so it might not feature on the model you're looking at. Once the powered hatch rises, you're provided with 550-litres of capacity. Need more room? If you've got the reclining back seat, this process is neatly activated by cargo sidewall latches and when they've been pulled, a 1,600-litre cargo area is revealed.

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