After 7 long years, the popular BMW X3 has finally gotten a from-the-ground-up overhaul, with this brand-new fourth-generation model bringing some much-welcomed improvements. From the plethora of new tech and the redesigned interior and exterior, as well as the inclusion of hybridised powerplants, and so much more. With all that in mind, could this new X3 usher in a new golden age for BMW’s iconic mid-size SUV? Or, maybe as confusing as its model name might be, has the X3 20 xDrive M Sport (that’s a mouthful!) been left behind by its ever more populous and growing cohort of rival SUVs? Well, it turns out that this new X3 might be worth all the hype.
What Is The BMW X3 20 xDrive M Sport About?
In a separate post, I had the chance to drive the proper BMW M-spec X3 – the also-new X3 M50 xDrive – whose name doesn’t really roll off the tongue that gracefully, either. If all you’re looking for is top-grade performance, horsepower, and dynamism, that’s the new X3 trim that you really should be looking at. In that post, I spoke at length about how much I actually like the design, as well as breaking it down even further. I know BMW’s latest design language and style have rubbed some folks the wrong way. However, in the flesh, this new-generation X3 is rather handsome to look at. TL;DR, there’s a lot to like with this all-new X3 and how it flaunts off its looks.
Plus, most of the styling elements that I praised on the M50 xDrive carry over to this 20 xDrive M Sport model, too. Between the giant alloy wheels and contrasting black trim, as well as this lovely frosted grey paint, the new X3 is arguably one of the more handsome SUVs that money can buy today. Even with that more subdued colour scheme and spec, it still looks great to my eyes. Compared to the proper, big boy M-spec X3, there are differing touches with this “less sporty” X3 20 xDrive M Sport. Maybe the most noticeable change is those gargantuan kidney grills up front. Whereas the M50 xDrive had horizontal lines running across the grille (which is something you’ll also see on other sporty M models), this X3 20 xDrive M Sport has a crisscross pattern, instead.
How Does It Drive?
Pop open the bonnet, and this BMW X3 20 xDrive M Sport is powered by a familiar 2.0-litre turbo inline-4 petrol engine, which is then mated to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Altogether, it’ll put out a fairly respectable 208hp and 330Nm – both rather modest figures for an SUV. All in all, you’re looking at a 0 to 62mph sprint in around 7.8 seconds, before it tops out at 134mph. Naturally, speed and power aren’t really the focus of something like this, despite having “M Sport” in its name. Additionally, while that aforementioned hybrid system does add a tiny bit of power to the whole powertrain, it’s really there to help you out with saving fuel.
Nevertheless, with an 8-speed automatic transmission that shifts gears quickly and effortlessly, as well as BMW’s fantastic xDrive all-wheel drive system, the new X3 20 xDrive M Sport can still be surprisingly fast and athletic if you want it to. On the road, the X3 20 xDrive M Sport is a very pleasant car to drive. It’s not shocking to me that BMW has put a lot of thought into refining its driving mannerisms, given that, unlike the insane M50 xDrive, this specific X3 model here is what most people will probably be looking at buying when they’re shopping for a new BMW X3. If you don’t need all that horsepower and outright pace, then the X3 20 xDrive M Sport is for you!
The Experience
Consequently, the new BMW X3 20 xDrive M Sport drives and handles well, with its quiet engine, and minimal sound intrusion from road, wind, or tyre noise. Elsewhere, the suspension is dampened very nicely too, handily soaking up the many bumps and potholes on my local roads. Now, compared to the full-on M trim, the 20 xDrive M Sport model does feel a slight bit more lethargic. Simply put, you do have to rev out the engine a bit more at times to really get power out of it. In spite of that, it is still a BMW at its core, so there is that hint of sportiness when you’re looking to have a bit of fun. It might be an “M Sport”, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fast.
I’ve found that it handles and keeps itself poised through the corners stunningly well for an SUV of this size and weight class. On top of that, there’s still that quick-shifting gearbox and tactile paddle shifters. And speaking of paddle shifters, if you pull down on both paddles, it temporarily activates sport mode to give you more power. In a handful of seconds, while it’s active, it’ll sharpen your throttle, hasten your gear shifts, and even open up the exhaust. Otherwise, the X3 20 xDrive M Sport isn’t made for speed, but at least it may help with getting better MPGs. Your mileage may vary, but if you’re gentle enough, you could get close to its official 39 mpg rating.
What Is It Like Inside?
Speaking of similarities, the cabin of this new BMW X3 20 xDrive M Sport isn’t too different from the M50 xDrive model that I spoke of earlier. It still has those two enormous, curved displays which join together to make up the infotainment system and gauge cluster. Underneath that lies one of the best user interfaces and systems in any carmaker that I’ve driven these days, resulting in this superbly high-tech, minimalistic cabin. Or, if you don’t like how it looks now, you always have the option to further fine-tune and personalise it later. Besides that, if you’ve read my M50 xDrive review, you’ll notice other uncanny similarities with that specific trim, as you step inside.
One such example is the strips of ambient lighting that stretch from the door handles all the way to the dashboard and centre console. Meanwhile, just below that, there’s a familiar set of toggle switches as your gear selector, replacing the more old-school shifter design that BMW had used in the past. You could tell right away that the interior layout and design of this X3 20 xDrive M Sport is much more pared back compared to the M50 xDrive. It’s by no means Spartan or basic, but it lacks some of that sporty flare. On the other hand, as with that other X3 trim, the 20 xDrive M Sport is no less a great place to spend time in for those arduous daily commutes.
You might even argue that it looks and feels less sporty in here, and rather, it’s more classy or has that upscale, executive feeling. Given that it’s an X3, it’s hugely practical too, with a spacious boot in the back, and more than ample room for your rear passengers. Of course, if you want more space, there’s always the option to step up to the bigger BMW X5. That should offer you more luggage capacity, as well as additional legroom and knee-room for your rear-most passengers. For most folks out there, though, I’d reckon the X3 is more than adequately sized, particularly if you want to use it as a family car. The only other elephant in the room now is the price.
BMW X3 20 xDrive M Sport Cost
The new BMW X3 20 xDrive M Sport has a starting price of around £50,175, though our example here costs an eye-watering £66,700! That perhaps goes to show just how far off the rails you could go with BMW’s optional extras, with our test car here equipped with way more additional equipment than I could count. Some of the more commonplace ones include a £250 option for a heated steering wheel, £1,025 for a towbar, £1,350 for a panoramic glass roof, and another £450 for UV-resistant tinted glass. From there, you truly start digging even deeper into the rabbit hole… Our X3 here came with the M Sport Package Pro option, for a pricey £2,300.
This includes some performance-focused add-ons, such as adaptive suspension, sport brakes (crucially, with red brake callipers!), and some other sporty cosmetics, such as blacked-out trim and BMW M colours in the interior. One other costly package that was bundled in with our X3 is the Technology Pack, offering you some additional gadgets for £2,275. This encompasses an interior camera, a parking assist feature, a heads-up display, and even an expanded ADAS suite to afford you semi-autonomous driving. Elsewhere, another option that came with our car is the Comfort Plus pack. For £1,350, you get ventilated front seats, heated seats, proper lumbar support in the front, adaptive LED headlights, and a great-sounding Harmon-Kardon surround sound audio system.
Verdict
The all-new fourth-generation BMW X3 continues to carry forth a legacy over 20 years in the making. It has the perfect balance between practicality, comfort, performance, and luxury, which is everything that we know and love the old X3s for, in the first place. Now the new X3 20 xDrive M Sport raises the bar even further, now giving you electrified performance, new-age tech, and a very refined cabin. I know it’s a lot of money for one of these, but there’s a good reason the X3 has topped “best SUVs” lists for the past two decades. So, for those of you who could afford to even look at one, this new BMW X3 is absolutely worth giving a shot.
Specification
BMW X3 20 xDrive M Sport Specs
- Price: £50,175
- Engine: 2.0-litre turbo inline-4
- Power: 208hp
- Torque: 330Nm
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- 0-62mph: 7.8 seconds
- Top speed: 134mph
- Weight: 1,930kg
- Economy combined: 39.2-40.4 mpg
- CO2: 164-158g/km