![]() In general driving situations - highway cruising, heading to the shops - the X3 is a compliant, easygoing vehicle, even with the firmer sports suspension of the M Sport package. The entry-level BMW X3 xDrive 20i features a clever all-wheel drive system that ensures confidence-inspiring levels of grip on both sealed and dirt roads, and the eight-speed gearbox is a smooth operator. Granted, it was a relatively boring cruise, but the car is quiet in operation, the cruise control intuitive and the engine, transmission and brakes responsive when a hasty acceleration/deceleration manoeuvre is required. The view of the road is superior compared to a sedan and driven southward from Perth to Yallingup, about 300km, the X3 didn't miss a beat. The driving position is first-rate and seat cushioning is supportive but comfortable. ![]() Small things, sure, but it's a level of quality you don't get in many cars. Even the way the plastics line up is impressive. Carpeting throughout is of a high quality and the plush pile mats that Velcro in securely are very nicely trimmed. After vacuuming all the sand out of the car from several beach trips, it became clear how well finished the car is. The satellite navigation proved reliable and concise, with a good level of detail, and there's cup and bottle holders front and rear, a decent-sized glovebox plus storage cubby under the centre arm rest.Īttention to detail is also surprising (in a good way). The dash doesn't look particularly glamorous but it all works well connecting both iPhone and Android smartphones wirelessly via Bluetooth is a breeze, and the infotainment interface is generally good. The climate control means one-touch cooling the moment you hop in the car, and opening all windows and the panoramic sunroof (a $2308 option) via the key fob is a godsend when the sun's been baking the car all day.Įrgonomics throughout the X3 are fine, the cockpit especially so with easy to use controls, from the steering wheel to the iDrive input dial. At the same time it isn't cumbersome in tighter situations, its reasonable girth making it simple to slot into car parks.Ĭonvenience features like automatic headlights and wipers, keyless push button engine start, idle stop-start, parking sensors and a rear-view camera are common on many cars half the price of this $60K luxury SUV, but are welcome additions nonetheless. The mid-sized US-built SUV provides ample space for passengers and feels roomy even for adults sitting in the back. There's even a little cubby for a single rear head restraint, useful when you need it out of the way to fit a tall-backed baby seat. Its 550-litre boot (expanding to 1600 litres easily enough) features flip out shopping bag hooks, floor plugs for securing larger loads and a good-sized elastic harness on the right side, big enough for holding a small parlour palm upright for example. But I digress.ĭespite its modest (for an SUV) proportions - 4648mm long, 1881 wide - the X3 seemingly has a space for everything. No bending over required! The higher load floor is also one of the chief reasons my wife refuses to consider the idea of a regular wagon. With an optional M Sport package ($5154), it looks suitably athletic too, with big 19-inch alloy wheels and a subtle body kit.Īlthough the X3 doesn't quite have the visual charisma or chunky proportions of its bigger sibling, the X5, it's got ample room for a family of three, two weeks’ worth of luggage, a fair whack of beach gear and an Esky.īeing a high-riding SUV, loading child into the baby seat is easy, likewise dumping cargo into the boot. What's to make of the BMW X3? The second-generation X3 is far from fresh, arriving here in back in 2011, but after more than a week behind the wheel it's clear the luxury SUV can still hold its own.īeautifully finished inside, enjoyable to drive, easy to load and featuring several time-saving features, the X3 proves to be a versatile vehicle, and workable for small families too. ![]() Equally at ease transporting the family around town as it is hacking down twisting and turning coastal roads, the entry-level 2.0-litre turbo-petrol X3 is sharply priced too, at just under $60,000. ![]() The BMW X3 is often forgotten in the mid-sized luxury SUV race, but as our latest drive in Western Australia proved, it's a capable and versatile machine. ![]()
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