BMW X3 SUV Review
SUV Reviewer
The 2012 BMW X3 SUV is a small luxury crossover SUV that was introduced eight years ago as a natural follow-up to the larger BMW but came across more like an afterthought with mediocre power, an unexceptional interior and an unsteady ride. The 2012 BMW X3 SUV has been fully redesigned with a more dynamic looking exterior with crisper styling, a softer yet more highly tuned suspension, all-wheel-drive and a compliant ride that is still taut with excellent handling of corners.
There are two trim levels available for the BMW X3 SUV, the xDrive28i and the xDrive35i. Luxury is supreme in both in both levels with the 28i featuring leatherette upholstery, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, windshield wipers that sense the rain, front seats that are powered eight ways, cruise control and an audio system with 12 speakers and a CD player. The 35i ups the ante with a Sports Activity Package and a Premium package. Both feature adaptive Xenon headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels while the Sports Activity package adds a sport transmission with paddle shifters, sport front seats and rood rails and the Premium Package provides leather upholstery, a rear-view mirror that auto dims and a sunroof. Options include front and rear seats that are heated and a heated steering wheel.
The engine in the BMW X3 SUV is 3.0-liter inline 6 cylinder. The BMX X3 SUV xDrive28i model produces 240 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque while the BMX X3 SUV xDrive35i adds direct injection and turbocharging that rev the engine up to 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. Both versions feature an eight speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode and all-wheel drive as standard. Fuel economy for the 35i model is rated at 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway and has been tested to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in a speedy 5.6 seconds.
The BMX X3 SUV seat five passengers comfortably as the vehicle is about an inch wider that its predecessor. This gives the driver more space between the door and the passenger in the front seat and provides for generous legroom in the rear. The iDrive system that controls information, settings, navigation and entertainment has been improved to offer more intuitive control of the vehicle. The BMX X3 SUV includes such standard safety features as front airbags, side airbags for the front seats, full-length side-curtain airbags, anti-lock disc brakes, hill descent control and stability control. The 35i model has been tested to stop from 60 mph in only 116 feet.
All of these features make for a BMW X3 SUV that adeptly handles the road with speed-sensitive steering that provides a nimble quality that makes you want to tackle the windiest roads. The Dynamic Handling package adds different driving modes to tailor your driving experience and the eight-speed automatic transmission seems to be in a hurry to catapult you to the highest cruising speeds. However daunting this may feel, acceleration is swift and effortless once at the cursing and highway speeds.
There are two trim levels available for the BMW X3 SUV, the xDrive28i and the xDrive35i. Luxury is supreme in both in both levels with the 28i featuring leatherette upholstery, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, windshield wipers that sense the rain, front seats that are powered eight ways, cruise control and an audio system with 12 speakers and a CD player. The 35i ups the ante with a Sports Activity Package and a Premium package. Both feature adaptive Xenon headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels while the Sports Activity package adds a sport transmission with paddle shifters, sport front seats and rood rails and the Premium Package provides leather upholstery, a rear-view mirror that auto dims and a sunroof. Options include front and rear seats that are heated and a heated steering wheel.
The engine in the BMW X3 SUV is 3.0-liter inline 6 cylinder. The BMX X3 SUV xDrive28i model produces 240 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque while the BMX X3 SUV xDrive35i adds direct injection and turbocharging that rev the engine up to 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. Both versions feature an eight speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode and all-wheel drive as standard. Fuel economy for the 35i model is rated at 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway and has been tested to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in a speedy 5.6 seconds.
The BMX X3 SUV seat five passengers comfortably as the vehicle is about an inch wider that its predecessor. This gives the driver more space between the door and the passenger in the front seat and provides for generous legroom in the rear. The iDrive system that controls information, settings, navigation and entertainment has been improved to offer more intuitive control of the vehicle. The BMX X3 SUV includes such standard safety features as front airbags, side airbags for the front seats, full-length side-curtain airbags, anti-lock disc brakes, hill descent control and stability control. The 35i model has been tested to stop from 60 mph in only 116 feet.
All of these features make for a BMW X3 SUV that adeptly handles the road with speed-sensitive steering that provides a nimble quality that makes you want to tackle the windiest roads. The Dynamic Handling package adds different driving modes to tailor your driving experience and the eight-speed automatic transmission seems to be in a hurry to catapult you to the highest cruising speeds. However daunting this may feel, acceleration is swift and effortless once at the cursing and highway speeds.
I impressed with its hi-tech yet tasteful interior and sporty pedigree.