BMW X3

The BMW X3's cabin feels like a complete futuristic package because of the tech inside.

Cabin Layout and Quality

• The dashboard features BMW's latest curved display.
• It puts the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster into a single unit.
• Veganza upholstery and brushed aluminium trim give the cabin an upmarket feel.
• Multi-colour ambient lighting makes the cabin's ambience much better.
• The panoramic glass roof makes the cabin feel more spacious as well.

Seating Comfort

Front Row

• The driving position is highly adjustable.
• The front sports seats offer excellent long-distance comfort.
• Both front seats are electrically adjustable with a memory function for the driver's seat.
• Seat ventilation is also available.

Second Row

• The rear bench offers generous legroom and headroom.
• The backrest can be reclined for improved comfort on long journeys.
• Rear passengers get dedicated AC vents, USB Type-C charging ports, etc.
• There’s a centre armrest with cupholders.

According to Bilal,

"It is spacious, well-built, comfortable and, in the diesel guise, astonishingly efficient."

Features That Improve Daily Use

• The 14.9-inch BMW Curved Display touchscreen
• The 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Automatic climate control

BMW prices the new X3 very competitively against its German rivals.

The claimed ARAI mileage for the diesel is 17.86 kmpl, while the petrol engines register around 13.38 - 14.61 kmpl. The 48V mild-hybrid system helps push these numbers slightly higher in city traffic.

The latest BMW X3 feels very solid to drive and be in.

Passive Safety and Crash Protection

• It’s built on BMW's latest CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform.
• The platform uses high-strength steel and aluminium for enhanced crash protection.
• Six airbags come as standard across the Indian lineup.
• Three-point seatbelts for all occupants and ISOFIX child-seat mounts are included.
• There are also seatbelt pretensioners and an automatic post-collision braking function.

Active Safety and Stability Systems

• The X3 has ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, DSC, DTC, Hill Descent Control, etc.
• It also gets a tyre pressure monitoring system and cruise control.
• There are front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree surround-view camera, etc.
• The BMW Parking Assistant Plus adds the 360-degree camera system, Reversing Assistant, and automated parking.
• The Driving Assistant Plus handles Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, etc.

BMW modernised the cabin tech a lot for this generation.

Infotainment and Interface

• A curved glass panel houses two separate screens in the cockpit.
• The driver looks at a sharp 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
• The centre features a 14.9-inch touchscreen running the latest BMW Operating System 9.
• The physical iDrive rotary controller on the centre console remains.
• BMW now finishes it in clear glass on the top trims to make it look highly premium.
• You get a massive Head-Up Display (HUD) as well.
• It projects speed and navigation instructions directly onto the windshield.

Cabin Convenience and Practical Features

• You now have to use the touchscreen or voice commands for the air conditioning.
• The Harman Kardon premium surround sound system sounds excellent.
• The wireless phone charger is very helpful when covering long-distance trips.

The BMW X3 offers one of the largest luggage compartments in the luxury mid-size SUV segment.

• The boot provides 570 litres of cargo space with all five seats in place.
• It can comfortably fit in large suitcases along with a few cabin bags or backpacks.
• The rear seats fold in a 40:20:40 split, allowing you to carry longer items.
• Folding them flat increases the available cargo capacity to 1,700 litres.

The fresh X3 prioritises passenger comfort much more than the older models did.

City Handling

• The steering is light, making this wide SUV surprisingly easy to park and do U-turns.
• The 360-degree camera provides a detailed 3D view of the car's surroundings.
• BMW switched to regular tubeless tyres instead of stiff run-flat tyres here.
• So, the ride quality over sharp speed breakers and deep potholes is a bit firmer.
• The car also features BMW's Reversing Assistant.
• If you get stuck, the car remembers your exact steering inputs for the last 50 metres.
• You just put it in reverse, and the car steers itself backwards automatically.

Bilal appreciates the mild-hybrid efficiency,

"Importantly, this isn’t gimmick engineering but a genuine boost in the mild-hybrid setup."

Highway Stability

• The CLAR platform keeps the X3 planted firmly on the highway.
• Even at 120 kmph, the chassis feels completely stable, refusing to get pushed off its line.
• The cabin blocks out wind noise very well, making it a great long-distance cruiser.

With only three variants for the Indian market, BMW keeps the X3 lineup simple.

The Essentials That You Don't Get

• A seven-seat configuration
• Ventilated rear seats

Both the petrol versions of this car pack exciting highway performance. But if you care about fuel frugality, the diesel variant can’t be beaten by the other two.

Best for Daily City Use: xDrive20 M Sport

If you need a comfortable, premium SUV for office commutes and weekend mall trips, this base petrol variant has more than the required power. The price difference can be considered negligible in this bracket.

Best for Long Road Trips: xDrive20d M Sport

If you regularly drive across different states, buy the diesel. The massive mid-range torque makes highway overtakes effortless, and the high fuel efficiency means you do not have to stop at petrol pumps very often.

Best for Enthusiasts: xDrive30 M Sport Pro

If you enjoy driving fast, this is the only option. This petrol engine delivers aggressive speed, and the adaptive suspension gives you the ability to stiffen the car up for twisty mountain roads.