Review: BMW X3

After resolving that our holiday plans would involve a 2,000-mile drive to southwest France, the strategic booking of a BMW X3 20d M Sport Pro test car felt like a master stroke.

BMW’s new, fully electric iX3 claims up to 500 miles between charges and plenty of Brits were confidently boarding the Eurotunnel in EVs when we arrived at Folkstone.

But, with two children on board and the added complication of road charges, urban emissions zones and the odd wildfire to dodge, the 197bhp two-litre turbodiesel’s potential 650-mile fuel range relieved some tension.

BMW X3 prices start at £53,620, with M Sport Pro versions from £59,620. Our diesel version came in at approximately £67,000, including options.

The X3 ticked some key practicality boxes for our road trip.

Its 570-litre boot sits between the Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLC, proving plenty big enough to swallow two inadvisedly large suitcases.

Longer and wider than its predecessor, at 4,755mm and 1,920mm, it also boasts decent rear legroom, a panoramic sunroof emphasising the sense of cabin space.

In a change from the German brand’s austere cabins of old, M Sport’s red and blue stitching on the seatbelts are not the only touch of design creativity.

Light bars skirt the dashboard, centre console and doors. While appearing a little plasticky against the high-quality trim elsewhere, these look great at night and provide colourful warnings for parking and collision avoidance.

Roughly textured fabric adds tactility to the dashboard door cards, albeit this can be rough on the elbows of those who perch an arm up high while driving.

BMW’s dashtop screen integrates 14.9-inch infotainment and 12.3-inch instrument displays. Our car’s head-up display was also useful. However, polarised sunglasses rendered it invisible.

The M Sport Pro features an LED illuminated version of BMW’s bold kidney grille, 20-inch alloys, red brake callipers and sports suspension.

On France’s excellent motorways, with the adaptive cruise set at 130kph, the X3’s ride was excellent. Comfortable, but controlled enough to minimise any risk of travel sickness.

On the vineyard lined routes of southwest France, its dynamic shone.

A chunky, flat-bottomed steering wheel connects to a responsive helm, while the xDrive all-wheel-drive system’s balance cleverly alludes to BMW’s rear-wheel-drive roots.

The only gripe on our long journey was the lack of rear seat adjustability. These do not slide back or forth or recline.

Otherwise, the X3’s seats proved impeccably comfortable, accounting for an array of family requirements which range from bad backs to the typical teenage social media slouch.

Alright, I admit it. I bottled an opportunity to trial France’s excellent EV infrastructure.

However, the X3 20d M Sport Pro’s accomplished long-range performance meant that it ultimately emerged as one of the trip’s highlights.

BMW X3 20d M Sport Pro

Price: approx. £67,000 (as tested)

Engine: two-litre mild hybrid turbodiesel

Power: 197bhp

Torque: 400Nm

Transmission: eight-speed Steptronic

Top speed: 134mph

Economy: 43.5-48.7 mpg (WLTP combined)

0-62mph: 7.7 seconds

CO2 emissions: 153-171g/km