Style Edit: BMW’s new generation X3 SUV boasts a sportier design, advanced tech and powerful hybrid engines, offering a sleek, driver-focused experience

Jan 13 , 2025

The new BMW X3 family.
Photo: Handout — The new BMW X3 family. Photo: Handout

The 3 new models feature sleek design, classic BMW touches and innovative features

On its launch in 2003, the BMW X3 blazed a spectacular trail, pioneering one of the most popular contemporary vehicle types and becoming the first premium mid-size SUV on the market. Over 20 years later, the fourth and latest generation of this revolutionary vehicle has been born – and it continues to take giant steps forward, with a sportier appearance, more streamlined interiors, upgraded technological features and a big boost in power.

It comes in three models: the X3 20 xDrive, the X3 20 xDrive M Sport Edition and the X3 M50 xDrive. What all of them share is a dramatic, powerful profile, 34mm longer than the previous edition of the X3 at 4,755mm, 29mm wider at 1,920mm and 25mm lower at 1,660mm.

Sleek interior: BMW X3 M Sport. Photo: Handout

Its robust lines continue with the skirts, roofline, flared wheel arches, sizeable roof spoiler and side air deflectors. The classic BMW design features are all present and correct too, in particular an especially chunky rendering of the signature kidney grille, surrounded by BMW’s Iconic Glow contour lighting.

All this comes alongside a seriously sleek interior, with the instrument panel and door trim appearing to seamlessly surround the driver, accompanied by the trademark BMW Interaction Bar.

It’s also a hassle-free delight to drive, with touch and voice control taking priority over physical buttons, and the driver kept informed via a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display. Ease of driving is given a further boost by a line-up of advanced technological features to help the driver with everything from avoiding collisions to parking with ease.

The new X3 is powered by 48V mild hybrid technology. In the X3 20 xDrive, it features a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol unit, which is capable of delivering 190hp of power and 310Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds. Beneath the bonnet of the X3 M50 xDrive, meanwhile, is a potent 3.0-litre M TwinPower Turbo unit, meaning it can chalk up 398hp and torque of 580Nm, reaching 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds.