2023 BMW X3 Review

LIKES

Arguably BMW’s best buy
Grunty turbocharged engines
Spacious, comfy cabin
Lots of safety tech
Rorty M versions

DISLIKES

Occasional cheap touches inside
iDrive interface can be tricky
Advanced safety tech costs extra
Some competitors have better cargo space

BUYING TIP

The X3 is just fine in base 30i form, though the M40 can make sense if you start adding lots of performance-oriented trim.

The 2023 BMW X3 is all the crossover SUV most luxury shoppers will really need. It’s as adept around town as it is zipping down a track, too.

What kind of vehicle is the 2023 BMW X3? What does it compare to?

The X3 is a five-seat compact luxury SUV that squares off against the Volvo XC60 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, among many others.

Is the 2023 BMW X3 a good SUV?

It’s a great choice—and for many shoppers, it may be the best BMW in the automaker’s lineup. Great turbo power, approachable tech, and a spacious cabin are among highlights that help the 2023 X3 earn a TCC Rating of 6.8 out of 10.

What's new for the 2023 BMW X3?

After an update last year, the X3 adds standard keyless entry for 2023.

This five-seat crossover SUV saw fresh, more angular lines last year, which include a big kidney grille flanked by chunky headlights. Below, various vents—mostly functional—provide a sporty look, even on more luxurious versions. The X3’s side profile is like a shrunken X5, down to its tall greenhouse.

Inside, the 10.3-inch display can be swapped out for an even bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen on some versions. The basic look and feel is conservative and convenient, though, with few surprises—and plenty of trim colors and options available.

X3s make use of turbo-4 and turbo-6 engines. There’s not a slow one in the bunch, with even the least-powerful X3 sDrive30i zipping to 60 mph in just 6.0 seconds. M cars are quicker yet, with the Competition Pack on the X3 M doing the deed in a fleet 3.9 seconds. Look to the just-right M40i if you’ve already started adding plenty of options to a base model, though. The price gap may not be as extreme as you originally thought.

Hefty steering and a comfy ride mean any X3 is a joy to drive, though.

These crossover SUVs can easily accommodate four in comfort, and the split-folding rear seats grow the cargo area from about 29 cubic feet to nearly 63 cubes.

Excellent crash-test scores combine with standard automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitors to land the X3 high on our chart for safety. Additional driver-assistance tech is a costly option, though, and BMW says the ongoing chip shortage may make some combinations impossible to order at various points during the model year.

How much does the 2023 BMW X3 cost?

BMW will build you a base X3 with rear-wheel drive for $46,395, or $2,000 more with all-wheel drive. You’ll get a decent screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and 19-inch wheels, but a sunroof, leather, and additional adjustment for the front seats all cost extra. Budget around $53,000 for one with popular options.

Where is the 2023 BMW X3 made?

In South Carolina.

Styling

The BMW X3 wears conservative lines inside and out.

Is the BMW X3 a good-looking car?

It’s a nice offering, with clean, angular lines outside plus a pretty, well-organized interior. It’s a 7 on the TCC scale.

An update last year brought some of BMW’s now-trademark angularity to the X3’s front end, but the automaker keeps things far more conventional here than in most of its other models. Big kidney grille inserts upfront give way to narrow headlights. Order the M Sport package (or the M40i) and BMW will paint nearly everything to match, plus it installs a different, chunkier front bumper.

The X3 is handsome and fairly sedate inside. More buttons and knobs exist here than in most rivals, and we’re OK with that. Controls live in organized pods separated by hints of matte silver trim. Sure, there are basic tans and blacks, but the X3 comes alive with brown or red upholstery. Adding leather means tossing several other option packages into the mix, too, though.

Performance

There’s no slouch in this bunch, and all that power is backed up by good handling.

The 2023 BMW X3 delivers good acceleration and handling in any form. Hotter M versions are better yet, though the stiff-riding X3 M is best for smooth roads. The X3 earns a 7 thanks to its good standard performance and nimble handling.

Is the BMW X3 4WD?

Rear-wheel drive is standard with the turbo-4, but all other versions are all-wheel drive.

How fast is the BMW X3?

It’s far from slow. The base 2.0-liter turbo-4 churns out 248 hp to the rear or all four wheels ($2,000 more) via an 8-speed automatic transmission. This match made in heaven produces 60 mph sprints of just 6.0 seconds, which makes the X3 quick enough for just about any need.

The X3 M40i swaps in a 382-hp turbo-6 that rips to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. It’s noticeably snappier from any speed, and it emits a lovely snarl.

Base models ride well even with the fairly big 19-inch wheels that now come standard. Optional adaptive dampers take the edge off, though they’re bundled in a pricey package that requires several other boxes to be clicked first. BMW fits those dampers and a fluster-free variable-assist steering system to the X3 M40i; so equipped it may very well be the automaker’s best all-rounder these days.

Step up to the X3 M and the turbo-6 jumps to as much as 503 hp in Competition pack form. Acceleration from any speed is effortless, but all that power is accompanied by a jarringly firm suspension. It’s grippy and track-ready, but do you really need to hit the track in your X3?

Comfort & Quality

The 2023 BMW X3 has just enough space for passengers and cargo in its well-outfitted interior.

BMW carves out decent passenger space inside the X3, which has comfy front seats and a big trunk. It’s an 8 thanks to good interior volume for everyone—and their gear.

The front seats include standard power adjustment, though BMW charges extra for lumbar adjustment, leather, heating, and cooling. Spend accordingly.

Second-row occupants will find an above-average 36.4 inches of leg room and decent head space, which means 6-footers can sit behind other 6-footers. There’s not quite enough shoulder space for three adults to ride in comfort, though.

The cargo area grows from 28.7 cubic feet to 62.7 cubes with row two’s seatbacks flopped down.

The cabin itself has nice, low-sheen materials that can benefit from the wide array of upholstery hues BMW offers—though you may have to add far more options than you’d otherwise want to dress one up.

Safety

The 2023 BMW X3 boasts good crash-test scores.

How safe is the BMW X3?

The NHTSA and the IIHS agree: the BMW X3 is a safe choice.

This model earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. Add in standard automatic emergency braking plus blind-spot monitors and you’ll see why we score it an 8 for its safety.

Outward vision impresses thanks to narrow roof pillars.

At least to start the 2023 model year, however, BMW is limiting a package that included adaptive cruise control with stop-and go to M versions. The automaker blames the ongoing chip shortage.

Features

The 2023 BMW X3 offers big screens and a decent array of tech for the money.

BMW doesn’t skimp too much on standard equipment with its X3, though optional extras can get pricey.

A big screen, lots of available features added to decent standard spec, and a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty with three years of included scheduled maintenance earn the X3 a 9 for features.

The base 30i runs $46,395 to start. You’ll find 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a 10.3-inch display with standard Apple CArPlay and Android Auto. All-wheel drive costs $2,000 more.

Which BMW X3 should I buy?

BMW bundles many features in option packages, which you may have to add. The $1,650 convenience package adds a big sunroof and driver-side lumbar support, while the $2,650 Premium package includes an upsized screen, heated front seats and steering wheel plus the Convenience pack’s features. Add leather seats and upgraded audio and BMW will want around $53,000 with all-wheel drive.

One suggestion: forgo the $4,100 M Sport package and step up to the M40i. It already includes the sunroof, anyway, so what was a $9,000 price differential is suddenly more like $3,500. You’ll need the M40i to add adaptive cruise control, anyway.

How much is a fully loaded BMW X3?

The X3 M costs about $74,000 to start. If you’re spending that much already, you might as well pop for the $7,000 Competition Package that ups power by 30 hp to 503 hp, includes bolstered sports seats, and tosses in a snortier exhaust. All in, an X3 M can crest $88,000.

Fuel Economy

Even though there’s no hybrid version, the 2023 BMW X3 offers decent fuel economy.

Is the BMW X3 good on gas?

It’s decent, though the plug-in hybrid versions that once existed were better. The X3 rates as high as 23 mpg city, 29 highway, 25 combined with rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive slides those figures to 21/28/24 mpg.

The X3 M40i rates 21/26/23 mpg.