BMW X Models Video Reviews

After a large car? With all the trimmings? And a price to match? You've come to the right page!

My family and I are heading overseas next week which is very exciting but there is so much to organise. This week I had to sort out all the children's things, finish all my work and get all of the shopping and cleaning and - oh fine - hair appointments done. It's a lot to organise!I was in the BMW X3 sDrive20i for the week, which is the base level in petrol. It's a five-seater mid-size SUV in competition with the Mercedes GLA, Audi Q5 and Alfa Romeo Stelvio. Here's how it did over my super busy week where I spent a lot of time in the car picking things up.

Nikki Cousins and Peter Anderson road test and review the BMW X5 M, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Richard Berry road tests and reviews the 2016 BMW X5 xDrive40e with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch.

Ash Westerman road tests and reviews the BMW X1 with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch.

The BMW X5 has always been a good choice for people looking for a sporty SUV. This new version promises to be just as good to drive as before, yet even more luxurious.

This is the beast that spearheaded prestige performance SUVs and became the benchmark for the field

A minor tizzy and tweak is all the BMW X1 gets for another three years in Australia.There is an eight-speed automatic to improve efficiency, as well as engine developments that bring more punch for less fuel across the board, but most of the work for the 2012 model of the smallest Xer is cosmetic. And minor.Even so, there is one change _ and it's a big one _ since Carsguide first drove the X1 and complained about the driving enjoyment of the 3-Series based soft-roader. The rear suspension is softer and more compliant, something that happened unnoticed - at least in Australia - a year into the X1's life in response to customer complaints.So the X1 feels a little better and drives a little better, but is it enough to unseat the Audi Q3 that's become our favourite in the class? We won't know for a while, but it won't be easy.VALUEWe're not expecting any sort of price hike when the updated X1 arrives in October. The changes to the final finishing should not have added any cost and BMW is pushing hard to maintain the price line against tough opposition from Audi with the sweet new Q3, although Mercedes-Benz still does not have the GLK which would be the logical rival to the X1 - if only the company had bothered to build it with right-hand drive.TECHNOLOGYThe upgrade from six to eight speeds in the automatic is the big change for the 2012 upgrade and it makes a significant difference, helped by a stop-start system and on-demand engine ancillaries, with BMW claiming improved power and torque from all the X1 engine choices but still with better economy and lower CO2 emissions.On the engine front, we're expecting 20i and 20d four cylinder power plants at the expense of the current 18i. The powerful 23d goes - even though it was the engine for the preview drive in Munich - and it's likely there will be a 28i petrol motor with 180 kiloWatts, and perhaps an 18d.The bottom line? The 20i petrol engine makes 135kW/270Nm, up from 110/200 in the outgoing 18i, and can be coupled to either a rear or all-wheel drive package. BMW says a rear-drive manual will sprint to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds and return 7.1 litres/100km.The 20d is the economy headliner at 5.0L/100km for an auto all-wheel drive, with output up to 135kW/380Nm from 130/350. BMW says owners will be able to access Google, Twitter and Facebook in the car, although those connections are not confirmed for Australia.DESIGNYou would need a keen eye - or a BMX expert with a laser pointer and a giant screen - to pick the changes for twenty-twelve. The X1's headlamps are new and get the signature 'corona' daylight rings, the nose and tail look a little more upmarket, and inside there is more chrome and high-gloss black paintwork to try and give a more upmarket look.BMW says the new console is more driver focussed and there is more soft-feel plastic, while also touting new X and Sport Line packages of optional equipment. It's the same approach as the rest of the family, mostly just chrome-and-black accents, kick panels on the door sills and nicer steering wheels - but it's hard to know where the standard car finishes and the extra-cost stuff starts.SAFETYThe X1 has a solid five-star safety rating and that should not change when the new model lands in Australia.DRIVINGThe tweaked X1 is better than expected, but not because of any of the latest changes. It's down to the smoother ride that came last year, when BMW engineers tweaked the rear suspension. It was a major job, much more than you would expect, because it meant thicker sheet metal in the rear wheel housings that had been lifted complete from the 3-Series Touring wagon.Carsguide should have known, but even BMW Australia was not aware of the running change that smoothes the X1 from a rough rider into a compliant cruiser, at least on smooth German bitumen. We could be wrong for Australian roads, but probably not.The 2012 update is highlighted in Munich with a long line of X1s, but all of them run the 25d engine that's not expected in Australia. So the drive is enjoyable, but mostly focussed on the eight-speed auto and testing that suspension change.The gearbox is good, either left on its own or encouraged with manual shifts, and definitely helps keep things quiet and comfortable. The X1 definitely has good grip and brakes, it gets along well, and you cannot argue with the 300,000 people who have bought one since it was spun into the X-car range using bits and pieces mostly from the 3 Series bin.But some of our earlier criticisms of the X1, including the inadequate boot space and tight rear seats, remain. And, after a recent run in the impressive and roomier Q3 we cannot see - at least for now - the X1 trumping its Audi rival. And don't forget there is also the ripper new Range Rover Evoque for people who want maximum SUV style and are prepared to compromise on cabin space.VERDICTNot much to see, but enough to feel to justify a second look at the X1.

Sure, Euro SUVs are seen more double-parked outside private schools or in carparks at posh shopping centres than they are covered in dust and belting along a rough dirt road in the Bush. But they need to be able to handle the latter scenario if they are to have credibility. After all, it's what the original "crossover" vehicles tried to achieve - a foot in each camp. The BMW X3 indeed is a good allrounder: it has the badge respect to be seen among the upper demographic, it is comfortable and has enough gadgets and technology to impress. Its various versions have weird names. We drove the X3 xDrive 20d, which in English means all-wheel-drive, two-litre diesel. As a mid-size luxury  SUV wagon where fuel economy is a criteria, it's a good 'un. Bluetooth connection and USB interface you'd expect, and get. The xDrive is an all-wheel-drive system with variable torque distribution. An eight-speed automatic Steptronic transmission is a highwater mark in this field. Hill descent control underlines this car can get its wheels grubby. The 135kW power and 380Nm torque also impress from a two-litre diesel that is frugal (helped by stop-start) and low emission. It has keyless go. The $62,200 tag makes this the entry level for the X3 series and includes cruise control with downhill braking function, park distance control front and rear, rear view camera, dual zone auto aircon, personalisation of key controls and six-speaker sound system. And the BMW badge. As always BMW hurts with the cost of options, on the test vehicle $2350 for 1in larger diameter wheels, $1900 for metallic paint, $3000 for sunroof, $2000 for sat-nav etc.Leather is not standard on this version. Power seat adjustment adds $2700. Maybe buyers of this X3 are not choosing the diesel because it saves a few bucks at the pumps.When the X3 first came out, observers wondered why, because it was close in size and format to the X5. So what did BMW do for this second-generation X3? Make it bigger - to allow room for the smaller X1. X3 has no feeling of being the X5's poor kid brother.It's an SUV wagon shape with good space inside, though the centre rear seat passenger gets shortchanged. The tailgate is a bit of  reach and struggle to pull down for shorties. Under the car is flat for aero gains. It has no spare wheel - worrying for going off bitumen in the big land. X3 has airbags for driver and front passenger, head airbags front and rear plus side airbags for driver and front passenger. It has stability control, a flat tyre indicator, active headrests, ABS, hill-start assist,  all-wheel-drive grip, rear-view camera and cornering brake control. The new model has not been ANCAP crash tested (the original X3 scored four stars). On a flowing bitumen road the driver forgets it's an SUV, the vehicle responding more like a semi-sporty sedan. In top - eighth - gear, it settles at just 1700rpm at 110km/h; good for just a two-litre. Claimed fuel economy is 5.6 litres/100km but we averaged 7, still not bad for a 1725kg AWD wagon.Yet 0-100km/h in 8.8sec is tidy, too. Stability control tames off-bitumen cornering but switch out the DSC and some wheelspin can be achieved to aid on softer surfaces. The diesel engine is just evident on cold start and idling but at constant throttle remains well behaved. You rarely need to go above 2500-3000rpm. On gravel, this X3 is well poised and exudes confidence.A decent-sized BMW SUV giving all-wheel-drive without paying stupid money, though watch out for costly options. It does the job of luxury family wagon and will eat up a graded dirt road. Performance belies the size of the diesel engine, yet it remains frugal.

The middle child of the BMW X range has been given some special treatment. A new X3 has been launched in the US and is on its way to Australia around March next year. It is the second generation of the mid-sized SUV that sits comfortably between the small X1 and the large X5.BMW has substantially improved the crossover wagon, stretching and widening the body to the extent that it is very nearly as big as the first generation X5. There is new front suspension, fresh steering, more interior space, and an improved all-wheel drive system.VALUEBMW is yet to lock in prices at this stage, but sources suggest that prices, at least on the entry level petrol and diesel models will not increase over the current level. That means you can expect to get the base diesel, the best seller, for about $62,000 and the base petrol for about $69,000. This is a fair amount of cash, but you do get a prestige SUV that is nearly as big as the original X5.TECHNOLOGY BMW Australia will bring in the 20D model which runs a turbo diesel four-cylinder with 135kW and 380Nm that uses just 5.6 litres per 100km.  It will also have a naturally aspirated petrol six-cylinder and a six-cylinder diesel, but these are yet to be announced.There is a six-speed manual and a new ZF eight-speed auto available overseas, but Australia will only take the automatic.  Overseas markets also have a 35is turbo petrol six-cylinder that pumps out 225kW and 400Nm, but BMW Australia has decided against importing it.The engines are available with fuel saving stop-start technology, a heads-up display which projects information on to the screen is new as is electric power steering, optional top view reversing camera and optional adjustable suspension dampers.SAFETYThe X3 comes with permanent all-wheel drive to help the driver keep out of trouble in the first place. Electronic stability control and a full suite of airbags is standard. A cruise control system that can detect objects in front and brake the car is available as an option.STYLING  BMW has moved the X3 upmarket, adding more style. The hard angular lines of the existing car have been smoothed off, while new design lines have been introduced to give the car a sleeker look.The lengthening and widening of the body helped designers give the car a more muscular look compared to the existing model. The interior has been given a mild upgrade.DRIVINGWe drove a diesel X3 with a manual transmission and a turbo petrol with an automatic.  We won’t get the turbo petrol engine or the manual transmission but we will get the diesel engine with the automatic transmission.Even though we couldn’t drive that exact car, the drive through the countryside near Atlanta in the US gave us a clear indication that BMW really has lifted its game with the new X3. The existing X3 is not very good.The first X3 seemed like a model rushed out to capitalize on the success of the X5 that was cheaper than that model but nowhere near as good. It didn’t handle all that well, the interior looked cheap and design was ugly, especially when it first came out.BMW improved it with facelifts, but it still fell short of expectations. The new car appears to change that.  It looks a whole lot better, especially when you see it in the metal. The handling has been improved substantially, although our cars had the optional adjustable dampers, the steering is sharper and the ride is more comfortable.The diesel is quite strong and it is not too loud. It isn’t much fun with a manual thanks to the traditional narrow diesel torque band that means you have to change gears almost constantly.  The turbo petrol engine is a ripper and the automatic transmission shifts quickly and smoothly.VERDICTWe will have to wait to test the exact model that will come to Australia, but it is clear that the new X3 marks a significant improvement over the existing model. The X3 used to be the poor cousin of the X5, but now it is more like a younger and smaller brother.BMW X3Prices: TBAEngine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo dieselPower: 135kW at 4000 revsTorque: 380Nm at 1750-2750 revsTransmission: Eight speed automaticFuel consumption: 5.6 litres per 100km (claimed)