BMW X3 Review, For Sale, Colours, Interior, Specs & News

Best Medium SUV Under $130K Finalist

BMW X3 Review, For Sale, Colours, Interior, Specs & News

FROM $88,100

Despite a less than auspicious debut in 2004, the BMW X3 medium SUV has gone on to become one of the mainstays of the German brand, particularly in SUV-mad Australia.

The X3 was BMW's second SUV after the X5, and the success of both these vehicles prompted the once conservative car-only BMW to launch a family of X-branded SUVs.

The five-door five-seater had a period of lagging behind rivals like Audi and Mercedes-Benz in the sales race, thanks mainly to a limited model line-up and the fact that the second-generation (F25) hung around for too long.

Since the launch of the 2018 X3 (G01), the still "mid-size" SUV dwarfs even the first-generation X5. It also now sits on BMW's 'CLAR' global platform which underpins everything from the BMW 8-Series to the A90 Toyota Supra.

7.5L/100km (combined)
SUV
8 Speed Automatic
Premium Unleaded Petrol
Rating Summary
Price and features
8
Practicality
8
Driving
9
Safety
7
Overview
Likes
M performance
Rear seat knee/headroom
Versatile family/driver’s car
Dislikes
No ANCAP
Prefers premium fuel
Rear seat shoulder room for three adults

BMW X3 Reviews

LUXURY
BMW X3 2026 review: M50 xDrive
8.1/10
5 Jul 2025
LUXURY
BMW X3 M50 xDrive 2025 review: snapshot
7.5/10
17 Mar 2025
LUXURY
BMW X3 30e xDrive 2025 review: snapshot
7.5/10
15 Mar 2025
LUXURY
BMW X3 20 xDrive 2025 review: snapshot
7.5/10
13 Mar 2025
LUXURY
BMW X3 2025 review - Australian first drive
7.5/10
11 Mar 2025
EV
BMW X3 2022 review: xDrive30e Plug-in Hybrid
8.0/10
16 Jun 2022
EV
BMW iX3 2022 review
8.0/10
17 Feb 2022
LUXURY
BMW X3 M 2020 review: road test
7.8/10
5 Nov 2019
CAR REVIEWS
BMW X3M 2020 review
7.6/10
30 Aug 2019
LUXURY
BMW X3 M40i 2018 review
8.1/10
7 Sep 2018
FAMILY
BMW X3 sDrive20i 2018 review
8.0/10
7 Aug 2018
See all BMW X3 Reviews

BMW X3 FAQs

What car should I buy for $70,000?

You’ve pretty much covered the field there, so it should come down to what you want from your car. Do you want comfort, safety, fuel efficiency, offroad capability, cabin space? If you are mostly driving on the highway, then a diesel SUV is probably the best bet. I would rule out a dual-cab ute because of comfort, unless you need the flexibility a ute gives you. I would rule out a hybrid, they’re not at their most efficient on the highway; they’re better suited to town use. Based on your annual mileage I wouldn’t keep the car any more than 3-4 years, that way you’ll have a decent resale value when you get out of it.

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BMX X3 2015: is it good around town?

The diesel is fine around town. Being just three years old there shouldn't be anything wrong, so apart from overall condition of the body, paint, and interior make sure it has been routinely serviced.

 

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See all BMW X3 FAQs
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. CarsGuide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

BMW X3 Interior

The G45 BMW X3's opulent interior design is a mix of soft-touch materials and high-gloss hard surfaces in a variety of surface finishes and tastefully contrasting tones. The seats are upholstered in synthetic leather as standard, but genuine leather is available as an option.

BMW X3 Colours

The G45 BMW X3 range exterior colours include non-metallic 'Alpine White' as standard, with optional metallic colours comprising 'Black Sapphire', 'Arctic Race Blue', 'Sophisto Grey', 'Dune Grey', 'M Brooklyn Grey' and 'Fire Red'.

Alpine White
Arctic Race Blue
Black Sapphire
Dune Grey
Fire Red
M Brooklyn Grey
Sophisto Grey Brillant Effect
Tanzanite Blue

BMW X3 Boot Space

The BMW X3 range offers internal load volumes from 460 litres up to 1600 litres for the 30e xDrive. The 20 xDrive and M50 xDrive models share larger load volumes from 570 up to 1700 litres.

BMW X3 boot space

BMW X3 Accessories

The entry-level model in the BMW X3 range is the 20 xDrive, with standard features that include 19-inch M alloy wheels, adaptive suspension, curved dash display that combines a 12.3-inch driver's instrument display and 14.9-inch multimedia display, M Sport leather-rimmed steering wheel and front seat heating to name a few. The top-shelf M50 xDrive adds 21-inch alloys, panorama glass roof, premium 15-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system, metallic paint choices and much more.

BMW X3 Engine

The BMW X3 engine range comprises the 20 xDrive's 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 48V mild-hybrid technology and outputs of 140kW/310Nm. The 30e xDrive's 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine employs BMW's fifth-gen eDrive plug-in hybrid technology to produce 220kW/450Nm. The top-of-the-range M50 xDrive is equipped with a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol engine, also with 48V mild-hybrid assistance, that delivers 293kW/580Nm.

BMW X3 Fuel consumption

The BMW X3 is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by Diesel and PULP and Hybrid fuel type(s). It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 6.6L/100km for SUV
Year Body Type Fuel Consumption* Engine Fuel Type Transmission
2026 Body Type: SUV Fuel Consumption: 7.5L/100km Engine: 2.0L Fuel Type: PULP Transmission: 8 SP AUTO
2026 Body Type: SUV Fuel Consumption: 1.6L/100km Engine: 2.0L Fuel Type: Hyb/PULP Transmission: 8 SP AUTO
2026 Body Type: SUV Fuel Consumption: 6.6L/100km Engine: 3.0L Fuel Type: Diesel Transmission: 8 SP AUTO
2025 Body Type: SUV Fuel Consumption: 7.5L/100km Engine: 2.0L Fuel Type: PULP Transmission: 8 SP AUTO
2025 Body Type: SUV Fuel Consumption: 1.1L/100km Engine: 2.0L Fuel Type: Hyb/PULP Transmission: 8 SP AUTO
2025 Body Type: SUV Fuel Consumption: 6.7L/100km Engine: 3.0L Fuel Type: Diesel Transmission: 8 SP AUTO
2024 Body Type: SUV Fuel Consumption: 7.5L/100km Engine: 2.0L Fuel Type: PULP Transmission: 8 SP AUTO
2024 Body Type: SUV Fuel Consumption: 1.1L/100km Engine: 2.0L Fuel Type: Hyb/PULP Transmission: 8 SP AUTO
2024 Body Type: SUV Fuel Consumption: 5.9L/100km Engine: 2.0L Fuel Type: Diesel Transmission: 8 SP AUTO
2023 Body Type: SUV Fuel Consumption: 10.6L/100km Engine: 3.0L Fuel Type: PULP Transmission: 8 SP AUTO
2023 Body Type: SUV Fuel Consumption: 3.2L/100km Engine: 2.0L Fuel Type: Hyb/PULP Transmission: 8 SP AUTO
2023 Body Type: SUV Fuel Consumption: 5.9L/100km Engine: 2.0L Fuel Type: Diesel Transmission: 8 SP AUTO
2023 Body Type: SUV Fuel Consumption: 10.6L/100km Engine: 3.0L Fuel Type: Transmission: 8 SP AUTO
2022 Body Type: SUV Fuel Consumption: 10.6L/100km Engine: 3.0L Fuel Type: PULP Transmission: 8 SP AUTO
2022 Body Type: SUV Fuel Consumption: 3.2L/100km Engine: 2.0L Fuel Type: Hyb/PULP Transmission: 8 SP AUTO
2022 Body Type: SUV Fuel Consumption: 5.9L/100km Engine: 2.0L Fuel Type: Diesel Transmission: 8 SP AUTO
*Combined fuel consumption
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BMW X3 Seats

The G45 BMW X3 can accommodate up to five occupants, on seating that comprises two front buckets and a rear bench. There is no third-row/seven-seater option.

BMW X3 Speed

BMW claims 0-100km/h acceleration times for the G45 X3 range of 8.5 seconds for the 20 xDrive, 6.2 seconds for the 30e xDrive and 4.6 seconds for the M50 xDrive. Top speed for the fastest of this trio, the M50 xDrive, is 250km/h.

BMW X3 Range

The BMW X3 fleet offers different driving ranges from its 65-litre petrol tank. The 20 xDrive's official combined average consumption of 7.5L/100km results in a theoretical driving range of around 860km using 95 RON petrol, while the top-shelf M50 xDrive's 8.2L/100km results in a theoretical range of around 790km using 98 RON. The 30e xDrive PHEV has a claimed electric-only driving range of up to 91km and engine-only petrol consumption of up to 7.9L/100km when the traction battery is exhausted. So, according to our calculations, they produce a combined theoretical driving range of more than 900km.