2025 BMW X3 SUV: Sharper But Just as Confusing
The latest version of BMW’s bestselling model sports a minor yet much-needed facelift, improved suspension, and a longer-lasting hybrid variant. Speaking of variants, the 2025 BMW X3 does away with the confusing naming scheme of the 2024 X3, only to swap in something that’s equally confusing. Prepare to see a lot of x’s.
Let’s kick things off with the most powerful – and dare I say best looking – variant, the BMW X3 M50 xDrive. The vents on either side of the front bumper are smaller than the ones in the current top dog X3 M, and that minor change makes the SUV look less like a smiling sloth and more like a bull. The X3 M50 xDrive has a new 3-liter turbocharged engine and a 48V motor for instant torque. Curiously, this top-of-the-line variant tops out at 398 horsepower and goes from 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds. That’s significantly less powerful than X3 M, which maxes out at 503 horsepower and gets to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds.
As an M Performance model, the X3 M50 xDrive gets the best suspension with variable steering, performance brakes, 20″ light-alloy wheels, and differential integrated into its rear axle. Buyers also have the option to get an adaptive suspension system with electronically-controlled dampers on this model as well.
The interior of all X3 models is… well, you can see for yourself. I’m not sure leather goes well with popsicle lighting, but I’m a peasant who can’t afford these cars so what do I know. That red streak on the steering wheel and the M badge on the wireless charging tray differentiate the X3 M50 xDrive from its more value-oriented siblings. Speaking of which, let’s move on to the BMW X3 30e xDrive. And no, there are no other X3 30 models, so I don’t know what BMW is doing here.
This is the gas-saving plug-in hybrid variant of the X3. It has a 2-liter four-cylinder engine and a 135 kW electric motor, which have a combined max output of 299 horsepower. It can go up to 56 miles purely on battery, and comes with 11 kW AC charging capability. It’s worth noting that the X3 30e xDrive has a slightly smaller cargo space than the rest of the X3 variants, with a standard volume of 16.2 cubic feet that can be increased to 56.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The other 2025 X3 variants on the other hand start at 20.1 cubic feet and max out at 60 cubic feet.
The X3 30e xDrive’s interior is not that different from its gas-hungry siblings, with that cleaner steering wheel probably its biggest differentiator. Finally, we have the X3 20 xDrive and the X3 20d xDrive, the latter being the diesel variant. Both of them have only a 2 L four-cylinder engine to go with the 48 V electric motor for a combined max output of 208 hp.
All X3 models come standard with an 8-speed transmission controlled via paddle shifters, and the eponymous xDrive AWD system. Buyers can also expect a barrage of assistive functions for parking and reversing, while optional assists are available for steering, lane control, speed limit, as well as remote parking.
These four variants of the 2025 BMW X3 will be available in the US and Europe starting in the fourth quarter of this year, with an inline six-cylinder diesel variant to follow shortly.
