Summary
The BMW X3 is a mid-size SUV/crossover, and this is the former third-generation model, which launched in 2017. It was replaced by the fourth-generation X3 in late 2024.
The X3 received positive reviews from the UK motoring media, ranging from good to outstanding. It received particular praise for its driving dynamics and high-quality interior. The main criticisms were directed at the relatively poor standard equipment list, with many features only available as expensive options.
An electric version of the BMW X3, called the iX3, joined the range in the UK in Summer 2021. We have a separate page for that car here. A facelifted X3 range arrived in the UK in the Autumn of 2021, which features lightly revised styling and more standard equipment.
No longer on sale, the third-generation BMW X3 holds a Used Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 63%. It scores well for CO2 emissions and media reviews, but its Euro NCAP safety rating has now expired due to age and it’s expensive to live with.
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price when new: From £48,005 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2017
Last updated: Autumn 2021
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The X3 ticks so many boxes that one might wonder why it isn’t more feted. Perhaps it remains an under-the-radar success because it does just about everything right, and simply becomes a part of the owner’s daily life.”
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Auto Express
Score: 8 / 10
“The latest version of the BMW X3 improves refinement, ride quality and style. Cutting-edge technology marks it out as one of the best in the business in this area, too.”
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Model reviewed: xDrive30e 2020
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW X3 xDrive30e plug-in petrol SUV offers potentially huge savings in running costs and maintains the typical X3 strengths of comfort, build quality and tech.”
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Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“The latest version brings new levels of refinement, ride quality and style, as well as a raft of new technologies that return the model to the ranks of the market leaders.”
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Model reviewed: M Competition
Score: 7 / 10
“This new X3 M Competition is what you’d expect, given its target audience, blending a user-friendly all-wheel-drive system with steering and suspension that do well to disguise the heft.”
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Model reviewed: xDrive30e plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“The xDrive 30e will no doubt appeal to SUV buyers currently unable to commit to an electric car. It looks and drives like an X3, and that’s no bad thing at all.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The X3 sits in the middle of the incredibly competitive mid-size SUV sector and BMW has gone all-out to make it a true premium player. As such it’s packed with the latest technology, spacious, luxurious and available with a wide range of engines.”
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Car
Model reviewed: M Competition
Score: 8 / 10
“That engine is a real treat, though – generating huge power throughout the rev range and doing so in a linear, boost-free way that feels distinctly un-turbocharged.”
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Model reviewed: M Competition
Score: 8 / 10
“Displacing three litres and boosted by two independent monoscroll turbochargers the X3M produces 503bhp and 443lb ft of torque in Competition specification.”
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Model reviewed: 20d M Sport
Score: 8 / 10
“For those who want an SUV, and want one that’s good to drive and offers great practicality – and more off-roading ability than you’ll ever need –the new BMW X3 is a fine choice.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW X3 is a great all-rounder. It offers space, versatility, refinement and engaging driving dynamics, so much so that X5 owners might be tempted to downsize.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: 2021
Score: 8 / 10
“When it comes to driving enjoyment the BMW X3 remains right at the top of the segment, while a classy interior and a still-stylish design helps matters.
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“The latest BMW X3 blends comfort, technology and real driver appeal in a very well rounded package.” (Richard Ingram)
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Model reviewed: M Competition
Score: 7.2 / 10
“The BMW X3 M Competition is a fast, practical SUV with a great engine but the ride is firm.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The BMW X3 is a comfortable and roomy family car that’s easy to drive and comfortable. Sadly, some advanced safety kit and high-tech infotainment features cost extra.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: Plug-in hybrid xDrive 30e M Sport
“Despite the compromised boot design, the BMW X3 xDrive30e is still ahead of its competition for space, range, fun and tax band.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 20d M Sport
Score: 8.2 / 10
“A car with few weaknesses, although it would have been nice if emissions had come down, and BMW could also have done more to make the new X3 look different.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: M
Score: 4 / 10
“This might sound harsh, but the X3 M feels like a product of an internal department’s will to have this small niche in the market filled, rather than a car engineered by people with the passion or interest to execute it properly.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 7 / 10
“BMW’s latest SUV should sell better than ever, but entertainment takes a back seat to practicality and tech.”
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Model reviewed: M40i
Score: 8 / 10
“Brisk with an impressive chassis but, like most SUVs, short on thrills.”
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Fleetworld
Model reviewed: X3 xDrive30e M Sport
Score: 8 / 10
“Appealing economics arrive with the plug-in X3 making it the obvious fleet choice, but other plug-in BMWs offer even more appeal.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The BMW X3 is the brand’s mid-size SUV, so it’s big enough to give you a great view out over other traffic and handle family transport duties with aplomb, yet small enough to feel nimble to drive and easy to park.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 10 / 10
“Third-generation BMW X3 combines rugged off-road looks with sporting presence.”
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Model reviewed: 30d
“The biggest question posed by the excellent new BMW X3 is why would you need the slightly bigger X5? The new X3 is almost extraordinarily good, as if BMW engineers have used a check-list of every fault and criticism of the old X3 and corrected all of them.”
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Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW X3 stands out in a crowded sector by the way it drives. Handling is class-leading, while all engines offer strong pace and economy.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.2 / 10
“Spacious, dynamic comfortable SUV updated for 2022”
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The Sun
“Britain’s appalling roads are BMW’s gain, as the latest incarnation of its X3 does smooth-riding ‘family SUV’ as well as anything on the market.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid xDrive30e M Sport
Score: 8 / 10
“If you really want to take full advantage of the electric revolution, you’ll still need to wait for the iX3 to come along next year; doubtless, it’ll be quieter and smoother. But until then, the BMW X3 xDrive30e is a worthy stand-in – and if you need a company car right now, it’ll do the job very nicely indeed.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“Nothing exactly new, more a raised game from this premium family SUV. Quite likeable, though a little dull and not a great-looking car.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The X3 has never done BMW much credit, but the new one is a thorough enough job to take on the class best.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2017
Date expired: January 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 84%
Vulnerable road users: 70%
Safety assist: 58%
Notes on safety rating
The BMW X3 was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2017 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2024 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
However, if you are comparing a used X3 to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The BMW X3 was not tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 342
Average repair cost: £486.01
Last updated: October 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The BMW X3 has a fairly average reliability score of 68% as of January 2025, according to workshop and warranty data provided by our partner, MotorEasy. This applies to both the current (2017 onwards) generation as well as the previous models. That’s good news if you’re looking at buying a used X3.
There’s more good news. The average repair cost is less than £500, which is much better than most vehicles – regardless of price point.
When the X3 does have problems, they tend to be relatively inexpensive. Even big-ticket items like engine and gearbox repairs have cost less than on many other cars – an average of £800-£900, compared to £1,500+ on many similar cars from other manufacturers.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 35 mpg | D | 31 – 37 mpg | D – E |
| Diesel models | 45 mpg | C | 39 – 48 mpg | C – D |
| Plug-in hybrid models | 137 mpg | A | 123 – 149 mpg | A – A |
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 183 g/km | C | 173 – 210 g/km | C – D |
| Diesel models | 163 g/km | C | 152 – 192 g/km | B – C |
| Plug-in hybrid models | 47 g/km | A | 44 – 52 g/km | A – A |
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Plug-in hybrid models | 28 miles | E | 26 – 32 miles | E – E |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 37 | C | 28 – 50 | B – F |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £285 | C |
| Year 2 | £643 | C |
| Year 3 | £1,050 | C |
| Year 4 | £1,363 | C |
| Year 5 | £1,810 | C |
| Overall | £5,151 | C |
Running costs for the BMW X3 are higher than the market average, according to numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel consumption for petrol models is below par, although diesels are a bit better. The plug-in hybrid looks good on paper, but this is deceptive – every plug-in hybrid looks great in theory, but this is because of rubbish EU/UK government lab testing. You certainly won’t get 141 miles of driving from one gallon (4.5 litres) of fuel and a bit of electricity…
The battery range of the plug-in hybrid is poor when compared to its SUV rivals too, offering 28 miles on a full battery. Should you opt for the X3 plug-in hybrid, you’ll still need to charge it almost daily to get best use out of the electric motor and battery. By comparison, an equivalent mid-size full EV would get more than 250 miles out of its battery so most households would only need to charge it once a week.
Scheduled servicing costs are average when compared to the market as a whole.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the BMW X3 has received
2018
- Auto Express Awards – Best Mid-Size Premium SUV
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the BMW X3, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alfa Romeo Stelvio | Audi Q5 | BMW X4 | DS 7 Crossback | Genesis GV70 | Jaguar F-Pace | Land Rover Discovery Sport | Lexus NX | Mercedes-Benz GLC | Porsche Macan | Range Rover Velar | Volkswagen Tiguan | Volvo XC60
Buy a BMW X3
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Lease a BMW X3
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