BMW X3 M50 xDrive

The dynamic feel of recent BMWs is amazing.

The new BMW X3 has undergone its first full model change in seven years. This time, we test drove the top-of-the-line M50 xDrive.

BMW’s new X3 has arrived in Japan. All fourth-generation X3 models will be XDrive and mild hybrid. Engines available are inline-four diesel and gasoline, as well as inline-six gasoline. GENROQ’s preference is for the straight-six.

The styling is typical of recent BMWs, with a strong impact on the face. However, I’ve gotten used to seeing this big face, and I don’t dislike it. In night shots like this one, the iconic glow framing the kidney grille really asserts the latest generation BMW look.

Although a large area of the front mask is blacked out, only about 30% of the holes are actually blacked out. It seems that thorough measures have been taken to reduce air resistance, creating a dynamic appearance. The body color of the test car was dune gray, while the interior was espresso brown. It was a very stylish combination.

The car is fitted with a sporty, flat-bottomed multi-function M-spoke leather steering wheel, and the front sports seats offer exceptional comfort. — [1]

When I checked the controls from the driver’s seat, I was relieved to see that the “usual dial” was properly installed behind the shift lever. This was omitted from the X1 and X2 due to differences in the OS, which didn’t feel right.

The curved display, which is made up of two horizontal panels connecting the displays, has a high-quality feel with its angular shape reminiscent of the 7 Series. On the other hand, the thick, U-shaped light strip that extends to the center of the dash and door panels, the interaction bar, feels a bit tedious.

For this test drive, we decided to start in Ginza and tour the city center at night. I was expecting it to be just a regular X3, but the driving impression was beyond my expectations. In a word, it was refined. It was so smooth that it was hard to believe it was a gasoline-engine car.

BMW’s dynamic feel over the past decade or so has been unique. It is characterized by a chassis that feels much lighter than its actual weight, a chassis that feels stiff, and handling that eliminates unnecessary movement. With each new model, I’ve always felt that this tendency has become even stronger, but I realized that the step taken by the new X3 this time is bigger than ever before. I couldn’t help but exclaim, “This is amazing!”

As soon as I joined the Shuto Expressway, I changed my driving mode from Efficient to Sport and stepped deeply on the throttle. The straight-six turbo engine revved up instantly and smoothly without any noticeable vibration, and the MHEV motor smoothed out any turbo lag, weak torque at low rpm, and even the gaps in shifting. Add to that the smoothness of the gear changes, and the overall quality of the powertrain felt seamless, almost like a BEV.

Breaking the silence, using the paddles behind the steering wheel to rev the straight-six engine aggressively brings to light the slightly higher-pitched, pleasant sound and sharpness of the six-cylinder engine, conveying a lively feeling befitting the M in the car’s name. Even so, the engine’s lateral vibrations are negligible, resulting in a refined driving feel not found in previous X3 models.

The highlight is the extremely satisfying straight six

The highlight of the X3 M50 is the 3.0-liter straight-six engine, which delivers an incredibly pleasant driving experience. The tires are Pirelli P Zero. — [2]

On the other hand, cornering also felt remarkably refined. Regardless of speed, there was almost no sense of body roll, and the car was able to exit corners surprisingly flatly. The X3 M50 is equipped with M Sport suspension, but the springs don’t feel particularly stiff, and even with the damper damping increased in Sport mode, there’s no sense of stiffness at all. Many of the latest crossover SUVs minimize body roll without the aid of electronic stabilizers, but the new X3 seems to have raised the bar even further.

The combination of an incredibly smooth straight-six engine and a sophisticated chassis is a BMW specialty that has been around since the 1970s. The 3 Series sedan was once the main model, but if that has shifted to the X3, it’s only natural that a lot of effort has been put into the finishing touches of the new X3, and perhaps all future BMW models will make great strides at this level.

One thing that bothered me a little was the size. Although the new X3 hasn’t grown much in size from its predecessor, its body is close to that of the original X5. This means that for everyday use in Japan, the X1 or X2 would be the perfect size.

My previous drive impressions of the X1 and X2 were excellent. However, when I got into the new X3, I noticed a fundamental difference in the quality of the car. This must be related to the difference in the engine’s longitudinal or transverse orientation, i.e., the primary drive wheels, and it also likely includes the flavor that comes from the difference in the target customer base. My positive impression of the X2 remains unchanged, but I can say with confidence that the new X3 will resonate better with car enthusiasts who have a traditional view of BMW.

Already a best-seller

It is now a rare opportunity to enjoy this exquisite unit that produces 381 PS/540 Nm for a vehicle price of less than 10 million yen.

After the test drive, I checked the rear seats and luggage space again, and it was definitely more spacious than the BMW 3 Series. So could the X3 be an alternative to the X5?

I was quite impressed with the new X3. But wait, what if it had optional equipment costing about 3 million yen? That would be a letdown! I checked, but that wasn’t the case. The option price for the test drive vehicle was just over 150,000 yen. I have a feeling that the new X3 with its 6-cylinder engine will be a benchmark car for a while.

REPORT / Takuo YOSHIDA

PHOTO / Kunihisa KOBAYASHI

MAGAZINE / GENROQ April 2025 issue

SPECIFICATIONS

BMW X3 M50 xDrive

Body size: Length 4755, width 1920, height 1660mm

Wheelbase: 2865mm

Vehicle weight: 2000kg

Engine: Inline 6-cylinder DOHC turbo

Total displacement: 2997cc

Maximum output: 280kW (381PS) / 5500rpm

Maximum torque: 540Nm (55.1kgm) / 1900-4800rpm

Transmission: 8-speed AT

Drive system: AWD

Suspension type: Front MacPherson strut, rear multi-link

Brakes: Front and rear ventilated disc

Tire size: Front 255/45R20, rear 285/40R20

Vehicle price: 9,980,000 yen