Overview

What's New for 2025

The 2025 BMW X3 is available in two trim levels: 30 xDrive and M50 xDrive. These are new designations for the 2025 model year, reflecting the more powerful engines. Also new for 2025, all X3s come standard with all-wheel drive. The X3 30 xDrive is the popular choice, and it is our pick as well. We'll explain why below.

30 xDrive

With a starting price of $50,675 (including a $1,175 destination fee), the X3 30 xDrive comes standard with heated sport seats trimmed in Veganza (BMW's synthetic leather), magnolia wood trim, ambient lighting, a large curved display screen, GPS navigation, premium audio system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless device charging, active blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, and 19-inch Aero Midnight Grey Bicolor wheels.

It may have a lesser-powered engine, but the X3 30 xDrive still delivers impressive performance. With its extensive feature list and comfortable interior, the 30 xDrive is the X3 we would choose, although we would add the Driver Assistance Professional package.

M50 xDrive

Priced at $65,275, the M50 xDrive features a range of performance components, including an M sport differential, adaptive M suspension, variable sport steering, M sport brakes, M Sport Package, M steering wheel, and a more powerful engine. Other upgrades over the 30 xDrive include a heated steering wheel, panoramic roof, brushed aluminum interior trim, anthracite headliner, illuminated kidney grille, and 20-inch M Jet Black Bicolor wheels.

Both variants of the 2025 BMW X3 get updated engines boasting improved performance. The 30 xDrive uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that puts out 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. That's nearly 40 lb-ft more torque than the previous model. The M50 bumps up to a six-cylinder turbo rated at 393 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. With either powertrain, the X3 can also tow up to 4,850 pounds.

Both powertrains feature a 48V mild-hybrid system with an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. Not only does this improve efficiency, but the hybrid system also provides excellent throttle response.

After spending time behind the wheel of the higher-performance X3 M50, we came away quite impressed with this compact crossover. With a wider track, updated chassis, and adaptive M suspension, the X3 delivers confidence, whether cruising on the highway or tackling a twisty country road.

With peak torque available at low RPM and the grip of all-wheel drive, the X3 gets moving very quickly. BMW says the base-level X3 will reach 60 mph in 6 seconds, while the more powerful M50 will complete the same task in just 4.4 seconds. The latter figure fits with our experience.

Pushed hard on the winding back roads of South Carolina, the X3 M50 performed beautifully, with responsive steering, strong brakes, and suspension that keeps the SUV flat in the corners. At the same time, the X3 feels right at home cruising at 70 mph, maintaining a quiet cabin and smooth ride.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive is rated at 27 mpg in city driving and 33 mpg on the highway for an average of 29 mpg combined. Those are good figures for a performance-oriented compact crossover. The more powerful X3 M50 returns slightly lower efficiency, estimated at 25/30/27 mpg city/highway/combined. During our drive in the M50, the trip computer indicated just under 27 mpg, closely aligning with the official EPA ratings.

The rival 201-horsepower 2025 Audi Q5 delivers 23 mpg during city driving and 28 mpg on the highway. The 261-hp Q5 is rated at 22/28 mpg city/highway. Both are rated at 25 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

For the 2025 model year, the BMW X3 also gets a significantly updated cabin featuring a clean, high-tech style. Highlighting the changes is the new curved screen that appears to float on the dashboard, integrating the driver and infotainment displays. Ambient lighting on the lower dashboard, center console, and surrounding door handles gives the cabin a distinctive look. There are minimal physical controls, but we're pleased to say there is still a volume control.

The standard sport seats are redesigned for the new model year, featuring perforated Veganza (BMW's synthetic leather material) trim with heating and power adjustments. They offer excellent support and are quite comfortable, even after several hours behind the wheel. A Veganza/Alcantara combination or Extended Merino leather are both available options. For the first time in a BMW, the dashboard can be covered in a woven fabric made from recycled polyester.

There's a good amount of space throughout the cabin, and the available panoramic sunroof adds to the open feeling. A large cubby featuring a wireless charger is conveniently located at the front of the center console, and the smaller gear selector adds to the clean design.

The X3 is a compact crossover, but the rear seat is surprisingly roomy. There's plenty of legroom and headroom, and outboard seats can be heated. Most adults will avoid the middle seat as it has limited legroom and a much harder cushion.

Cargo space is generous, with 31.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 67.1 cubes with the rear seats folded. That’s more space than most of the X3’s competitors, including the Genesis GV70, Porsche Macan, and Lexus RX.

All BMW X3 trim levels get the large curved screen, highlighted by the 14.9-inch infotainment display running BMW's operating system 9. While the system is built on Android open source software, this is not a Google-based system — it is built in-house by BMW. The interface is quite intuitive, with scrollable functions overlaid on the GPS map. Shortcuts at the bottom of the screen provide easy access to audio, communication, navigation, the home screen, and an index of all available applications. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard and connected wirelessly.

BMW's Intelligent Personal Assistant offers an excellent natural voice interface as an alternative to the touchscreen. Activated by saying, "Hey, BMW," the system can handle a variety of tasks, such as setting the cabin temperature, adding a destination, or making a phone call.

The available BMW Digital Premium service adds a video streaming service powered by TiVo, allowing viewing on the primary display screen when the vehicle is stopped. There's also in-car gaming, which uses your smartphone as a controller. Music streaming services like Spotify and Amazon Music are also available.

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released any crash-test ratings for the 2025 BMW X3.

Standard advanced driver-assist features include automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, speed sign recognition, blind-spot detection, backup assistant, and a rearview camera. The optional Driving Assistant Professional package includes lane centering, side collision protection, distance control, and a traffic jam assistant, which provides hands-free driving at speeds below 40 mph, ideal for use in stop-and-go traffic.

With its upgraded engines, the 2025 BMW X3 offers more power than the Audi Q5, Genesis GV70, or Lexus RX. For pure performance, the Porsche Macan has more horsepower than the X3, and while its interior may not be as luxurious, the Macan offers better handling than the BMW. The BMW X3 does have a mild hybrid powertrain, but it doesn't have a plug-in version like the Volvo XC60 or Audi Q5.

BMW X3 vs. Audi Q5

BMW X3 vs. Genesis GV70

BMW X3 vs. Lexus RX

BMW X3 vs. Porsche Macan

BMW X3 vs. Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid