Overview

What's New for 2024

As the high-performance variant of the BMW X3 luxury SUV, the X3 M comes in just one well-equipped trim. It retails for $75,500 and includes driver safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and parking sensors.

The LED headlights have automatic high beams. Fog lamps, rain-sensing wipers, and all-wheel drive assist in lousy weather. BMW also includes a motion-activated power liftgate.

The cabin has soft leather, 14-way heated front seats, and driver's seat memory. The driver can open the doors and turn on the vehicle without taking the key from their pocket. The X3 M also comes with three climate zones, including settings for back-seat passengers.

Carbon fiber and leatherette are found throughout the X3 M's tasteful interior. Tech features include a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, Bluetooth, a CD player, satellite radio, a 10.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and a wireless internet hotspot.

On top of what comes standard, BMW offers many desirable options, the most notable of which is the Competition package, which gives the X3 M a 30-horsepower bump, a race-tuned exhaust, black accents, upgraded seats, and fancier leather. The Executive package adds a heated steering wheel, hands-free operation of the infotainment system, a panoramic moonroof, automatic parking assistance, and a wireless smartphone charger.

The X3 M has a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 473 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. Power goes through an eight-speed automatic transmission to an all-wheel-drive system. This powertrain provides rapid acceleration, and the suspension uses active dampers to adjust to changing road conditions. The X3 M has a limited-slip differential that significantly improves grip.

The EPA estimates the X3 M should achieve 14/19 mpg city/highway.

Like the subdued exterior styling that belies its formidable power, the X3 M's cabin is another study in restraint. The steering wheel and other controls are straightforward and practical. The wheel is one of the many M performance items, with thick bolsters for a more comfortable grip. There are subtle changes from the standard X3, like the seats, which are sportier and have deeper side bolsters for better support.

The interior space is excellent. Front passengers have over 41 inches of headroom and nearly as much legroom. The X3 M is comfortable for tall drivers. The rear seat is understandably not quite as roomy, but it still offers people enough space to ride comfortably. Similarly, the cargo area has plenty of space, with 28.7 cubic feet. With the back seat folded, that space expands to an impressive 62.7 cubic feet – not bad for a compact SUV.