BMW X3 review – Interior & comfort

The latest BMW models haven’t tended to be for shrinking violets, with bold exterior styling, especially when it comes to the front-end. The X3 is no exception, with a pronounced kidney grille that takes inspiration from the iX, and a set of angular headlights that give the X3 a healthy dose of aggression.

Further back, the X3’s lines have been tightened up and decluttered, so instead of curves, the car now has a more technical appearance. BMW has focused on lighting too, with an ‘iconic glow’ for the kidney grille, wide rear light clusters and headlights with blue internal elements (on some versions) for a more eye-catching look.

Pick the M Sport trim and the wheels are swapped for 19-inch items, while the front bumper is reprofiled, there are gloss black exterior trim pieces and painted side skirts, along with a new rear spoiler. The ‘Pro’ pack also adds the illuminated grille and painted red brake calipers.

The iX’s influence can be clearly felt inside the cabin, too, with wraparound lighting for the centre console and an ‘interaction bar’ spanning the dashboard for a premium look. Even the door handles and air vents sit within an illuminated triangle, and while this looks neat, we did find this made them and the touch-sensitive controls within them somewhat tricky to use.

Quality and materials are now right at the top of the upmarket mid-size SUV class, with even the entry-level xLine trim feeling plush, expensive and free from any creaks or unwanted vibrations. We’d prefer a few more physical controls and better door handles, but at least the touchscreen-based climate control is easy enough to use even on the move. 

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Is the BMW X3 infotainment and sat-nav system easy to use?

Gone is a more traditional look with a separate instrument binnacle, as the X3 takes on the digital-first look of BMW’s electric models. A curved swathe of glass now dominates the tall dashboard, with a 12.3-inch driver’s display and 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen sitting side-by-side. The former can be controlled from the steering wheel, while the middle screen is fairly easy to reach from the driver’s seat, or there’s also a rotary controller that’s a bit easier to use whilst driving.

It’s running BMW’s OS9 software, which is snappy and looks great coupled with the punchy and high-resolution screens. Navigation to settings is pretty straightforward, although we think BMW has missed a trick with driving modes, which require the driver to press a ‘My Mode’ button and choose it on the screen, which then takes you out of the sat-nav – a pop-up overlay would be less intrusive.  

Is the BMW X3 well equipped?

When even the entry-level xLine trim starts at around £48,000 you expect a certain level of kit, and the X3 largely delivers on this front. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats and the full-sized curved panel infotainment screens with navigation and the interaction bar. Automatic air conditioning, a powered tailgate and BMW’s Comfort Access are also thrown in, along with LED exterior lighting and roof rails.

Step up to M Sport and the main changes are to the X3’s appearance, capped off with 19-inch alloy wheels, an M Sport steering wheel, Alcantara upholstery and aluminium trim highlights. The high-performance M50 model is essentially its own trim level, too, with adaptive headlights, 20-inch wheels, a different design of kidney grille with horizontal bars and illumination, and quad tailpipes at the rear.

What options should you choose on the BMW X3?

We’re a sensible bunch at Carbuyer, so we wouldn’t recommend getting too carried away with options – a case in point being the 21-inch alloy wheels at a cool £2,600 that are likely to make the ride less comfortable. 

Considering non-metallic Alpine White is the only ‘free’ colour, most buyers will need to splash out just under £900 for a different shade, though, and the Comfort Plus Pack doesn’t actually look like bad value. For just over £1,300 BMW will throw in adaptive headlights, a Harman Kardon stereo upgrade, front lumbar support, rear heated seats and ventilated front seats, rear side window blinds and a way of mounting and charging tablets and smartphones to the front seatbacks.