2019 BMW X3 XDrive30i

Price as tested: $59,620

Engine / Horsepower / Torque: 2.0 liter Turbo 4 / 248 hp / 258 ft/lbs of torque

MPG: 27 in mixed driving (!)

Text, Photography and Video: Yousef Alvi

I’m a fan of crossovers.  There I said it…it’s shocking because the average motoring journalist tends be allergic to them.  I’m a fan of them because they just work.  They excel on what matters the most to buyers…ease.  The average buyer is looking for a vehicle to make their life easier and crossovers do that perfectly.  Let me explain.

Crossovers excel at entry and egress, loading children into and out of and cargo holding over the standard sedan.  For those who argue about performance or efficiency…I like to point out this BMW X3.  This performs just as well as it’s 3 series counterpart and we got 27mpg in it on average.  27.  Miles.  Per.  Gallon!  No it’s quite as quick as the 3 series but for the average consumer it’s quick enough.  If this XDrive30i doesn’t meet your fancy, then there is a tidal wave of options and trim levels you can choose from to meet your every need.  From speed demon (X3M) to the eco minded (plug in hybrid).  The 2019 BMW X3 has a model for everyone out there and that is why I have falling for it.

Let’s discuss the backbone of the lineup…this XDrive30i.  It has it all.  You want tech?  

How does gesture controls, a 10 inch touchscreen and control knob display, wireless Apple CarPlay and a host of safety features sound to you?  To me, it sound amazing because it is.  The X3 is a technological wunderkind of this segment.  It has tech but unlike BMWs of the past…it’s tech you can actual use without reading the manual.  The latest iteration of iDrive is one of the best infotainment rigs available today with it’s high resolution display, quick rendering and fluid graphics.  Gesture controls may sound gimmicky but once you get into a car without one…you’ll miss it immediately.  The X3 also comes with a host of active safety measures as well.  From Adaptive Cruise with full stop capability and low speed (traffic jam mode) to Lane Keep Assist along with full braking for front and rear obstacles…the X3 is in constant protection of its occupants.  

Okay performance?  Powering this model is the industry mandated 2.0 turbo 4 cylinder making 248 horsepower and 258 ft/lbs of torque.  That is mated to the glorious quick and smooth ZF 8 speed automatic and AWD.  All of that gives you a punchy power around town and phenomenal gas mileage.  We achieved 27 mpg on average (city and hwy) in our week with the X3.  

How about comfort and space?  If you opt for the Luxury Package then the seats are nothing short of fantastic.  The side bolsters are adjustable, there is a thigh extension and the overall cushioning combines comfort and performance into one glorious package.  The rear seats are not quite as comfortable as the front but it gets the job done and there is a decent amount of room to fit full size humans in the back.  On the utility front the cargo area is ample sized at 62.7 cubic feet of room.

Since no vehicle is ever perfect…now onto the parts that annoy me.  One major annoyance and one minor.  

The major annoyance is the random throttle lag.  Happening most often during a full stop and then taking a turn, the X3 just doesn’t respond.  So merging into traffic can be a hair raising experience because it’s 2.5 seconds of absolutely nothing before the drivetrain kicks in.  I am sure a simple software update will fix this but the unfortunate part is it’s not relegated to this model…the M40i I tested 2 years ago suffered from the same issue.  

It’s so bad I’m convinced the following happens in the ECU each time someone floors the throttle:

The small annoyance is the lack of seat ventilation.  Most every other competitor in this segment offers the option but the X3 does not.  You would have to move to the X5 to get it and that is just petty.  

So overall what do I think of the 2019 BMW X3?  There is a model for everyone out there…go ahead and choose yours…you won’t be disappointed.