2020 BMW X3 Review

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Though it doesn't stand out in any one category, the BMW X3 is a capable all-rounder. It's comfortable and enjoyable to drive. The cabin isn't as pretty as those of its contemporaries, but overall the X3 is a solid pick for a compact luxury SUV.

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2020 BMW X3 Review

byTravis Langness^{Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.}

Pros

Both available engines are powerful and fuel-efficient
Wide variety of standard and optional features for personalization
Roomy interior for both front and rear passengers

Cons

Android Auto is conspicuously absent from the options list
Questionable value proposition of the plug-in hybrid

What's new

New plug-in hybrid variant of the X3
18 miles of EV range before you tap into the gas engine
Part of the third X3 generation introduced for 2018

Overview

Quiet, spacious and engaging to drive, the BMW X3 has long been a desirable small luxury SUV. The X3 boasts an upscale interior and top-notch construction we've come to expect from BMW. Under the hood, the X3 offers the choice of two powertrains: the respectably strong four-cylinder in the s- and xDrive30i or the potent six-cylinder in the M40i.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 BMW X3 sDrive30i 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$201/mo

$196/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

For 2020, BMW has upgraded the M40i engine; it now makes 382 horsepower, compared to 2019's 355 hp. Joining the lineup for 2020 is the xDrive30e, which features a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a plug-in hybrid system. It performs well, but it's actually thirstier than the non-hybrid unless you often make short trips and are frequently plugging it in. Also for 2020, the factory navigation system now comes bundled with the optional full digital gauge cluster (BMW's Live Cockpit), but the rest of the features carry over from the previous model year.

The lack of Android Auto smartphone integration in the X3 is unfortunate, which might dissuade tech-savvy buyers. But that's pretty much where the drawbacks end. Options are plentiful, and the interior is big enough to seat adults in all the major seating positions. Overall, the 2020 BMW X3 is an impressive SUV that's easy to recommend if you're shopping in the small luxury SUV category.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.8

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the X3 drive? We tested the X3 xDrive30i. Around town, the eight-speed transmission smartly keeps the smooth 2.0-liter engine right in the heart of its power delivery. The high 6-second 0-60 mph result we recorded should be quick enough for most people. The brakes are strong for panic stops and easy to modulate in typical driving.

Around turns, the X3 provides composed and enjoyable handling that's often associated with BMW. Alas, the steering is typical of a modern BMW too. It's too easy to turn the wheel in the Comfort setting, making it a little imprecise. The Sport mode provides additional heft and quickness, but there's still not a whole lot of feel coming through the wheel.

Comfort

8.0/10

How comfortable is the X3? The front seats deliver the comfort and support needed for long stints at the wheel. A wide range of adjustments ensure a good fit for almost everyone. On bumpy roads, our test X3 had a fairly busy ride quality, which we partially attribute to it being outfitted with the optional Dynamic Handling package. The solid level of control means you feel impacts, but they don't reverberate through the cabin or bounce your head around.

At idle, it's so silent that you'll want to check the tachometer to see if the engine is running. There's a little bit of wind noise from the driver-side window at freeway speeds. Engine noise is pronounced under moderate to hard acceleration, but it's not unpleasant.

Interior

8.0/10

How’s the interior? The X3's cabin is spacious and smartly arranged. Most controls are immediately understandable. The large doors translate to big openings, and the sills are low enough so that you don't have to step up into the cabin. Various driver's seat and steering wheel adjustments ensure all instrumentation falls easily into view. There's plenty of headroom for all passengers, while foot- and legroom is adequate for even tall passengers.

A tall roof means large windows all around, so there's a good view outside no matter where you look. Cleverly, the rear headrests are short so they don't cut into your view through the rearview mirror. The large side mirrors and optional blind-spot monitoring make lane changes safe and easy.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? The mixed digital and analog gauge cluster looks clean and classy, and the entertainment interface is powerful and quick. BMW's voice controls are able to understand natural language, allowing control over almost all the cabin's features. Driver aids are similarly impressive in scope but not always reliable. (We experienced some parking camera and adaptive cruise control glitches during our test.)

While wireless Apple CarPlay works great, you have to pay for it, and Android Auto is not supported. Wireless device charging is an optional extra too. This, along with the finicky driver aids, brings the X3's score down significantly in this category.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? Generous cargo space and plentiful interior storage options make the X3 a versatile SUV. There's a healthy 28.7 cubic feet behind the second row, which can easily be lowered from release handles in the rear, revealing 62.7 cubic feet of space. The door pockets are large and numerous, and we like the small compartment to the left of the steering wheel.

Car seat attachments are easy to access, and there's plenty of space for large child seats. The X3 can tow up to 4,400 pounds when it's equipped with the optional 2-inch receiver that includes seven- and four-pin connectors. We laud both the capacity, which is among the best, but also the clean integration of a Class III hitch.

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA rates the X3 xDrive30i at 26 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is an average number for a luxury SUV with a base engine. Still, our X3 beat that rating both on our standardized 115-mile evaluation route (27.7 mpg) and throughout its two-week test period (26.2 mpg average). An impressive result.

Value

8.0/10

Is the X3 a good value? Though the interior lacks the aesthetic appeal of some competitors, the quality is evident. Gaps are tight and uniform, and the switches and controls feel solid. The X3's pricing structure and feature availability line up squarely against the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC. A bit of an advantage comes from a few ownership perks, such as a longer free scheduled maintenance period.

Wildcard

7.5/10

Despite being a small SUV, the X3 relays driving excitement through its steering, handling and engine sound. These attributes make it a bit more entertaining to snake up a mountain road or barrel through a freeway on-ramp than some other vehicles in the segment. The X3 has an instantly recognizable shape that looks somewhat like a miniature X5, and that's a good thing. But we're less enthusiastic about the interior, which lacks the richness found in rivals.

Which X3 does Edmunds recommend?

It's tempting to load up the BMW X3 with all the available features, go for the high-performance M40i engine and bury the throttle on your way out of the dealership parking lot. For most shoppers, though, we'd recommend going with one of the base models: the sDrive30i (with rear-wheel drive) or the xDrive30i (with all-wheel drive). The base four-cylinder engine provides respectable acceleration and a more reasonable price point. Also, you can option up the base X3 as much or as little as you want, adding abundant performance, luxury and safety features.

2020 BMW X3 models

The 2020 BMW X3 is a five-passenger crossover sold in four trim levels: sDrive30i, xDrive30i, xDrive30e and M40i. The rear-wheel-drive sDrive30i and the all-wheel-drive xDrive30i are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (248 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque). The all-wheel-drive xDrive30e uses this engine but pairs it to a plug-in hybrid system (288 hp, 310 lb-ft). The M40i is powered by a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (382 hp, 365 lb-ft of torque) and comes standard with all-wheel drive. All X3s use an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Standard 30i and 30e features include LED headlights and foglights, a power liftgate, tri-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, simulated leather upholstery, BMW's iDrive infotainment interface, wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility, and a 12-speaker audio system.

There are multiple option packages available for the 30i and 30e models. The main ones you'll want to check out are the Convenience, Driving Assistance and Driving Assistant Plus packages. The Convenience package brings you keyless access and a panoramic sunroof, while the other two equip the X3 with a variety of additional driver safety aids.

Want a sportier X3? The M Sport package adds some stylistic enhancements, while the Dynamic Handling package equips the X3 with adaptive suspension dampers, upgraded brakes and variable-ratio steering.

The M40i includes much of the above as standard equipment. Other notable X3 options you might want to look for are heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, a larger 10.3-inch central touchscreen, a digital gauge cluster display, wireless phone charging, and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3/5Average

#16 out of 18 among Luxury Compact SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the BMW X3 from 2008-2022.}

$741/yr

vs. $559/yr
for Average Luxury Compact SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.71x/yr

vs. 1.23x/yr
for Average Luxury Compact SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

13.6%

vs. 8.6%
for Average Luxury Compact SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 BMW X3.

5 (55%)

4 (7%)

3 (9%)

2 (10%)

1 (19%)

3.7

51 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 51 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Lemon

Dan, 11/23/2020

2020 BMW X3 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Got a 2020 X3 xdrive 30i earlier this year, but this car gave us nothing but problems since the first day. Had issues with misaligned lights, brakes, iDrive, excessive vibration, tailgate randomly opening...the list goes on. BMW said "we stand by our products" but refused to do anything about it. Will have to pursue a lemon law claim.

Do I have to give my 2020 BMW X3 any stars?

Sapna Delacourt, 09/23/2020

2020 BMW X3 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

I really want to love this car but I can’t. I loved my test drive of the 2020 BMW X3. Loved the styling, the driveability, the roomy interior that I fell into the trap of buying one. I couldn’t agree more with the reviewer who said there are tech issues with this car. The Apple CarPlay is incompatible with my iPhone 11 (it works with Apple X or earlier). BMW calls this an idrive issue. …

very uneasy about this purchase!!

Carrie, 01/11/2020

2020 BMW X3 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Purchased a brand new 2020 BMW X3 xdrive30i on 12/31/2019. Before we left the dealership on the day of purchase, "low coolant warning" light appeared. the car was taken to the service department and topped off with coolant and told everything was ok. on 1/1/2020 got another low coolant warning in the car. Did not drive the car at all 1/2/2020 due to this issue and was not able to bring …

Severe Electrical Issues

Drvr7, 09/01/2021

2020 BMW X3 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

To date the car has been brought in to the dealership 4 times in less than 1yr of having the car. Every time for electrical issues. Some scary, some not. The car has had a lot of issues and required updates each time we brought the car in (according to the dealership) however different electrical problems keep happening. They range from the car turning itself off while waiting at a red …

See all 51 reviews of the BMW X3

Write a vehicle review

2020 BMW X3 video

2020 BMW X3 Review: What You Should Know About Price, Performance and the Plug-in Hybrid

Elana Scherr explains what you should know about buying the BMW X3, explaining the highlights and differences between models. The new BMW X3 xDrive30e plug-in hybrid is featured in this video, but we also cover the sDrive30i, xDrive30i and M40i models.

2020 X3 Highlights

Type:

SUV

Trim:

sDrive30i

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$41,950
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	27 MPG
Cost to Drive	$201/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	28.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the X3 models:

Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go: Maintains a set distance between the X3 and the car in front. Can bring the X3 to a stop and resume speed when the car in front moves.
Adaptive Brake Lights: Brightens the brake lights to indicate a sudden stop and flashes them to indicate an emergency stop.
Parking Assistant Plus: Guides the X3 into a vacant parallel parking spot with minimal driver intervention.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover17.2%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2020 BMW X3 Review

2020 BMW X3 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 BMW X3 sDrive30i 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which X3 does Edmunds recommend?

2020 BMW X3 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Lemon

Do I have to give my 2020 BMW X3 any stars?

very uneasy about this purchase!!

Severe Electrical Issues

2020 BMW X3 video

2020 BMW X3 Review: What You Should Know About Price, Performance and the Plug-in Hybrid

2020 X3 Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 BMW X3 sDrive30i 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}