2021 BMW X3 Review

+197

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 small luxury SUV.

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2021 BMW X3 Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

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

Cons

All-around polish means it doesn't excel in any particular category

What's new

Many advanced safety features are now standard
Android Auto is finally available
A few previously optional features are now standard
Part of the third X3 generation introduced for 2018

Overview

The 2021 BMW X3 is a well-rounded small luxury SUV. Whether it's practicality, safety, comfort, technology or performance you're interested in, the X3 delivers. It's a mainstay of BMW's lineup, giving you more room than the X1 and X2 while keeping the price reasonable compared to the larger X5. For 2021, the X3 receives more standard features, including some advanced safety systems, as well as Android Auto smartphone integration. These additions certainly help the X3's desirability. For our in-depth take, check out the details of our Expert Rating on the 2021 X3.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 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

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 four-cylinder 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 control 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 is easily in view. There's plenty of headroom for all passengers, while foot- and legroom are 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 combination of touchscreen and dial controls makes exploring infotainment menus a breeze. The nav system is easy to use and the graphics are tack-sharp, although voice commands offer limited usefulness. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is included.

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 the capacity, which is among the best in the small luxury SUV category.

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?

The standard X3 sDrive30i is plenty powerful and capable for the vast majority of drivers. For those in colder climates, upgrading to the all-wheel-drive xDrive30i might be a worthwhile expense. The powerful M40i model could be a consideration for the rare SUV shopper seeking an overabundance of performance.

2021 BMW X3 models

The 2021 BMW X3 is available in four trim levels that are primarily based on engine choices, The sDrive30i and xDrive30i both receive a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (248 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) while the M40i gets a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (382 hp, 365 lb-ft of torque). An eight-speed automatic drives the rear wheels on the sDrive30i, and all-wheel-drive is included with the xDrive30i and M40i. The xDrive30e hybrid variant is covered in a separate review.

The sDrive30i and xDrive30i share the same features list with highlights that include:

Power-folding heated mirrors
Auto-dimming mirrors
Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the vehicle when parking)
Power liftgate

Inside, you'll find:

Tri-zone automatic climate control
Simulated leather upholstery
Remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app
Wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
10.25-inch central touchscreen
Navigation system
Wi-Fi hotspot
12-speaker audio system

Standard advanced safety features include:

Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Frontal collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)

The more powerful M40i further adds:

Unique interior and exterior styling elements
Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Higher-performance tires
Sport suspension
Upgraded brakes
Keyless entry
Panoramic sunroof
Digital gauge cluster display
Integrated navigation system
Android Auto smartphone integration

Some of the M40i's features are available on the 30i as options. Other add-ons include:

Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Automated parking system
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Leather upholstery
Heated steering wheel
Heated front and rear seats
Ventilated front seats
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
Trailer hitch
Rear side-window shades
Premium Harman Kardon audio system
Wireless charging pad

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 2021 BMW X3.

5 (64%)

4 (13%)

3 (9%)

2 (3%)

1 (11%)

4.2

31 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

My first BMW

Matt Strausser, 01/04/2021

2021 BMW X3 M40i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

My first and definitely not last. I'm 6'1" 225 and this fits me well. I also have back issues that I do not experience at all in this vehicle. I looked at all the competitors in this class and for me the BMW won because of the 6 cylinder, the space for rear passengers, and wow is it fun to drive.

Volvo to BMW - great upgrade

wbm, 07/26/2021

2021 BMW X3 xDrive30e 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A)

We had a Volvo S60 Inscription - nice car, but small details, such as no roof rack, and small trunk after installing a spare tire mean that it was not suitable for long trips. We looked at the XC60 hybrid, but with no spare, it did not seem ready for camping trips (we did use the spare on the Volvo - it paid for itself first time when we had a flat on the way to the airport on an …

Great Update On The X3!

MoparFan71, 12/22/2020

2021 BMW X3 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Having owned both an 2007 X3 and a 2013 X3, I can definitely say that this X3 is an improvement over the previous generation. The interior is better laid-out and has higher-quality finishes than before and compared to the Mercedes GLC300 and Land Rover Discovery Sport that I also looked at. The seats are also much more comfortable than the last X3 and I love the new iDrive and all the …

Fun SUV. A definite sleeper to play with.

Rick, 10/19/2021

2021 BMW X3 M40i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

My previous ride was a 2019 BMW X5 40i and I thought it was the best of the best. Then I decided to trade it due to high mileage and I ordered a 2021 BMW X3M40i. OMG!!!! What a boost in power and handling. I had to rethink my driving. This suv is not for the inexperienced driver. I ordered the M-differential and the M-sport suspension with 20" tires. It came with Bridgestone … Alenza 001 RFT's and wow do they ever corner. They came with a speed rating of 168mph since my new suv now had a speed limiter preset at 155mph. The speed limiter was raised from 130 to 155 due to the summer performance tires that had the speed rating of 168mph. Had I ordered the 19" all weather tires, the speed limiter would have been preset at 130mph. My X3M40i is Glacier Silver Metallic exterior with Cognac leather seats and I also opted for red brake calipers instead of the standard blue calipers. I've had lots of fun with other people pulling alongside of me and getting me to race them. The look on their faces when my suv blows past them. This X3M40 is a rocket on steroids. With the M-sport suspension on it, I have gone hard into corners and felt it somewhat squat as I exited the corner at a higher rate of speed. No leaning and no body roll. However, due to this suspension, it has a very firm ride and that is fine with me. I recently took it on a trip to Wyoming and got 29.8mpg on it at 74mph. I had it on the ECO mode. The speed limit in Wyoming is 80mph and it had plenty of power at that speed. I've already decided to buy another one in a few years. UPDATE: This suv is on steroids. It is very fun to drive and is known as a sleeper. It doesn't look fast but I've yet to lose a race. It handles as well as it performs too due to having a sport suspension along with the M-differential and Michelin all-weather non-runflat z-rated tires. With all the power this suv has, one would not believe the gas mileage it can get. I set my cruise at 75mph on a trip from Indiana to Wyoming last summer and I got 29.8mpg overall. Not bad for having a high-performance vehicle that is capable of top speeds of 155mph. Currently I have about 28k miles on it. Seats are comfy. The ride was quite firm until I replaced the runflats with non-runflats. I've now got 72k miles and they've all been wonderful. No problems at all. I do oil changes every 11k miles and on my 2nd set of tires. I got rid of the runflats and installed Michelin all-weather tires z-rated for 186mph. I've learned to over-inflate my tires about 2-3psi. My best gas mileage is 34.7mpg at 70mph on ECO-mode on cruise. Hard to believe I got this on a performance motor. Currently, I am waiting on my next one to arrive. I ordered another X3M40i. It is mostly the same except it is a mild hybrid and white exterior with cranberry red interior, black wheels, and red calipers.

See all 31 reviews of the BMW X3

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2021 X3 Highlights

Type:

SUV

Trim:

sDrive30i

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$43,000
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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2021 BMW X3 Review

2021 BMW X3 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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?

2021 BMW X3 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

My first BMW

Volvo to BMW - great upgrade

Great Update On The X3!

Fun SUV. A definite sleeper to play with.

2021 X3 Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 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.}