2022 BMW X3 M Review

BMW X3 M 4dr SUV Exterior. Competition Package Shown.

+121

Used X3 M for sale

$69,991

1 listing

See Cars for Online Purchase See All for Sale

Appraise This Car

BMW X3 M model years

BMW X3 M for Sale

2022
2021
2020

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

See pricing history

2022 BMW X3 M 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

Wickedly quick acceleration
Grip and handling are excellent
As practical as a standard X3

Cons

Excessively stiff ride, even in the softest suspension setting
Tire roar on the highway can be wearing on long drives

What's new

New engine tweaks increase torque output
Minor exterior and interior styling refresh
Larger infotainment touchscreen
Part of the third X3 generation introduced for 2018

Overview

If you're one of the rare drivers seeking "sport" in a sport-utility vehicle, you'd do well to check out the 2022 BMW X3 M. It's the high-performance variant of the already enjoyable BMW X3 that is reviewed separately. The X3 M earns its M badge with up to 503 horsepower in the top Competition model, as well as a sport-tuned suspension for sharper handling.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 BMW X3 M 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 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 $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$322/mo

$201/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

For 2022, the X3 M gets a subtle styling refresh inside and out, an increase in torque output and a larger infotainment touchscreen. The upgraded engine has the potential to improve the X3 M's already quick acceleration, and the larger display should improve functionality, but we don't expect these changes to affect its standing in this limited class of small performance SUVs.

That means it remains a strong choice against the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43, Porsche Macan and Audi SQ5. We'd also consider the Tesla Model Y as a green alternative to these gas burners. We suggest paying close attention to the X3 M's stiff ride quality and intrusive road noise on a test drive, though, because they can be a source of fatigue on longer drives.

Which X3 M does Edmunds recommend?

Save yourself the $7,000 for the Competition model and stick with the base X3 M. It's already far more powerful than you'll need, and the more comfortable ride quality will pay dividends down the road. With the money you save, you could add the Driving Assistance Professional and Executive packages, which bring plenty of useful features.

2022 BMW X3 M models

The 2022 BMW X3 M is a high-performance version of the BMW X3 small SUV. Two versions are available: the standard X3 M and the even more potent X3 M Competition. Both use a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine that powers all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. It supplies 473 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque in the X3 M, and output increases to 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque in the Competition.

X3 M
Standard features for the X3 M include:

20-inch wheels
Adaptive LED headlights
Power-folding, heated exterior mirrors
Power liftgate
Adaptive suspension dampers
Three-zone climate control and heated front seats
Leather upholstery
Digital instrument panel
12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation
16-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system
Wireless Apple CarPlay

The X3 M also comes with a number of advanced safety systems, such as:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the vehicle when parking)

X3 M Competition
The X3 M Competition is distinguished from the standard X3 M by its:

More powerful engine
21-inch wheels and sport exhaust
Thicker suspension stabilizer bars
Black-painted exterior trim
Premium leather upholstery and upgraded sport seats

In typical BMW fashion, the X3 M is offered with a few packages and stand-alone options. These include:

Driving Assistance Professional package

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the X3 M and the car in front)
A more advanced version of the forward collision mitigation system

Executive package

Panoramic sunroof
Heated steering wheel and heated rear seats
Wireless charging pad
Rear side window shades
Gesture control (allows you to control certain aspects of the infotainment system by gesturing in the air)
360-degree camera (gives you a bird's-eye view of the car for tight parking situations)
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with no driver intervention)
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
Ventilated front seats
Carbon-fiber exterior accents
Upgraded sport seats (base X3 M only)

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2022 BMW X3 M.

5 (90%)

4 (0%)

3 (4%)

2 (0%)

1 (6%)

4.7

21 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 21 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Bargain Super SUV!

John, 06/22/2020

2020 BMW X3 M 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

My last car was an Alfa Romeo Guilia Quadrifoglio and was fun and super fast. I traded it for this practical SUV that is just as fast in a straight line and handles turns better than most sport cars. It can haul stuff and I even go camping in this thing. Almost super car speed for a reasonable price! Out performs G Wagon for a fraction of the price and way more fun as a daily driver. …

2020 BMW X3 M COMPETITION IS A PERFECT MONSTER

Lord Todd L. , 07/25/2020

2020 BMW X3 M Competition 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

I'm a life long Porsche guy and was ready for a change for a daily driver. I'm very brand loyal and had a Cayenne Turbo S that I loved but before getting a new one I wanted to see what else was out there to compare as I like performance. I looked at many options and let me say the x3M competition is scary fast and mind blowing. The technology it so impressive and then driving it I was …

A surprisingly good value

Shawnski, 09/10/2020

2020 BMW X3 M Competition 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

If you need an SUV for whatever reason, the X3M is a good compromise is you are used to sports cars/sedans. Its practical, good visibility and unlike to many cars today (I am looking at you 992 911) it has real character and is fun even when obeying traffic laws. I have to say its an impressive car for the money that is practical and a hoot to drive! Update 3/10/22: We still enjoy …

Just plain awesome, practical too!

MB, 09/29/2020

2020 BMW X3 M 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

So much fun to drive and you really get a lot for the price! In addition, there is plenty of space in the rear and even more with the seats dropped. I have a car seat installed in mine and I can still fit three across the rear seat. Would buy this car again. The only minor complaint I have is that comfort suspension mode is still really stiff. But at the same time economy engine mode …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 BMW X3 M, so we've included reviews for other years of the X3 M since its last redesign.

See all 21 reviews of the BMW X3 M

Write a vehicle review

2022 X3 M Highlights

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$70,100
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$322/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	28.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the X3 M models:

Lane Departure Warning: Alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane.
Self-Steering Park Assist: Steers into a parking spot while the driver controls the throttle and brakes.
Lane Change Assist: Alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot.

People who viewed this also viewed

BMW X3
4.3 average Rating out of 9 reviews.
Starting at $46,900

See BMW X3 Inventory

BMW X5
3.8 average Rating out of 35 reviews.
Starting at $65,200

See BMW X5 Inventory

BMW X1
3.3 average Rating out of 4 reviews.
Starting at $40,500

See BMW X1 Inventory

2022 BMW X3 M Review

2022 BMW X3 M Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 BMW X3 M 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 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 $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Which X3 M does Edmunds recommend?

2022 BMW X3 M models

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2022 BMW X3 M.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Bargain Super SUV!

2020 BMW X3 M COMPETITION IS A PERFECT MONSTER

A surprisingly good value

Just plain awesome, practical too!

2022 X3 M Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2022 BMW X3 M info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Bmw

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

2022 BMW X3 M Review

2022 BMW X3 M Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 BMW X3 M 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 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 $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Which X3 M does Edmunds recommend?

2022 BMW X3 M models

Most helpful consumer reviews

Bargain Super SUV!

2020 BMW X3 M COMPETITION IS A PERFECT MONSTER

A surprisingly good value

Just plain awesome, practical too!

2022 X3 M Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2022 BMW X3 M info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Bmw

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 BMW X3 M 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 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 $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}