2023 BMW X3 M Review

Price Range: $61,998 - $68,847

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

+98

Read full review See all features & specs

Price & Payment

11 cars

$68,532 avg. price

Min$

Max$

See listings

Appraise My 2023 BMW X3 M

BMW X3 M model years

BMW X3 M for Sale

2023 BMW X3 M Review

by Christian Wardlaw^{Correspondent
Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at Edmunds and was the first editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.}

Pros

Stunningly fast
Outstanding driving dynamics
Impressive practicality

Cons

Stiff ride no matter the driving mode
Excessive tire roar at highway speeds

What's new

BMW makes no changes to the 2023 X3 M
Part of the third X3 generation introduced for 2018

Overview

The BMW X3 M is a performance-tuned compact crossover SUV that’s based on the popular X3 (reviewed separately), and it easily feeds your need for speed. With over 500 horsepower on tap in the top Competition model, this M-tuned sport-utility vehicle emphasizes the "sport" portion of that equation without giving up any of the standard X3's "utility."

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale nearby

11 listings

Sort by:

2023 BMW X3 M
Base 4dr SUV
$68,847
great price
$6,515 below market
- 19,001 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 6cyl automatic
- BMW of Rockville (19 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Rockville, MD
Competition PackageExecutive PackageDriving Assistance Professional PackagePanoramic MoonroofWheels: 21" X 9.5" Fr & 21" X 10" Rr V-SpokeSakhir O...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: 5YM13EC02P9R41113
Stock: P9R41113
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-17-2025
Price Drop
2023 BMW X3 M
Base 4dr SUV
$64,403
good price
$3,797 below market
- 44,248 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 6cyl automatic
- BMW of Silver Spring (29 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Silver Spring, MD
2023 BMW X3 M Black Sapphire Metallic CARFAX One-Owner. Clean CARFAX. Aluminum Wheels, Leather Seats, 8-Speed Automatic Sport, Active Driving Assista...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: 5YM13EC07P9R99959
Stock: TP3354
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 02-27-2025

See all for sale

Last year, BMW gave the X3 M more power, new tech and updated styling. This year, the automaker makes no additional modifications, which is mostly fine by us. Our main complaints about the M-tuned X3 involve its stiff ride quality and loud cabin, but that's the price enthusiast drivers must pay for the SUV's thrilling driving dynamics. You can always choose one of the other X3 models if you need a cushier and quieter companion for the daily commute.

Upgrading to the X3 M over the X3 M40i costs a little more than 13 grand. In exchange, you get a stronger turbocharged six-cylinder engine with 91 extra horsepower, which shaves half a second off the acceleration run to 60 mph, according to BMW. The optional Competition package makes the X3 M slightly quicker still, thanks to its 503 hp, getting the SUV to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds by the automaker's stopwatch.

Naturally, BMW backs up the powerful engines with a comprehensive hardware upgrade. The changes range from a modified eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system to more aggressive suspension, steering, braking and exhaust tuning. The result is a high-performance SUV boasting a near perfect weight distribution, comfortable seating for four people (five in a pinch), and 28.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat.

A handful of alternatives to the BMW X3 M exist. For example, you could get a gas-fueled Porsche Macan GTS, which costs more and offers less interior room. You could go electric and try the Tesla Model Y Performance, which can just nudge the BMW in straight-line acceleration and is far less expensive. Or you could get a plug-in hybrid from Volvo, the XC60 Recharge Polestar Engineered, which isn't as fast or outright fun to drive but might offer you enough electric range to handle daily commuting duties without burning any fuel.

Still, in this rarefied segment, it's hard to improve on the X3 M. And if you prefer something sleeker, you can always consider the BMW X4 M, which is the same SUV with a more aggressive roofline.

Which X3 M does Edmunds recommend?

The X3 M comes in a single level of specification that you can upgrade with a handful of equipment packages and individual options. We don't recommend the expensive Competition package due to its modest performance improvement. Instead, save that money for the Driving Assistance Professional and Executive packages, which install plenty of useful and desirable features.

2023 BMW X3 M models

The 2023 BMW X3 M is a performance-oriented version of the BMW X3 compact SUV. It has a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine (473 horsepower, 457 lb-ft of torque) paired with an eight-speed M sport automatic transmission and a rear-biased, M-tuned version of BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system. Additional modifications include M-specific drivetrain, steering, braking, suspension and exhaust system modifications.

X3 M
The X3 M's standard features list includes:

20-inch wheels with performance tires
Adaptive LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation
Power-folding, heated exterior mirrors
Power liftgate
Hands-free keyless entry
Digital instrument panel
Ambient interior lighting
Carbon-fiber interior trim
Dual-zone climate control
Heated, power-adjustable front sport seats
Leather upholstery

BMW equips the X3 M with an iDrive 7 infotainment system. It includes:

12.3-inch touchscreen display
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Satellite radio
Navigation system
Natural voice recognition system
Connected services including access to a Wi-Fi hotspot
16-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system

The X3 M also includes several driver assist systems, such as:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's 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)
Automatic high beams

BMW offers three option packages for the X3 M:

Competition package

More powerful engine (503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque)
M Sport exhaust system
21-inch wheels
Black-painted exterior trim
Premium leather upholstery and upgraded sport seats

Driving Assistance Professional package

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the X3 M and the car in front)
Lane keeping assistance (steers the X3 M back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Evasive steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
Emergency stop assistance (brings the X3 M to a safe stop if the driver becomes unresponsive)

Executive package

Panoramic sunroof
Heated steering wheel
Heated rear seats
Rear side window shades
Gesture control (allows you to control certain aspects of the infotainment system by gesturing in the air)
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with no driver intervention)

Additional options for the X3 M include:

Remote engine start
Ventilated front seats
Wireless smartphone charging
Drive Recorder (records up to 40 seconds of your drive for playback or export to a device, and can automatically capture images in the event of a collision)

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 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 $3.79 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$275/mo

$171/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

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

BMW X3 M Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.7

23 reviews

5(91%)

4(0%)

3(4%)

2(0%)

1(5%)

Write a vehicle review See all 23 reviews

Most Helpful Owner 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 2023 BMW X3 M, so we've included reviews for other years of the X3 M since its last redesign.

See all 23 reviews of the BMW X3 M

Write a vehicle review

2023 X3 M Highlights

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$72,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$275/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:

Steering Assistant: Provides semi-automated driving assistance when using the adaptive cruise control system.
Emergency Stop Assistant: Brings the vehicle to a safe stop if the driver becomes unresponsive, such as during a medical emergency.
Extended Traffic Jam Assistant: Eases driving in traffic on limited-access highways while traveling at speeds under 40 mph.

People who viewed this also viewed

BMW X3
4.8 average Rating out of 12 reviews.
Starting at $49,950

See BMW X3 Inventory

BMW X5
4.1 average Rating out of 15 reviews.
Starting at $66,300

See BMW X5 Inventory

BMW X5 M
5.0 average Rating out of 1 reviews.
Starting at $127,200

See BMW X5 M Inventory

2023 BMW X3 M Review

Price & Payment

2023 BMW X3 M Review

Pros