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Quick Summary
BMW's X3 was the original compact luxury SUV and remains a segment leader today. For 2015 it receives new powertrain options and styling tweaks that add much-needed shape to the second generation of this SUV. Available with three engines, including a new diesel, the X3 offers a wide range of performance, technology and safety features that make it a top contender in this increasingly competitive class.
What Is It?
The 2015 BMW X3 is a five-passenger compact luxury SUV.
Our test vehicle, the awkwardly named X3 xDrive28i, was fitted with the volume-selling turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine coupled to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-liter four is rated at 240 horsepower, which proved enough to push the X3 to 60 mph in only 6.4 seconds: better than most SUVs in the segment.
A rear-drive version called the sDrive28i is also available with the 2.0-liter engine. Other powertrain options include a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine (xDrive35i) and a new-for-2015 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder (xDrive28d), both of which use the same transmission and are all-wheel drive.
Base rear-drive X3s (new for 2015) start at $39,350. Our all-wheel-drive tester, equipped with the Cold Weather, Driver Assistance, Premium and Technology packages, totaled $50,075.
How Does It Drive?
For better or worse, the X3 is (at least partially) a driver's machine. No, it won't lure you onto a racetrack, but it will certainly encourage enthusiastic driving. Our all-wheel-drive X3 lacked the M Sport package, which ups wheel size from 18 to 19 inches, but was still amply engaging when driven with purpose. Body roll is minimal and steering response is among the best in the class. Turn the wheel and the X3 turns with it.
Power is surprisingly strong despite this being the lesser of the gasoline engines. Only those seeking enthusiast levels of performance need to bother with the six-cylinder engine. Long pulls uphill are handled without gear hunting and at low engine speeds. The turbocharged four-cylinder is highly flexible, so it's able to provide ample yank at low speed, yet still willing to rev to high speeds for quick passes on the highway.
A Driving Dynamics Control (DDC) system allows you to tweak the X3's personality across three modes — Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport. Throttle and transmission response as well as steering weight are sharpened with each step. Add the Dynamic Handling package and damping will follow suit.
At 64.9 mph, the X3's slalom speed is at the top of the class. Needless to say, if you want a premium compact SUV that feels like a small sedan, the X3 is one of your best bets.
What's It Like Inside?
Since its last major revision for the 2010 model year, the X3 has led the segment in interior space. Its 110-inch wheelbase is among the longest in the class and it allows for more rear seat and cargo space than most competitors.
Materials quality is at or above segment standards. There's stitched leather coupled with a simple, elegant design that provides among the quietest cabins in the segment. Assembly is drum tight and all controls operate precisely. Seats are firm but offer ample support. We found three-hour trips easy despite the X3's relatively taut ride.
Thanks to accommodating seat and steering wheel adjustments, tall occupants fit up front easily. Six-footers have ample legroom in the rear but might find the relationship between the seat bottom and floor to be a comfort compromise over long distances.
With 63.3 cubic feet of total cargo space, the X3 is among the roomiest SUVs in the segment. Its split-folding rear seats don't fold completely flat, but the compromise to utility is marginal.
What Kind of Fuel Economy Does It Deliver?
Our tester was rated at 24 mpg combined (21 city/28 highway). However, as has become common with SUVs powered by smaller turbocharged engines, we weren't able to equal that number, even on our best tank. We recorded 20.7 mpg during 795 miles of mixed driving and virtually identical mileage on our test loop, which includes mountain and highway driving.
If fuel economy is a priority, the diesel-powered xDrive28d is a better option. It's rated at 30 mpg combined (27 city/34 highway) but we have yet to test it.
How Safe Is It?
The 2015 X3 receives a "Good" rating in all four crash test categories from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It has not been rated by the federal government.
Stopping from 60 mph required 129 feet, which is only average for the class. However, the X3 has superb pedal feel and response that doesn't change after repeated panic stops, indicating that its braking system is robust.
You'll pay extra for a rearview camera, which is becoming standard equipment on many vehicles in the class. Other available safety equipment includes a forward collision warning, blind-spot monitor and surround-view camera. Remote services, including the ability to locate the SUV using a smartphone as well as assistance unlocking it via a call center, are available. Stolen vehicle location and recovery is included as well.
A head-up display that projects a variety of information in the driver's line of sight is also available.
What Are Its Closest Competitors?
Audi's aging Q5 is still the X3's biggest rival in terms of size, quality, performance and price. Though it lacks some of the X3's technology and safety features, it offers a similarly powerful engine and standard all-wheel drive. Its interior is high quality and it's similarly roomy. Don't overlook it as an alternative.
The angular 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK isn't available with a small turbocharged gasoline engine like the X3. It offers a more powerful V6 in both rear-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. An all-wheel-drive diesel version is also available.
Acura's 2015 RDX lacks the X3's extensive list of technology and safety features, but is similarly powerful and efficient. It comes only with a V6 and is available with all-wheel drive. Despite being smaller, it uses its space very efficiently and is able to nearly rival the X3's interior room. It's also significantly less expensive.
Why Should You Consider This SUV?
If you like your compact luxury SUV to come with obvious sporting intentions in addition to a roomy, high-quality interior and an abundant features list, it's hard to rule out the X3. We give this SUV our highest rating for a reason: It's one of the best.
Why Should You Think Twice About This SUV?
The one area where the X3 clearly falls behind some rivals (and the EPA estimates) is in fuel economy. Though it's not alone in missing the mark here, there was a wide gap between our measured fuel economy and the EPA combined rating.
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
Is the 2015 BMW X3 a good car?
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2015 BMW X3 and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2015 X3 featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
All of our reviews are written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
How do people like the 2015 BMW X3?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2015 BMW X3 and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2015 X3 4.8 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2015 X3.
Review
The X3 is my second BMW, the other being a 330 CI. Absolutely love everything about this car with one major exception - the stereo flat out sucks. A car in this price range should come standard with a high end sound system. My 2003 330 has the Harmon Kardon upgraded stereo which is very good but the standard system on my 2015 X3 stinks. The stereo in my Honda Accord is actually better.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2015 BMW X3
How can Edmunds help?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
Is the 2015 Bmw X3 safe?
The 2015 Bmw X3 earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: Side Impact Test, Roof Strength Test, Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint, Moderate Overlap Front Test Results, and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 3.0 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
What options are available on the 2015 BMW X3?
Available BMW X3 2015 Submodel Types: SUV, Diesel
Available Trims: xDrive28i, xDrive35i, 3.0si, 3.0i, xDrive30i, 2.5i, xDrive28d, sDrive28i
Exterior Colors: Jet Black, Alpine White, Space Gray Metallic, Black Sapphire Metallic, Deep Sea Blue Metallic, Glacier Silver Metallic, Mineral Silver Metallic, Titanium Silver Metallic, Melbourne Red Metallic, Blue Water Metallic, Carbon Black Metallic, Vermilion Red Metallic, Chestnut Brown Metallic, Mineral White Metallic, Sparkling Bronze Metallic, Silver Gray Metallic, Monaco Blue Metallic, Silver Grey Metallic, Highland Green Metallic, Crimson Red, Montego Blue Metallic, Platinum Bronze Metallic, Sparkling Brown Metallic, Flamenco Red Metallic, Mystic Blue Metallic
Interior Colors: Black Nevada premium leather, Black leatherette, Saddle Brown Nevada premium leather, Sand Beige Nevada premium leather, Oyster Nevada premium leather, Black Nevada w/Gray Contrast Stitching premium leather, Beige leatherette, Black premium leather, Black SensaTec leatherette, Sand Beige/Black Nevada premium leather, Sand Beige leatherette, Sand Beige premium leather, Gray premium leather, Beige, Mojave Nevada premium leather, Black, Chestnut Nevada premium leather, Ivory White Nevada w/Red Contrast Stitching premium leather, Beige/Black SensaTec leatherette, Grey, Mocha Nevada w/Orange Contrast Stitching premium leather, Beige premium leather, Oyster premium leather, Saddle Brown premium leather, Beige SensaTec leatherette, Chestnut premium leather, Terracotta
Popular Features: Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, AWD/4WD, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Auto Climate Control, Power Driver Seat, Trip Computer, Automatic Emergency Braking, Aux Audio Inputs, Post-collision safety system, Bluetooth, Alarm, USB Inputs, 2500lb Towing Capacity, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Sunroof/Moonroof, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Heated seats, Upgraded Headlights, Navigation, Parking sensors, Back-up camera, 3500lb Towing Capacity, Keyless Entry/Start, Leather Seats, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Heads up display, 360-degree camera, Upgraded Stereo, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Adaptive Cruise Control
Engine/Mechanics: 4, 6 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: premium unleaded (required), diesel
Drivetrains: all wheel drive, rear wheel drive
