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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.
Used 2015 BMW X3 listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2015 BMW X3s for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 271 used and CPO 2015 X3s listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 21,799 and mileage as low as 7,111. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2015 BMW X3. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 304 on a used or CPO 2015 X3 available from one of 2,630 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2015 BMW X3 ?
Save up to $300 on one of 46 used 2015 BMW X3s for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $22472 as of Apr 27, 2018, based on data from 18 dealers and 214 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2015 BMW X3 trim styles:
The used 2015 BMW X3 xDrive28d is priced around $30722 with average odometer reading of 43205 miles.
The used 2015 BMW X3 xDrive28i is priced around $27250 with average odometer reading of 42126 miles.
The used 2015 BMW X3 xDrive35i is priced around $29998 with average odometer reading of 35415 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, Virginia. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2015 BMW X3?
Available BMW X3 2015 Submodel Types: M40i, SUV, Diesel
Available BMW X3 2015 Trims: xDrive30i, M40i, xDrive28i, 3.0si, 3.0i, xDrive35i, xDrive28d, 2.5i, sDrive28i
Exterior Colors: Dark Graphite Metallic, Phytonic Blue Metallic, Mineral White Metallic, Titanium Silver Metallic, Alpine White, Dark Olive Metallic, Black Sapphire Metallic, Space Gray Metallic, Vermilion Red Metallic, Jet Black, Terra Brown Metallic, Blue Water Metallic, Glacier Silver Metallic, Melbourne Red Metallic, Silver Gray Metallic, Deep Sea Blue Metallic, Mineral Silver Metallic, Monaco Blue Metallic, Sparkling Bronze Metallic, Carbon Black Metallic, Flamenco Red Metallic, Highland Green Metallic, Crimson Red, Platinum Bronze Metallic
Interior Colors: Black Vernasca w/Contrast Stitching and Piping leather, Black SensaTec leather, Canberra Beige/Black SensaTec leatherette, Mocha Vernasca w/Contrast Stitching and Piping leather, Cognac Vernasca w/Contrast Stitching and Piping leather, Oyster Vernasca w/Contrast Stitching and Piping leather, Canberra Beige/Black Vernasca w/Contrast Stitching and Piping leather, Black premium leather, Black leatherette, Saddle Brown Nevada premium leather, Sand Beige leatherette, Black Nevada w/Gray Contrast Stitching premium leather, Black Vernasca w/Blue Contrast Stitching and Piping leather, Sand Beige Nevada premium leather, Beige leatherette, Black Nevada premium leather, Black SensaTec leatherette, Oyster Nevada premium leather, Sand Beige/Black Nevada premium leather, Beige, Sand Beige premium leather, Black, Chestnut Nevada premium leather, Gray premium leather, Ivory White Nevada w/Red Contrast Stitching premium leather, Mojave Nevada premium leather, Mojave premium leather, Saddle Brown premium leather
Popular Features: Electronic Folding Mirrors, 3500lb Towing Capacity, Pre-collision safety system, Keyless Entry/Start, Towing Hitch, Adaptive Cruise Control, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, AWD/4WD, Alarm, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Auto Climate Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Aux Audio Inputs, Bluetooth, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Post-collision safety system, Power Driver Seat, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, USB Inputs, 2500lb Towing Capacity, Sunroof/Moonroof, Back-up camera, Parking sensors, Cooled Seats, Heated seats, Navigation, Upgraded Headlights, 360-degree camera, Leather Seats, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Heads up display, Upgraded Stereo
Engine/Mechanics: 4, 6 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: premium unleaded (recommended), premium unleaded (required), diesel
Drivetrains: all wheel drive, rear wheel drive
Used 2015 BMW X3 Overview
The used 2015 BMW X3 is offered in the following submodels: SUV, Diesel. Available styles include xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A), and xDrive28d 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 8A). Pre-owned X3 models are available with a 0-liter gas engine or a 0-liter diesel engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2015 X3 comes with all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 8-speed shiftable automatic.
