2015 BMW X3 Review
Price Range: $11,800 - $17,998





+288
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Large selection of potent and reasonably efficient engines
- high-quality cabin
- generous passenger and cargo room
- crisp handling
- comfortable rear seat.
Cons
- More expensive than most rivals.
What’s new
The 2015 BMW X3 gets a diesel engine and rear-wheel-drive availability, along with a front-end refresh and new tech and convenience features.
Edmunds says
The 2015 BMW X3 is an excellent, if somewhat pricey, choice for a luxury crossover SUV, with a broad selection of engines and wide-ranging talents.
For sale nearby
15 listings
- $11,800fair price
- 89,119 miles
- 2 accidents, 5 owners, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 21 City / 28 Hwy MPG
- GroundZero Auto (7 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Power Driver Seat
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
Close
Located in San Antonio, TX
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
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:
24 Combined MPG (21 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5UXWX9C51F0D57375
Stock: D57375
Certified Pre-Owned: No - $9,250great price
- 105,432 miles
- 2 accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- 5 Seats, 21 City / 28 Hwy MPG
- Autohaus (178 mi away)
- Bluetooth
- Power Driver Seat
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
- Power Liftgate/Trunk
Close
Located in Houston, TX
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
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:
24 Combined MPG (21 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5UXWZ7C54F0F75907
Stock: F75907
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-03-2025
Vehicle overview
The BMW X3 helped launch the compact luxury crossover segment more than a decade ago, and the model has grown even stronger over the years. The 2015 BMW X3 is one of the standouts in this competitive class, and is an ideal match for shoppers seeking both sporty driving dynamics and family-friendly utility.
In true BMW fashion, superior handling and performance are at the heart of the X3's appeal. The typical luxury SUV is uninspiring on winding canyon roads, but the X3 breaks the mold with sharp reflexes that make it a top pick in its class for driver engagement.
A range of capable engines is available, starting with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel that's been added for 2015. This engine delivers 180 horsepower and a robust 280 pound-feet of torque, but more importantly boasts the strongest mileage in the engine lineup at 30 mpg combined. Most X3 buyers, though, will likely opt for the energetic yet frugal 240-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder found in the 28i models. Rounding things out is a turbocharged 300-hp 3.0-liter inline-6 that makes the X3 xDrive35i one of the quickest in its segment, with minimal compromises in fuel economy.
Complementing this crossover's fun-to-drive disposition is a cabin that melds opulence, comfort and utility. This BMW's interior furnishings are the last word in low-key luxury, with stylish design and outstanding materials quality. Front seats are endlessly supportive, whether you're whipping through canyons or logging highway miles on a long road trip. And the X3 is ready for family duty, thanks to its spacious rear seat and roomy cargo area.
The X3 faces impressive rivals, each with its own strengths. The Audi Q5 is the most synonymous with the X3, as it offers a similar blend of driving fun, utility and engine variety. The 2015 Porsche Macan is the class leader in handling and performance but it's significantly more expensive than the X3 and offers less cargo capacity. On the other end of the spectrum, the 2015 Acura RDX and 2015 Volvo XC60 are among the most spacious and family-friendly, and offer better value as well. The Mercedes-Benz GLK350 impresses with its uniquely angular elegance, but it's not as family-friendly as the X3, falling short in both cargo space and rear legroom.
Overall, the X3 shines as a very well-rounded model in the segment even if it's on the pricey side. It's a compelling choice for shoppers who want a luxurious family crossover that's also a blast to drive.
Performance & mpg
The 2015 BMW X3 28i models are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard on all BMW X3s, along with an automatic stop-start system. The latter saves fuel by shutting off the engine when stopped and then starting it when you take your foot off the brake. In BMW-speak, sDrive equals rear-wheel drive, while xDrive equals all-wheel drive.
In Edmunds performance testing, the X3 xDrive28i went from zero to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, which is slightly better than the overall average for the segment and as quick as some six-cylinder crossovers. EPA-estimated fuel economy stands at 24 mpg combined (21 city/28 highway) for both the sDrive28i and xDrive28i.
The xDrive28d is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 180 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. BMW estimates it will go from zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, which is slow for the segment but typical for a diesel. EPA-estimated fuel economy rings in at an excellent 30 mpg combined (27 city/34 highway).
The X3 xDrive35i gets a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 that produces 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. In Edmunds performance testing, the 35i hit 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, which makes it one of the quickest vehicles in this segment. Fuel economy is rated at 21 mpg combined (19/26), which is actually better than some of the X3 xDrive35i's less powerful rivals.
Safety
Every 2015 BMW X3 comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, automatic brake drying (useful in rainy weather), front seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, and active front seat head restraints, while AWD models come with standard hill descent control. Also standard is the BMW Assist emergency communications system, which provides automatic crash notification and on-demand roadside assistance.
The optional BMW Remote Services system upgrades BMW Assist with stolen-vehicle recovery and remote door unlocking. Other optional equipment includes front and rear parking sensors, a blind-spot detection system, a collision mitigation system, rear- and top-view parking cameras and a lane-departure warning system.
In Edmunds brake testing, an xDrive35i stopped from 60 mph in 123 feet, which is an average distance for the segment. An xDrive28i with 19-inch wheels stopped in 127 feet.
In government crash testing, the 2015 BMW X3 received five out of five stars in overall crash protection, with five stars for frontal crash protection and side impact protection. In crash testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the X3 received the highest possible rating of "Good" in the moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact and roof strength tests. Its seat/head restraint design was also rated "Good" for whiplash protection in rear impacts.
Driving
Don't dismiss the 2015 BMW X3 28i models based on their four-cylinder power plant. Acceleration is very quick, and these are among the most fuel-efficient models in the crossover segment based on EPA estimates. The auto stop-start function that comes with all X3 models helps with fuel economy but can be an annoyance in heavy traffic, as the engine doesn't restart as quickly or smoothly as we'd like when transitioning between the brake pedal and the gas. Fortunately, you can manually disable this feature. If your budget allows, though, the X3 xDrive35i will be hard to pass up, as its acceleration is very impressive, while fuel economy is still quite good in normal driving.
The X3 delivers on the promise of BMW performance in other respects, too. Take it around a turn with enthusiasm and it feels light and nimble. As compact luxury crossovers go, it's one of the sportiest, particularly with its optional suspension and drivetrain add-ons. And while the ride quality is definitely on the firm side, most people will find the 2015 BMW X3 quite livable, whether commuting along city streets or taking long trips on the highway.
Interior
The X3's interior will be familiar to anyone who has spent time in a BMW product. Classic analog gauges, sensible ergonomics and a restrained overall aesthetic combine to create a pleasant driving environment. Occupants will feel cocooned within the high-quality materials covering the seats, console and dash.
Overall, we're fond of the iDrive electronics interface, particularly with the higher-resolution screen that comes with the navigation system. An integrated touchpad allows a driver or passenger to use his or her finger to write letters for text inputs. The menu structure is straightforward, the graphics are crisp and processing times are quick, which helps minimize the amount of time you spend looking away from the road. That said, new owners should sit down and familiarize themselves with iDrive before hitting the road, because it's still a complex system and you can't master everything while the car's in motion.
Room for front passengers is more than ample, while rear legroom is downright generous and pairs with a truly comfortable seat. Indeed, this is one of the most family-friendly vehicles in the class. Total cargo capacity with the rear seats folded is 63.3 cubic feet, which is good for the compact-to-midsize segment.
2015 BMW X3 models
The 2015 BMW X3 crossover SUV is available in four trim levels that correspond to powertrain: sDrive28i, xDrive28i, xDrive28d and xDrive35i.
The sDrive28i model comes standard with 18-inch wheels, rear privacy glass, automatic headlights, LED foglamps, automatic wipers, a power liftgate, auto-dimming mirrors, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power front seats with driver memory functions, "SensaTec" premium vinyl upholstery, a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, the iDrive electronics interface with touchpad controller, and a 12-speaker sound system with a CD player, HD radio, an iPod/USB audio interface and an auxiliary audio jack.
The xDrive28i adds all-wheel drive and hill descent control. The xDrive28d adds to this a diesel engine.
Besides its more powerful inline-6, the xDrive35i adds adaptive bi-xenon headlights, LED running lights and a panoramic sunroof. These items are options on the other trims.
The Premium package includes the panoramic sunroof (sDrive28i, xDrive28i and xDrive 28d), keyless ignition and entry, hands-free tailgate functionality, leather upholstery, satellite radio and four-way lumbar support for the front seats. The Cold Weather package includes heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel and a retractable headlight-washer system. The Technology package gets you a head-up display, a navigation system with a larger main iDrive display, smartphone app integration and the BMW Remote Services emergency communications system. The Dynamic Handling package adds adaptive suspension dampers and enhanced speed-adjustable power steering. With this package, an enhanced torque-vectoring version of the all-wheel-drive system is included on all trims except the sDrive28i.
The Driver Assistance package adds front and rear parking sensors and a rearview camera. On top of this you can add the Driver Assistance Plus package (requires navigation), which has rear- and top-view parking cameras, a blind-spot detection system, a collision mitigation system and a lane-departure warning system. Adaptive cruise control is available with this package for additional cost. With the Lighting package, all trims except the xDrive35i get automatic xenon headlights, while adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams are added to xDrive35i models. Adaptive LED headlights are available with this package for sDrive28i, xDrive28i and xDrive35i models at additional cost.
The M Sport package features 19-inch wheels, roof rails, special exterior trim, sport front seats, special interior trim and headliner, unique door sills and footrest, and a sport steering wheel. All trims except the sDrive28i get an enhanced torque-vectoring version of the all-wheel-drive system. Also, all models except the xDrive28d get an eight-speed sport transmission with shift paddles. The xDrive28d gets the shift paddles minus the transmission upgrade.
Some of the above items, specifically the navigation system and heated seats, are available as stand-alone options. Other stand-alone options include a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system.

Our 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance Is an Edmunds U-Drags Assassin

Audi RS 6 Avant vs. BMW M5 Touring: Big Wagons Hit the Track

Tested: 2025 BMW M4 Is Pure and Nearly Perfect (and Pink!)

Our BMW i5 M60 Remains a Winner
Compare 2015 BMW X3 trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas
$184/mo for X3 sDrive28i
X3 sDrive28i
vs
$159/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
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.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3 out of 5 stars3/5Average
#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
$741/yr
vs. $559/yr
for Average Luxury Compact SUV
for Average Luxury Compact SUV
Frequency
1.71x/yr
vs. 1.23x/yr
for Average Luxury Compact SUV
for Average Luxury Compact SUV
Severity
13.6%
vs. 8.6%
for Average Luxury Compact SUV
for Average Luxury Compact SUV
powered by RepairPal
BMW X3 Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Great Compromise
5 out of 5 starspoppy42, 08/30/2014
2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
My wife wanted a mid size SUV which was NOT front wheel drive or front wheel biased.
This pretty much directed us to Audi Q5, BMW X3and Mercedes GLK350.
Each had its strong points, but the BMW X3 had the most useable space and no real negatives.
We're very happy with our decision. Ours was pretty well optioned and had the highest sticker price of the 3, but with USAA and BMW incentives, … wound up the least expensive.
The base engine has plenty of zip and is reasonably fuel efficient (not quite up to EPA estimates, but still not bad).
It handles nicely on the road.
If I did not drive a Mercedes E350 Sport, I'm sure I would be more effusive in my praise of the X3.
After 2-1/2 years, my original review is still accurate. I have never had to take the car to the dealership except for routine maintenance. My wife is the principle driver and she loves the car--excellent visibility, crisp handling, super functionality. She uses the car typically as a "grocery getter", but on 4 trips of about 500 mi. each, the car performed flawlessly. We have had no second thoughts about this purchase.
Two more years have passed and two more trips to the dealership for routine maintenance and two more trips to the beach. Our X3 has served us well.
We've had the car for 5-1/2 years now and only one unscheduled trip for maintenance which was covered by a recall warranty. We also replaced the battery at a cost of $400.00. My wife has a special birthday coming up and a new car has been mentioned (sorta). I have looked again at Audi Q5, BWM X3, and Mercedes GLC300. There have been no significant improvements to any of these cars. Some of the new passive safety features and technology are enticing, but not worth the $30,000+ it would cost to replace the 2014 X3.
Affordable to Buy, not so affordable to keep
3 out of 5 starscterry66, 09/18/2019
2015 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
I bought a used 2015 X3 with about 40K on it. I think the previous owner decided to trade it in after the no longer offered 4 year warranty expired. It was in good shape and drove very nicely and we wanted AWD so we bought it. I am a DIY guy so what I have learned is even the simplest of repairs turn out to be complicated because there is always some code that has to be reset on the … cars computer before the new parts will perform properly. This includes the battery, spark plugs, brake pads, etc. Parts, even non OEM parts are pricey. For example, a new battery was $200 plus $100 to have an independent repair shop reprogram the computer. Any way, we are going to trade this vehicle in and get a newer Japanese SUV before anything else goes wrong on the BMW.
Love averything but the tires
4 out of 5 starsC Miles, 08/04/2016
2014 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
I have had this X3 for 2 years and love everything about it except the "run flat" nitrogen filled tires. Twice a year ALL my tires show low tire warning with the temperature change. I live 25 miles form the dealership, so it is a little disconcerting. The dealership ALWAYS takes care of it timely as long as they are open. That is my only complaint on the entire car. I love the comfort … and convenience of everything on the inside. The headlights are amazing as I live outside the city and drive on long roads that I need to see the sides of the roads for deer etc, and a long way in front for any hazards. The mileage is great for the size of the engine I chose, which I love. Great pickup and great handling.
Never again, costly lesson learned.
3 out of 5 starsSad Panda, 09/12/2018
2014 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
Bought this car used it had 49k miles on it so 1k left on warranty. Chose to purchase a 3rd party warranty (mistake) to cover my car for another 2 years as BMW wanted $2.5k to cover it for an additional 36 months. In hind sight this would have been a spectacular deal. As my previous cars have all been Japanese I've never really had to do anything other then tire/oil and brakes, which is … why I chose to pass on BMW's offer. The first week the service engine soon light comes on so I take it over to the BMW dealer as it's still covered. They tell me oh it's just your brake pad sensor thinks you need new brakes. The service guy sticks his hands in the brakes and feels the rotors and says, naw you're good for awhile, the sensor will reset. Couple days later another service indicator comes on, take it back to BMW and this time it's something about pollution control. BMW fixes it and off I go. About six months after this we're at ~ 51k miles, I start smelling burning antifreeze and oil. Take it into my local import mechanic who I trust and have a good relationship with. They tell me my head gasket is bad and some hose related to the turbo need replacing. $1600 dollars later and I'm driving again. Since I'm tired of the brake pad nag, I decide to get all new brakes $650 more I'm ok with this as brakes are a normal wear item. At the moment I'm two years into owning this and have more issues I need to address before I trade this in for something that is well engineered. The tail gate has stopped opening, you tug on the handle and nothing happens, that new this week. Also the automatic engine start stop feature has started putting the car in park after shutting the engine off. First time it happened it was exciting as I was at a stoplight and pushing the gas and the engine was just rev'ing. As to trading this in, checking the various sites related to resale value.. this thing, BMW X3 has lost more value then any other BMW of it's generation. It's a nice driver and fun, but cost of ownership is not worth it.
Edmunds asked me to update my review. Here's my update. This vehicle is famous in my family as the worst any of us have ever owned. Expensive, unreliable and depreciated so fast I'll bet the dealer lost $500 between the time I walked in and when I finally signed the paperwork trading it in for a different vehicle.
Edmunds keeps asking me to update this review so...
Since my original review my mind hasn't changed. This car was one of the worst, costly, unreliable I've ever owned.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2015 BMW X3, so we've included reviews for other years of the X3 since its last redesign.
2015 X3 Highlights
SUV
sDrive28i
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $38,500 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $184/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 27.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the X3 include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover16.9%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
People who viewed this also viewed
3.9 average Rating out of 16 reviews. |
Starting at $66,300 |
2.7 average Rating out of 9 reviews. |
Starting at $49,250 |
4.4 average Rating out of 7 reviews. |
Starting at $41,350 |
Related Used 2015 BMW X3 info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- BMW M8 Gran Coupe 2020 Review
- Audi S6 2021 Review
- Buick Encore 2021 Review
- Ford Ranger 2021 Review
- Nissan GT R 2021 Review
Shop similar models
- Used BMW X4 2025
- Used Land-rover Defender 2025
- Used BMW X4-M 2025
- Used Land-rover Range-rover-velar 2025
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used BMW X3 2010
- Used BMW X3 2011
- Used BMW X3 2012
- Used BMW X3 2013
- Used BMW X3 2014
- Used BMW X3 2015
- Used BMW X3 2016 For Sale
- Used BMW X3 2017
- Used BMW X3 2018 For Sale
- Used BMW X3 2019
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- New Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
- New Acura ILX
- 2025 Honda Civic
- 2026 Toyota RAV4 Prime News
- 2026 Acura Integra News
- 2026 Acura RSX News
- 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV
- New Toyota Sienna
- 2025 Audi A3
- New Lexus RX
Research other models of BMW
- New BMW X5
- New BMW 8 Series
- 2025 M8
- New BMW X6
- 2024 BMW M4
- 2024 4 Series
- BMW 8 Series 2024
- 2025 4 Series Gran Coupe
- 2025 BMW 4 Series
- 2024 BMW X2
Research similar vehicles
Other models
- New Mercedes-Benz Maybach for Sale in Greensboro, NC
- Used BMW 5-Series-Gran-Turismo in Bellwood, IL 2017
- New Cadillac Lyriq for Sale in Lompoc, CA
- Used Toyota Prius-V in Kalamazoo, MI 2017
- Used Isuzu Trooper in Martinsburg, WV 2002
- Used Chrysler LHS in Glasgow, KY 2001
- Used Honda Pilot in Prairieville, LA 2025
- Used Oldsmobile Alero in Norman, OK 2004
- Used Kia K4 in Andover, MN 2025
- New Nissan Leaf for Sale in Taylors, SC