Used 2021 BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid
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2021 BMW X3 Hybrid Review
byTravis Langness
Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.
Pros
- Smooth ride and comfortable seats
- Wide variety of standard and optional features for personalization
- Roomy interior for both front and rear passengers
Cons
- Limited real-world EV range
- Lower overall fuel economy than the gas-only X3
- Questionable value proposition of the plug-in hybrid
What's new
- Many advanced safety features are now standard
- Android Auto is finally available
- A few previously optional features are now standard
- Part of the third X3 generation introduced for 2018
The 2021 BMW X3 is a well-rounded small luxury SUV. Whether it's practicality, safety, comfort, technology or performance you're interested in, the X3 delivers. It's a mainstay of BMW's lineup, giving you more room than the X1 and X2 while keeping the price reasonable compared to the larger X5.
BMW also gives you the option of making your X3 a little greener with the xDrive30e. It's a plug-in hybrid, which means it has a regular gasoline engine plus a hybrid system that you can charge using an external power supply. Charge up the hybrid battery and the X3 xDrive30e offers an EPA-estimated 18 miles of electric range. When it runs out of juice, it operates like a standard hybrid and uses its turbocharged four-cylinder engine to keep things moving.
If you're charging it up between daily commutes, this X3 hybrid might make a good deal of sense. Unfortunately, fuel economy is disappointing once you run out of electricity. The plug-in hybrid X3 gets an estimated 24 mpg, while the regular X3 (with all-wheel drive) gets 26 mpg. That, plus the higher price, makes the value proposition questionable. Check out our expert rating for our in-depth take on this plug-in X3 hybrid.
Edmunds Expert Rating
great
8.1/10
Edmunds Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
The BMW X3 plug-in hybrid is a bit of an odd duck. On one hand, it's more expensive on paper and thirstier than the gas-only X3, and observed EV-only range falls short of EPA estimates. Conversely, the hybrid is quicker and might cost less if you qualify for all the available tax rebates. The hybrid's value proposition is questionable, but the underlying X3 platform ensures the xDrive30e's excellence compared to other plug-in hybrid SUVs.
Rated for you by America's best test team.
Which X3 does Edmunds recommend?
In its plug-in hybrid trim, the X3 is only sold in one trim level, the xDrive30e. There are a number of options, however, and we recommend two specific option packages: the Convenience package and the Driving Assistance Professional package. If you're looking for a few more creature comforts, such as heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel, the Premium package is a nice addition too.
2021 BMW X3 models
The 2021 BMW X3 plug-in hybrid comes in only one trim, dubbed xDrive30e. It is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired to a plug-in hybrid system. Total output stands at 288 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. According to BMW, fully charging the 12-kWh battery pack using a standard 120-volt outlet takes 11.5 hours. It only requires 3.5 hours at a Level 2 charging station.