BMW X3 Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision

in Car Comparisons
BMW X3 parked on a street

Source: Pixabay

The BMW X3 is a sleek luxury sports sedan offering a unique driving experience that almost mirrors a sports car. It’s fast and fancy - but that doesn’t mean it isn’t without issues. Before making any final choice about an investment in a BMW X3, it’s time to determine if it’s worth the money.

Whether you’re looking at investing in a new BMW X3 or settling for an older model, it’s helpful to understand the BMW X3 pros and cons. With knowledge of the benefits and drawbacks, you’ll have little issue determining if it’s the right choice for your life based on what’s great and what’s less than ideal.

What We Love: BMW X3 Pros

Let’s jump into this article with the best parts of the BMW X3 pros and cons. These are excellent reasons why the car might be perfect for your driveway.

Plenty of Room for Passengers

First, there’s plenty of room for passengers inside the BMW X3. Not only do passenger seats recline, but they also have comfortable cushioning to ensure comfort on even the longest journeys. The front seats come with 10-way power adjustments to ensure everybody is in the best possible position for a long ride.

There’s even enough room for passengers in the rear to bring one carry-on item (not too big) for entertainment and ease of access. It’s hard to beat the easily accessible comfort you will find in the BMW X3 when compacted to similar vehicles – though there are still some area for improvement, which we’ll dive into later.


BE CERTAIN YOU’RE GETTING THE BEST DEAL

CoPilot searches your area and lets you know if there’s a better deal on a similar vehicle nearby, so you’re always certain you got the best deal possible. The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. 


Powerful, Fuel-Efficient Engine Options

There are two engine options offered in the BMW X3 depending on the trim you select. The first is a 248-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the second is a 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder design. Both are fast and very fuel-efficient thanks to their unique design.

You’ll get 21-23 mpg in the city and 26-28 on the highway, leading to a combined mpg around 24-25 mpg. While there are certain cars with better fuel efficiency, the BMW X3 is unique in that it offers power. The second engine option can easily go from 0-60 mpg in 4.1 seconds, while the first takes 6.2.

Smooth Ride Every Time

The BMW X3 is one of the better riders out of the current lineup of BMW sedans, offering a smooth experience that seems to glide over the road. It’s very balanced, ending up smoother and sporty at the same time. 

One available add-on for the BMW X3 is the Dynamic Damper Control, which will add to the smooth riding experience. It adds Comfort, Eco, and Sport modes to the machine and thus improves its ability to take on various types of roads during your adventures.

Vast Standard and Optional Features

Finally, there are plenty of standard and optional features available in the BMW 3. You won’t feel bored with what it already has, but if you do, there are tons of choices to make the car feel more exciting. It’s sleek and built to make everyone inside comfortable along the way.

Standard features for the BMW X3 include items like a 10.3-inch infotainment screen, Bluetooth phone connectivity, in-dash navigation, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s an option to add on a wireless charging pad and even a secondary USB port.

What We Dislike: BMW X3 Cons

Taking a look at the good means we must examine the bad in the BMW X3 pros and cons. These offer the ability to make a well-rounded decision.

Less Premium Interior

Unfortunately, the interior of the BMW X3 isn’t as premium as many of its competitors. Though it does have excellent features and a sleek look, other competitors outshine it with their accents and features. Plus, other luxury cars tend to come with more technology and more high-class standard additions. 

Many customers have complained about the overall material quality of the inside of the car. They report that, although it looks good, there is much left to be said about what the products are made out of for the entire driving experience. 


THE BMW X3 YEARS TO AVOID

BMW may be a world-class brand, but they don’t always make reliable vehicles, including the BMW X3. We take a quick look at the BMW X3 years to avoid, plus the ones worth your time and money.


Side Mirrors Impractically Sized

Another con about the BMW X3 that not many people would notice at first is that its side mirrors are smaller than anticipated. They tend to be tiny and pretty close to the car, so the driver won’t get as much of a view of the side as in other luxury options.

There are extenders available for the side mirrors to make them a little more helpful, but that does mean spending more money on an already expensive vehicle. For the price, the side mirrors should already come in an excellent size.

Underdeveloped Infotainment System

Finally, the BMW X3 has an underdeveloped infotainment system that could use a little work to keep up with the standards of luxury in most cars today. While it does come with necessities like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it’s missing some critical additions you’d expect in a luxury vehicle.

While that isn’t the end of the world, it might be a problem for those looking to get the most out of their investment. Drivers who like their features and enjoy entertainment also might want to look elsewhere for a fast car that will better suit their needs.


AI-ASSISTED CAR SHOPPING

Never miss out on the best car, never overpay, and never get taken advantage of. Download the CoPilot app to see the magic of AI-assisted car shopping.


Should You Buy a BMW X3?

We’ve gone over all the BMW X3 pros and cons, which begs one final question - should you bother buying the car or stay away at all costs?

If you want an impressive performance and an upscale feel in your vehicle, you can’t go wrong with an investment in the loyal BMW X3. However, some competitors are faster and far more athletic than the BMW X3. It’s solid, but it’s far from the top of its class. 

If you decide to invest in the BMW X3, keep away from 2007, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2019 selections. They are the most problematic and will contribute to an unfortunate driving experience if you own them.



Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.