Just like their products, BMW has
been aggressive as a manufacturer in India. They have not been playing
the waiting game, rather BMW has taken the lead and tried to lead by
example. Their launches have been timed right and as a manufacturer BMW
has been proactive and you can only afford to do that when you have
supreme confidence in your products. When the BMW X3 is starting to show
its age, BMW decided to give it a makeover. The upgrades aren’t
numerous but enough to get attention. The X3 in India is available in
two engine options and the petrol variant costs Rs41,39,233 while the
diesel variant costs Rs48,12,358 ex-showroom New Delhi. The X3 however
isn’t the only one in its segment and its biggest competitor is the Audi
Q5.
Design
Despite
being a slightly old design the BMW X3 remains elegant to look at and
the build quality is exceptional. There are some obvious similarities to
the X5 and at the front you first notice the forward-slanting BMW
kidney grille and the large headlight. The classical twin round
headlights along with the round fog lamps form the familiar shape which
has now become a trademark for the German manufacturer. The X3’s profile
is characterized by the flared wheel arches and the short front and
rear overhangs and the lateral lines lend it a dynamic look. At the rear
the taillights have a distinctive T-shape styling. The X3 gets 17 inch
alloy wheels for the entry level variant while the top model gets 18
inch alloys.
Interior
The
interiors of the X3 feel premium and the material quality like the
exteriors is exceptional. Like on the 3-series the dashboard has three
distinct layers. The instrument cluster and the centre console are
contemporary to look at and the central display of the optional
navigation system merges well into the instrument panel. The steering
wheel comes with audio controls and compared with the Audi Q5
the interior on the Audi look fresh. There are also plenty of storage
areas inside the car and the driver seat comes with ample adjustment
options. The steering wheel feels a bit large for a relatively small
cabin. The seats in general offer good back and lateral support.
Ergonomics are good and all controls are placed intuitively and they are
easy to reach.
A drawback of the X3 is the lack of interior space
and except for the front passengers the legroom is limited for the rear
passengers. Headroom as well isn’t ideal for tall passengers. The
550-litres boot however is very practical. The rear seat can be split 60
: 40 and can be folded down either individually or together. As far as
equipment goes on the BMW X3 you get powered seats, sunroof, 6 CD
changer/MP3 player, Xenon lamps, LED tail lamps, parking sensors and
automatic wipers.
Engines and performance
For
the Indian market the X3 comes with only two engines options. The
3-litre diesel develops 258PS@4000rpm and a massive 560Nm of
torque@2000rpm. The 2-litre petrol version produces 184PS@4000rpm and
380Nm @1750rpm. Both engines are matted to an 8-speed automatic
transmission. The automatic transmission is smoother than the Q5 and the
gears change are sporty. The petrol motor reaches 100kmph in 8.5
seconds and has a top speed of 210kmph while the diesel reaches the same
speed in 6.2seconds and has a top speed of 230kmph. Both the engines
are tuned to run comfortably in the city and on the highway and power
delivery is linear.
Ride
Every
BMW is like a gem on wheel when it comes to handling. The car has a
direct steering, sits firm on its wheels and can attack tight corners
without any problems. The stiff suspension settings however do not
translate into good ride quality and the X3 feels a little too harsh on
bumpy roads. Equipped with Dynamic Damping Control, you can activate a
range of settings and change the BMW X3’s
road manners with a touch of a button. The X3 is a softroader and not a
SUV and its off road abilities aren’t comparable to the Land Rover
Freelander or even the Audi Q5.
Competition
The biggest competitor of the BMW X3 is the Audi Q5 but there is also the Land Rover Freelander and the Volvo XC60.
The Q5 looks better, boasts superior interiors and better off road
abilities. The X3 however is more fuel efficient and handles better. The
Land Rover Freelander is the best off roader in the segment but lacks
the build quality of German rivals. The Volvo
XC 60 has a futuristic design with better safety features and a well
build cabin. The XC60 however lacks interior space and the handling of
the X3.
Verdict
For a small SUV the BMW X3 performs
pretty well. It may have an outdated design and the cabin too doesn’t
have the futuristic dashboard found at some of its rivals. Instead it
offers good comfort, handling is the best in the segment and build
quality is brilliant. The engine performance especially of the 3-litre
diesel is mind blowing but the ride is a little too stiff.
Quotes
Autocar:
“However, the X3 lacks the ability to suddenly up the pace at these
speeds. The motor constantly has to work hard and performance is only
really good in the midrange. Stability at speed is far more impressive.
The X3 tracks faithfully even at very high speeds, there is absolutely
no hint of nervousness and the BMW feels glued to the road even at
speeds in excess of 180kph. A light but firm touch is all you need on
the wheel, there is no sloppiness in the way the X3 changes lanes, and
the brakes have plenty of bite and stopping power as well. The X3 is
also well insulated and feels quite refined at speed. There is very
little tyre roar, the car rides silently over expansion joints. In fact
so silent is the rest of the car, you sometimes hear wind swishing over
the mirror and the ‘A’ pillar.”
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