.png)
It's safe to guess that the X3 is among BMW's best-selling models––in fact, it's the automaker's top seller globally as of this writing. Obviously, the crossover already has a winning formula, but now the automaker is ready to make some changes. For the 2025 model year, the X3 is entering its fourth generation, and it comes with quirky new looks, huge tech upgrades, and more punch for its powertrains. Beneath the restyled sheetmetal, however, this is just a reskinned version of the third-generation X3. Those who seek a complete overhaul will have to wait for the all-electric iX3, which will arrive later with an entirely new platform known as 'Neue Klasse.'
Despite sharing its underlying architecture with the previous model, the new X3 is still 1.3 inches longer, 1.1 inches wider, and an inch lower than the third-generation crossover. The slight proportional adjustments are paired with major styling changes, which include redesigned bumpers and lights, sharper lines, more extroverted grille designs, wider fenders, and a more pronounced roof spoiler.
While the X3's new design clearly takes after other new models––the latest 5-Series and X1 first come to mind––it departs from the rest of the lineup with a new version of BMW's fundamental kidney grille. On the base model, which has been renamed to 30 xDrive, silver housings wrap around a strange mix of vertical and diagonal bars. It's bold, but that's what we've come to expect with BMW these days. Meanwhile, on the M50, previously known as the M40i, a safer blacked-out design is surrounded by an illuminated housing, which is merely an option on the 30 xDrive.
Other styling differences between the X3's two trims include unique front bumper designs, differing wheel sizes (19-inch wheels for the 30 xDrive, which are upgradable to 20- and 21-inch versions), and a pair of twin exhaust tips for the M50 (the 30 xDrive keeps its tailpipes hidden).
The interior gets even more adventurous than the exterior, as it centers around ambient lighting. Not only is there a strip running below the much larger curved display, but there are also large illuminated pieces surrounding the center console and door panel controls. The lighting is capable of displaying two contrasting colors at a time (in these press images it displays both red and blue), and appears to serve as an unconventional replacement for materials such as wood.
The rest of the cabin features a redesigned steering wheel with a flat bottom, a new toggle-style gear selector on the center console, standard heated and power-adjustable seating, and Veganza faux leather upholstery. Customers can replace the latter with Merino leather or pair it with Alcantara accents if they so choose. It's also worth noting that the dashboard, which now features a lot of empty space on the passenger side, can be upholstered in a woven fabric derived from recycled polyester.
Getting back to that new curved display, it houses both the digital gauges and touchscreen infotainment system under a single panel, just like in every other BMW. The X3 now runs the company's latest iDrive 9 software, which looks to replace many of the vehicle's physical controls with digital ones. It also comes with support for a host of video streaming, music, and in-car gaming apps, along with an upgraded voice assistant and improvements to the built-in navigation system. Buyers can also opt for a head-up display, though it's still not standard on the base 30 xDrive model.
The X3's powertrain options undergo some slight changes to increase power and efficiency, though they aren't completely new units. The 30 xDrive features a 2.0 liter turbo-four assisted by a 48-volt hybrid system, and it now makes 225 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, which is up 7 hp and 37 lb-ft compared to last year. Going from 0-60 mph takes 6.0 seconds, and top speed sits at 130 mph. According to BMW, the 30 xDrive is now more efficient thanks to new intake ports and combustion chambers, an improved ignition system, and the use of the Miller combustion cycle. This model also mounts its starter-generator on the belt drive, and all-wheel drive now comes as standard.
The range-topping M50 uses a more powerful 3.0 liter turbocharged inline-six, which is also hooked up with a 48-volt hybrid system. This powertrain gains 11 hp and 59 lb-ft, which means total output is rated at 393 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. For this model, 0-60 mph takes a swift 4.4 seconds, and an optional package can move the SUV's top speed up from 130 mph to 155 mph. BMW also made changes similar to the ones it made on the four-cylinder model to improve efficiency, though it also added a revised high-performance turbocharger, made improvements to the oil supply system for the pistons, and bolted on a more rigid engine mount. The M50 also has its electric motor mounted directly onto the eight-speed automatic transmission.
Elsewhere, the M50 uses an adaptive suspension with electronically-controlled dampers, along with an M Sport rear differential and variable steering. There's also an M Sport braking system with fixed four-piston calipers up front and floating six-piston calipers in the rear. Most of this equipment can also be had on the 30 xDrive via an optional package. All X3 models are capable of towing up to 4,850 pounds as long as customers opt for the trailer hitch.
Production of the 2025 BMW X3 will start up towards the end of this year for North America, with sales expected to begin shortly thereafter. The automaker is charging $50,675 for the 30 xDrive, while the M50 will set buyers back $65,275.
Image Credits: BMW
Revealed
Jun 23, 2024
•
2025 BMW X3 Adds More Power, Gains Extroverted Styling Inside And Out
Technically, the fourth-generation X3 is a heavily reskinned version of last year's model.
It's safe to guess that the X3 is among BMW's best-selling models––in fact, it's the automaker's top seller globally as of this writing. Obviously, the crossover already has a winning formula, but now the automaker is ready to make some changes. For the 2025 model year, the X3 is entering its fourth generation, and it comes with quirky new looks, huge tech upgrades, and more punch for its powertrains. Beneath the restyled sheetmetal, however, this is just a reskinned version of the third-generation X3. Those who seek a complete overhaul will have to wait for the all-electric iX3, which will arrive later with an entirely new platform known as 'Neue Klasse.'
Despite sharing its underlying architecture with the previous model, the new X3 is still 1.3 inches longer, 1.1 inches wider, and an inch lower than the third-generation crossover. The slight proportional adjustments are paired with major styling changes, which include redesigned bumpers and lights, sharper lines, more extroverted grille designs, wider fenders, and a more pronounced roof spoiler.
While the X3's new design clearly takes after other new models––the latest 5-Series and X1 first come to mind––it departs from the rest of the lineup with a new version of BMW's fundamental kidney grille. On the base model, which has been renamed to 30 xDrive, silver housings wrap around a strange mix of vertical and diagonal bars. It's bold, but that's what we've come to expect with BMW these days. Meanwhile, on the M50, previously known as the M40i, a safer blacked-out design is surrounded by an illuminated housing, which is merely an option on the 30 xDrive.
Other styling differences between the X3's two trims include unique front bumper designs, differing wheel sizes (19-inch wheels for the 30 xDrive, which are upgradable to 20- and 21-inch versions), and a pair of twin exhaust tips for the M50 (the 30 xDrive keeps its tailpipes hidden).
The interior gets even more adventurous than the exterior, as it centers around ambient lighting. Not only is there a strip running below the much larger curved display, but there are also large illuminated pieces surrounding the center console and door panel controls. The lighting is capable of displaying two contrasting colors at a time (in these press images it displays both red and blue), and appears to serve as an unconventional replacement for materials such as wood.
The rest of the cabin features a redesigned steering wheel with a flat bottom, a new toggle-style gear selector on the center console, standard heated and power-adjustable seating, and Veganza faux leather upholstery. Customers can replace the latter with Merino leather or pair it with Alcantara accents if they so choose. It's also worth noting that the dashboard, which now features a lot of empty space on the passenger side, can be upholstered in a woven fabric derived from recycled polyester.
Getting back to that new curved display, it houses both the digital gauges and touchscreen infotainment system under a single panel, just like in every other BMW. The X3 now runs the company's latest iDrive 9 software, which looks to replace many of the vehicle's physical controls with digital ones. It also comes with support for a host of video streaming, music, and in-car gaming apps, along with an upgraded voice assistant and improvements to the built-in navigation system. Buyers can also opt for a head-up display, though it's still not standard on the base 30 xDrive model.
The X3's powertrain options undergo some slight changes to increase power and efficiency, though they aren't completely new units. The 30 xDrive features a 2.0 liter turbo-four assisted by a 48-volt hybrid system, and it now makes 225 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, which is up 7 hp and 37 lb-ft compared to last year. Going from 0-60 mph takes 6.0 seconds, and top speed sits at 130 mph. According to BMW, the 30 xDrive is now more efficient thanks to new intake ports and combustion chambers, an improved ignition system, and the use of the Miller combustion cycle. This model also mounts its starter-generator on the belt drive, and all-wheel drive now comes as standard.
The range-topping M50 uses a more powerful 3.0 liter turbocharged inline-six, which is also hooked up with a 48-volt hybrid system. This powertrain gains 11 hp and 59 lb-ft, which means total output is rated at 393 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. For this model, 0-60 mph takes a swift 4.4 seconds, and an optional package can move the SUV's top speed up from 130 mph to 155 mph. BMW also made changes similar to the ones it made on the four-cylinder model to improve efficiency, though it also added a revised high-performance turbocharger, made improvements to the oil supply system for the pistons, and bolted on a more rigid engine mount. The M50 also has its electric motor mounted directly onto the eight-speed automatic transmission.
Elsewhere, the M50 uses an adaptive suspension with electronically-controlled dampers, along with an M Sport rear differential and variable steering. There's also an M Sport braking system with fixed four-piston calipers up front and floating six-piston calipers in the rear. Most of this equipment can also be had on the 30 xDrive via an optional package. All X3 models are capable of towing up to 4,850 pounds as long as customers opt for the trailer hitch.
Production of the 2025 BMW X3 will start up towards the end of this year for North America, with sales expected to begin shortly thereafter. The automaker is charging $50,675 for the 30 xDrive, while the M50 will set buyers back $65,275.
Image Credits: BMW
