The new BMW X3 is smaller, more carlike and more affordable than the larger BMW X5 sport-utility vehicle, which it visually resembles.
The four-door X3 uses key components from various BMW car models. It's about 600 pounds lighter and four inches shorter than the X5, but a clever design gives it nearly the same passenger room and a little more cargo space.
The sport-ute market is projected to be hot over the next few years, with smaller sport-utilities expected to be especially popular. BMW thus decided to offer a more user-friendly companion to the X5, although that vehicle has been a hit since introduced for 2000.
The X5 is made in South Carolina, but BMW turned to the Magna Steyr plant in Arnold Schwarzenegger's hometown of Graz, Austria, to assemble the X3 because it would take too long to build a new plant and train a workforce for that vehicle.
The all-wheel-drive X3 has a much lower base price than the all-wheel-drive X5. The base X3 2.5i with a 2.5-liter, 184-horsepower inline six-cylinder engine costs $30,300, whereas the lowest-priced X5 is about $10,000 more.
The higher-line X3 3.0i with its inline 3-liter, 225-horsepower "six'' is priced at $36,300, whereas the top-line X5 costs $51,500.
However, X3 prices can soar if a buyer orders a bunch of desirable options.
For example, the large power glass sunroof for the X3 is in the Premium option package, which costs $3,800 for the 2.5i and $3,300 for the 3.0i.
That package also contain features such as dual power front seats and cruise control for the X3, attractive dark wood trim for both models and leather upholstery for the 3.0i, which has some of the package's items as standard equipment.
One option most X3 buyers should avoid is the $1,500 Sport Package, because it contains a sport suspension that enhances handling but provides a ride too stiff for anything but smooth roads.
A five-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift feature is an additional $1,275. It's worth the money unless an X3 owner really likes to shift gears with the standard six-speed manual gearbox.
The gearbox has a rather mushy shifter with long throws and a light but very long-throw clutch. A driver can learn to make precise shifts, but a better shifter and more user-friendly clutch would be appreciated.
One saving grace for the manual gearbox: The engine in the 3.0i produces so much torque that it lets a driver comfortably start off in second gear and then shift to fourth or even fifth gear for in-town driving. Continually upshifting through five gears in town calls for too much effort with that shifter and clutch. (Sixth gear is an overdrive gear mainly intended for comfortable highway cruising.)
The slick automatic transmission really makes a lot more sense for Chicago area driving. It hurts acceleration, but not by much. The X3 is fast with the 3-liter engine and moderately fast with the smaller one.
Fuel economy is an estimated 18 mpg in the city and 24-25 on the highway for the 2.5i. The figures for the 3.0i are 16-17 mpg in the city and 23-25 on highways. The bigger, heavier X5 does a lot worse, although the X5 base engine is the same one found in the X3 3.0i.
The solidly built X3 is smaller and sportier than many luxury sport-utes and is more practical for daily use than the X5.
BMW's new xDrive all-wheel-drive system uses the traction control system to help feed the right amount of power to front and rear wheels. The xDrive system, which operates in rear-drive mode some of the time, has no low-range gearing for rough off-road driving. Rather, it's designed to enhance on-road handling. The hill-descent control feature thus seems superfluous because that's an item for tough off-road driving; it limits steep downhill speeds.
Steering is quick and precise, and the X3 has a tight turning radius. But the steering has a rather numb, isolated feel -- a surprise for a BMW because the automaker is known for its extraordinary steering.
Handling is very good for a rather tall sport-utility, assisted by an anti-skid/traction control system. Still, there's some body sway during quick maneuvers, especially with the base suspension.
Despite the all-independent suspension, some may find the ride too firm -- even without the Sport Package. The brake pedal has a nice feel, and stopping distances are short with the standard anti-lock brakes.
Safety features include front side air bags and curtain side air bags. Rear torso side air bags cost $385.
Outside door handles are oversized for quick entry. It only calls for a little extra effort to get in and out because the floor is low, although adults with shorter legs may object to the rather wide door sills.
The seating position is relatively high and front seats are very supportive. There's plenty of comfortable room for four tall adults; five slim occupants fit, but the center of the rear seat is uncomfortably stiff for a fifth occupant.
Gauges can be easily read, and the positioning and size of controls make them easy to use. A nice touch is a pop-out cupholder on the far right side of the dashboard for the front passenger. (The driver has a center console cupholder.) The covered center console storage area is deep.
Opening the one-piece tailgate reveals a fairly spacious cargo area, which can be enlarged by flipping forward the rear seatbacks.
The X3 isn't as large as many rivals with similar base prices, but compensates for that with its performance, upscale status and good resale value.
2004 BMW X3 Prices
$30,300-$36,300
Likes
Fairly convenient size. Fast with larger six-cylinder engine. Good handling.
Dislikes
Very firm ride. Mushy manual shifter and long-throw clutch. Costly option packages.