2008 BMW X3 Review

PROS
Athletic handling, Great steering and brakes, Good cargo space for class

CONS
Recalcitrant transmission, Firm ride, Mediocre fuel economy

An oxymoron is a set of two or more conjoining contradictory terms, as in deafening silence . . . or fun-to-drive sport-utility vehicle. By definition, an SUV is an all-purpose wagon that is both off-road capable and versatile enough to haul both people and cargo. Given the laws of physics, it would be very difficult to design an SUV that's true to it's mission while still being fun-to-drive.

That's just what BMW set out to do when it introduced the X3 in 2004. The German automaker started out with the chassis of the then-current 3-Series and added a high-built, four-door wagon body style with a full-time all-wheel-drive system. With a starting price of $38,000, the X3 is designed to compete with vehicles like the Acura RDX, Infiniti EX35, and Land Rover LR2.

Sole X3 model offering is the 3.0si. It seats five passengers on two front buckets and a split-folding rear bench seat. The only engine is an inline-six that displaces 3.0 liters and makes 260 horsepower. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. All models get a full-time all-wheel-drive system that includes hill-descent control and is designed to aid cornering by continuously varying power delivery front to rear. Towing capacity is 3500 pounds.

Standard safety features include antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, and front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags. Rear-side airbags and a front and rear park-assist system are optional. A rear-view camera is not offered.

The X3 3.0si comes standard with automatic climate control, tilt-telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, vinyl upholstery, eight-way power front bucket seats, center console, wood interior trim, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, sunroof, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital-media player connection, rain-sensing variable-intermittent wipers, automatic headlights, theft-deterrent system, fog lights, rear spoiler, roof rails, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Key options include leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, Bluetooth cell-phone link, sport package, navigation system, HD radio, and steering-linked HID headlamps. X3 is built in Austria and carries a destination charge is $775.

Get Up and Go
BMW quotes a 0-60 mpg time for the automatic-equipped X3 of 7.9 seconds. That feels about right and is on par with competitors. When pulling away from stop, the engine feels a little underwhelming, but power builds quickly and passing responsiveness is great.

Gear changes are pronounced in stop-and-go driving, and there's a noticeable shudder when coming to a stop as the transmission downshifts through the gears.

The standard all-wheel-drive system isn't intended for severe off-road usage and doesn't have a low range. It does an excellent job of limiting wheel-spin on slippery roads and can also apportion power front-to-rear in cornering to help the vehicle stay on the driver's intended path. This system only works under acceleration though, so it's not as useful as you might expect.

X3 3.0si with automatic is EPA rated at 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway and requires premium-grade fuel. Though not stellar, those ratings are are as good or better than compact luxury SUV competitors. In an equal mix of city and highway driving, expect to average about 19 mpg. If your commute includes a decent open-road expressway stretch you might average as high as 22 mpg.

On the Road
In the realm of vehicles, compact SUVs are among the worst riding. Handicapped by a short wheelbase, bouncy suspension, and all-terrain tires, most barely keep occupants from needing motion-sickness bags. BMW chose a different tact with the X3. Instead of giving it an extremely compliant suspension the automaker opted for a firm sports-car-like ride. Most bumps are felt, but the ride only grows tiring on extremely rough roads or on scalloped concrete expressways. Undue body motions are kept in check and there is very little head toss--which is common in other compact SUVs.

Thanks to this stiff suspension, the X3 is likely the sportiest compact SUV from a driver's perspective. There's little roll in turns and the suspension does an excellent job of keeping the tires in proper contact with the pavement. The steering is quicker and heaver than you might expect in a SUV, and that's a good thing. Brakes are strong and force is easy to modulate thanks to a responsive pedal. Another bonus is a tight turning radius.

Inside, X3 isn't as quiet as the Acura or Land Rover, but still considerably quieter the the compact SUV norm. Wind and road noise are never objectionable, but they are noticeable when speeds pass 50 mph. The engine cruises quietly and emits a refined growl under hard acceleration.

Behind the Wheel
X3 sports a stark but polished interior that is heavy on dark colors. Materials are appropriate for the price and assembly quality is above average. In typical BMW fashion, white on black gauges face the driver from behind an extra-large steering wheel and most commonly used controls are within easy reach. Climate and audio controls are placed high in the center stack but can be confusing to operate at first blush. Same can be said for the optional navigation system. With a little familiarization and a quick trip through the owner's manual, operation of both becomes intuitive.

The front seats are firm and heavily bolstered. This is great when blasting up a twisty road, but grows tiring on long highway trips. Leg room is exceptional and head room adequate. The steering wheel has only minimal adjustment and some drivers may want a little more upward tilt. The driving position isn't as high as in a traditional compact SUV, but high enough to give a good view of the road ahead.

Rear seats are flat and the cushion is somewhat low. Head and leg room are adequate for adults but knee space grows tight if the front seats are all the way back. Three across seating is best suited to children as the X3 isn't as wide as some compact SUVs. The available heated rear seats are a nice touch.

Cargo space is visually disappointing because it isn't very deep, but the absolute cargo volume of the X3 is actually better than most competitors. That's due to the X3's tall build and the fact that the seat back folds nearly flat. Interior storage is highlighted by extra-large front-seat map pockets and a deep center-console bin.

Bottom Line
X3 is an interesting conundrum. It's not really a SUV, nor is it a high-built wagon. It's a blending of the two with a serious dose of performance. That makes it unique among compact SUV competitors.

X3's biggest downfall is it's price. It costs thousands more than direct competitors at Acura, Infiniti and Land Rover and tens of thousands more than mainstream compact SUVs like the bestselling Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. That said, the X3 has excellent resale value and a great warranty that includes maintenance for four years. It's up to buyers to decide if the price premium offsets the X3's virtues because there are very few vehicles that offer it's blend of utility, performance, and compact size.