The New BMW X3: A Refreshing Change from the Past

First impressions can indeed last, and the 2012 BMW X3 is a prime example of how a vehicle's first generation can leave a lasting impression on enthusiasts. In contrast to its forgettable predecessor, the new X3 has given us something worth remembering. As an entry-level five-passenger luxury crossover available in two trim levels – the X Drive 28i and the X Drive 35i – the X3 is compact, refined, and well-proportioned.

One of the key aspects that sets the X3 apart from its competitors is its balance and handling. The weight is distributed almost equally over its front and rear axles, providing great balance and sharp handling. This makes it an enjoyable ride both around town and on country roads. Additionally, the interior of this latest generation has undergone significant improvements, featuring premium materials and elegant styling that embodies BMW's quality standards.

However, there is a notable drawback – the price. Desirable options like navigation add significantly to the cost, which can be a turn-off for some buyers. Nevertheless, what truly impresses us about the X3 is its commanding view from the driver's seat. The tall seats and abundant glass provide excellent visibility all around, making it easier to navigate through tight spaces.

Another area where the X3 excels is in its adult-sized rear seats. In a segment dominated by compact crossovers that often skimp on rear space, the X3 delivers with ample room for passengers in the backseat. However, this comes at the cost of limited cargo space when the rear seats are folded, which can limit the X3's versatility.

The all-wheel drive system on the X3 is another aspect that sets it apart from its competitors. It truly zips through turns despite being comparatively tall for a crossover, and off-road, it reacts quickly to inclines and changes in road surface. While we wouldn't take it too far out back, a little mud and gravel won't bog this vehicle down.

Of the two trim levels available – our preferred reference point is the X Drive 35i – it's a real star performer when it comes to traction and handling. With its turbocharged 3-liter inline-6-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower, the 35i turns in 0-60 times of just 5.5 seconds. This impressive acceleration is complemented by a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission that provides respectable fuel economy numbers.

What's interesting to note is that the turbocharged 35i outperforms its naturally aspirated counterpart, the X Drive 28i, in terms of highway fuel economy. The base price for the X Drive 28i starts at $37,800, while a well-equipped X Drive 35i with premium audio, navigation, and Sport seats can cost upwards of $50,000.

Contrary to what some may have heard about previous generations of the X3, this new model presents a smooth, refined, and well-balanced ride that's hard to beat in its class. With the turbocharger, sport activity package, and navigation, it truly is the Driver's Choice among entry-level luxury crossovers.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwhoever said first impressions are Lasting Impressions would have a hard time explaining how we feel about the new BMW X3 while the first generation was forgettable the 2012 X3 has given us something worth remembering the X3 is an entrylevel five passenger luxury crossover available in two RS the X Drive 28i and the X Drive 35i compact refined and well proportioned the X3 is as Dependable around town as it is enjoyable around the countryside its weight is distributed almost equally over its front and rear axles giving it great balance and sharp handling the interior of this latest generation is much improved the premium materials and the elegant styling of the dashboard layout or what BMW quality is all about you know but it's just too bad that desirable options like navigation add so much to the price but you know what really impresses me is this commanding view here in the driver's seat BMW is definitely on target with that the tall seats and abundant glass provide excellent visibility all around we also like the adult-sized rear seats on the X3 a lot of compact crossover skimp back there unfortunately the smallest cargo space with the rear seats folded is is a disappointment it really limits the x3's versatility with the all-wheel drive on the X3 it really Zips through turns despite being comparatively tall for a crossover and off-road the all-wheel drive reacts quickly to inclines and changes in Road surface I wouldn't take it too far out back but a little Mudd and gravel won't bog this guy down of the two trims our pref ref is the X drive 35i it's a real star traction that turns in 0 to 60 times of 5.5 seconds you can than it's turbocharged 3 l inline 6-cylinder engine for that it makes 300 horsepower while the naturally aspirated 3 l inline 6 in the X Drive 28i tops out at 240 horsepower both engines come with a smooth shifting 8-speed automatic transmission that gives the X3 some respectable fuel economy numbers what's interesting is that the turbocharged 35i outdoes the 28i in highway fuel economy pricing starts at $37,800 for the base X Drive 28i expect to spend over 50,000 for a welle equipped xDrive 35i with premium audio navigation and Sport seats forget what you may have heard about the x3s of the past the 2012 BMW X3 presents a smooth refined and well-balanced ride throw in the turbocharger the sport activity package and navigation and you've got the Driver's Choice among entrylevel luxury crossoverswhoever said first impressions are Lasting Impressions would have a hard time explaining how we feel about the new BMW X3 while the first generation was forgettable the 2012 X3 has given us something worth remembering the X3 is an entrylevel five passenger luxury crossover available in two RS the X Drive 28i and the X Drive 35i compact refined and well proportioned the X3 is as Dependable around town as it is enjoyable around the countryside its weight is distributed almost equally over its front and rear axles giving it great balance and sharp handling the interior of this latest generation is much improved the premium materials and the elegant styling of the dashboard layout or what BMW quality is all about you know but it's just too bad that desirable options like navigation add so much to the price but you know what really impresses me is this commanding view here in the driver's seat BMW is definitely on target with that the tall seats and abundant glass provide excellent visibility all around we also like the adult-sized rear seats on the X3 a lot of compact crossover skimp back there unfortunately the smallest cargo space with the rear seats folded is is a disappointment it really limits the x3's versatility with the all-wheel drive on the X3 it really Zips through turns despite being comparatively tall for a crossover and off-road the all-wheel drive reacts quickly to inclines and changes in Road surface I wouldn't take it too far out back but a little Mudd and gravel won't bog this guy down of the two trims our pref ref is the X drive 35i it's a real star traction that turns in 0 to 60 times of 5.5 seconds you can than it's turbocharged 3 l inline 6-cylinder engine for that it makes 300 horsepower while the naturally aspirated 3 l inline 6 in the X Drive 28i tops out at 240 horsepower both engines come with a smooth shifting 8-speed automatic transmission that gives the X3 some respectable fuel economy numbers what's interesting is that the turbocharged 35i outdoes the 28i in highway fuel economy pricing starts at $37,800 for the base X Drive 28i expect to spend over 50,000 for a welle equipped xDrive 35i with premium audio navigation and Sport seats forget what you may have heard about the x3s of the past the 2012 BMW X3 presents a smooth refined and well-balanced ride throw in the turbocharger the sport activity package and navigation and you've got the Driver's Choice among entrylevel luxury crossovers\n"