BMW X3 SUV 2014-2017 in-depth review _ Mat Watson Reviews

**BMW X3 Review: A Solid SUV with Some Quirks**

The BMW X3 is a solid SUV that offers a great driving experience, but it's not without its quirks. From the outside, the car looks great, but the design may not be to everyone's taste. The X3 has a flat low-bait feature with no load lip, which is great for those who want to store items under the floor. However, this means that there isn't much space left over in the cabin. The interior design is also somewhat dated, and it just doesn't have the same level of sophistication as some other BMW models.

One thing that's definitely not up to snuff is the ride quality. With standard suspension, the X3 can feel a bit too firm for an SUV. However, if you opt for the optional adaptive suspension, you get a more comfortable and refined ride. The handling is actually quite impressive, with great grip and responsive steering. But one feature that's been known to cause some issues is the annoying phone cradle thingy on the central cubby.

**Cool Tech Features of the X3**

The BMW X3 has some really cool tech features, including BMW Teleservices. This allows mechanics to check possible faults with the car remotely, which can be a big plus for owners who want to stay connected while they're on the go. There's also a subscription service that lets you dictate emails, texts, and even Twitter posts from the comfort of your own car. Other features include auto braking, which can spot vehicles and people (but not animals), and adaptive cruise control.

However, it's worth noting that BMW has had some issues with reliability in the past. A recent consumer survey found that the X3 is not exactly the most reliable car on the market. In fact, one reviewer mentioned that the pedals are so far set to the right that they feel like your feet are almost out of the door! Another issue that's been reported by some owners is the lack of a petrol version in the UK.

**Handling and Performance**

Despite its quirks, the BMW X3 handles very well. It's surprisingly grippy when you're not hooning it around, and the ride quality is actually quite good once you've got the adaptive suspension set up. However, visibility can be an issue, particularly with the large blind spot just there. But overall, the X3 is a great choice for anyone who wants a solid SUV that's easy to handle.

**The 30d: A Powerful Option**

For those who want more power from their X3, there's the 30d model, which comes with a 3.0-liter diesel engine that puts out some serious horses. This car can go from 0 to 60 mph in under 6 seconds, making it one of the fastest SUVs on the market. However, even at this high level of performance, fuel economy is still an issue, with the 30d model returning only 48 mpg combined - which is significantly lower than the manual version.

If you're planning to buy a BMW X3, it's worth considering the optional automatic gearbox, which is standard on the 30d but recommended for any other model. This auto is truly the best in the business, and it makes driving the X3 so much easier. Overall, the BMW X3 is a solid choice for anyone who wants a reliable and practical SUV that still offers great performance and handling.

**Conclusion**

The BMW X3 is a solid SUV that's easy to drive and offers a great balance of practicality and performance. While it has some quirks - particularly when it comes to ride quality and interior design - it's definitely worth considering for anyone in the market for a new car. With its powerful engine options, impressive tech features, and responsive handling, the X3 is a great choice for anyone who wants a solid SUV that won't let them down.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthe BMW X3 now this is a really good allrounder in fact you can think of it as the multi-tool of the car world because well it can be economical it's desirable it's fun to drive and it can also go off-road well to a fashion it's also very practical as well so getting in the back is nice and easy even for your elderly relatives because the door opening is quite wide and you you don't have to stoop down to get in so if I move across you'll see just how much room I've got and yes loads of new room and head room the X3 is brilliant for carrying rear passengers you can pull this down rest your arm on it if you want there's some cup holders there now as standard this car comes with split folding rear seats but you can pay extra to have three-way split so you can lower this central part here if you want to carry skis and maybe two people in the back at the same time or even large pieces of Timber if you want to carry three people in the back it's not that bad either yes you do have this big hump in the floor but the foot Welles are large the car's quite wide and so it is doable now if you want to see just what it's like with three people in the back click on the top right hand corner of the screen on the card to see our in-depth practicality review of this car and that brings us on to the boot so the boot on this car is absolutely massive and as standard you get an automated tailgate though if you're impatient like me you'll you yeah you'll end up confusing it sometimes I think it's easier to just do that okay yes like I was saying the boot is very large it's a nice square shape as well and you can get it with things like adjustable tether points lots of Nets straps Hooks and I like the fact that the parle Shelf you just flip it like that to remove it which is Handy what's not so good is that you can only fold down the seats using the levers on the top of the seats there's no clever release mechanisms at the back but you do get a flat low bait with no load lip which is great some underfloor storage there but unfortunately it won't fit the parcel shelf so you've really got nowhere to put this excuse me why am I still holding this thank you so another thing that I'm not so keen on dare I say it is the design no I know it's desirable of course it's desirable it's a BMW but I just think it's one of their least attractive models it's just not as sharp looking as a Mercedes GL see and it's the same story I'm afraid with the inside so the interior design it just looks a little bit dated I can't fault the build quality though this feels like a solid car and in car storage is good as well there's lots of cbes dotted about the place and Equipment that's impressive as well all you really need is the SE model because it's got pretty much everything you get leather seats you get parking sensors you also get satellite navigation and you operate it using this swivel wheel and touchpad system known as iDrive and it is is the best in the business and if you want to see our full review of it then click on the top right hand corner of the screen on the card for our in-depth video review of the iDrive infotainment system and that brings us on to the Cool Tech features of the X3 here's five of them with BMW teleservices a mechanic can check possible faults with the car remotely thanks to the internet connectivity you can catch up on stocks the weather and the news and it'll even read out stories for you when you're on the Move put the car into reverse and the wing mirror automatically tilts down so you can see your wheels so there's no excuse for curbing with a subscription service you can dictate emails texts and even Twitter posts from the car you can get the car with auto breaking which can spot vehicles and people I'm not too sure about animals though however not everything about this car is great according to a leading consumer survey the BMW X3 isn't exactly the most reliable car in the world oh dear in the manual version the pedals are so far set to the right that you feel like your feet are almost out the door don't like diesel well bad luck you can't get a petrol version of the X3 in the UK there's this annoying phone cradle thingy which just eats into the central cubby large rooms may look cool but they absolutely the ride quality you've been warned you can solve this problem with the optional adaptive suspension actually that setup is pretty essential on all models because BMW has given this car fairly firm suspension and it rides a little bit too bumpy I think for an SUV but on the flip side it does actually handle very well but if you got the Adaptive dampers you get the best of both worlds you get a comfort mode and you get a sports mode and then you can really exploit this car's when it's rather surprising grippy handling when you're not hoing it around it's reasonably quiet though you do get quite a lot of Tire raar when you're going up speed visibility is pretty good though the only problem is this large blind spot just there although the other pillars are quite thin and you can actually see for yourself by clicking the top right hand corner of the screen on the card to watch our 360° video this particular car is the x30d and it's powered by 3 l diesel which is absolutely storming so you can get this car from 0 to 60 M hour in under 6 seconds and BMW says it will return 48 mes per gallon though if I look at the trip computer I'm getting I'm getting 35 so not so good now most people will actually go for the lower powered 2 L diesel which is it's quick enough but if you do that make sure you upgrade to the automa gearbox which is standard on this 30d because that auto is brilliant it's I it's the best in the business and well BMW's manuals they're not the best in the business so then overall what do I think of the BMW X3 well it is a bit dated inside and the ride is too firm if you don't have the optional adaptive suspension but it handles well and is very practical now if you click up there you can see some more reviews and find out the best deal you can get on a car at car wow. co.uk thanks for watching click over there for our group test video between the BMW X3 the Mercedes GLC and the Range Rover invoke and if you enjoyed this video please like it share it and subscribe to our Channel now did you know the blue and white on the BMW badge actually represents the colors for the state of Bavaria not a white propeller against the blue sky as quite a few people thinkthe BMW X3 now this is a really good allrounder in fact you can think of it as the multi-tool of the car world because well it can be economical it's desirable it's fun to drive and it can also go off-road well to a fashion it's also very practical as well so getting in the back is nice and easy even for your elderly relatives because the door opening is quite wide and you you don't have to stoop down to get in so if I move across you'll see just how much room I've got and yes loads of new room and head room the X3 is brilliant for carrying rear passengers you can pull this down rest your arm on it if you want there's some cup holders there now as standard this car comes with split folding rear seats but you can pay extra to have three-way split so you can lower this central part here if you want to carry skis and maybe two people in the back at the same time or even large pieces of Timber if you want to carry three people in the back it's not that bad either yes you do have this big hump in the floor but the foot Welles are large the car's quite wide and so it is doable now if you want to see just what it's like with three people in the back click on the top right hand corner of the screen on the card to see our in-depth practicality review of this car and that brings us on to the boot so the boot on this car is absolutely massive and as standard you get an automated tailgate though if you're impatient like me you'll you yeah you'll end up confusing it sometimes I think it's easier to just do that okay yes like I was saying the boot is very large it's a nice square shape as well and you can get it with things like adjustable tether points lots of Nets straps Hooks and I like the fact that the parle Shelf you just flip it like that to remove it which is Handy what's not so good is that you can only fold down the seats using the levers on the top of the seats there's no clever release mechanisms at the back but you do get a flat low bait with no load lip which is great some underfloor storage there but unfortunately it won't fit the parcel shelf so you've really got nowhere to put this excuse me why am I still holding this thank you so another thing that I'm not so keen on dare I say it is the design no I know it's desirable of course it's desirable it's a BMW but I just think it's one of their least attractive models it's just not as sharp looking as a Mercedes GL see and it's the same story I'm afraid with the inside so the interior design it just looks a little bit dated I can't fault the build quality though this feels like a solid car and in car storage is good as well there's lots of cbes dotted about the place and Equipment that's impressive as well all you really need is the SE model because it's got pretty much everything you get leather seats you get parking sensors you also get satellite navigation and you operate it using this swivel wheel and touchpad system known as iDrive and it is is the best in the business and if you want to see our full review of it then click on the top right hand corner of the screen on the card for our in-depth video review of the iDrive infotainment system and that brings us on to the Cool Tech features of the X3 here's five of them with BMW teleservices a mechanic can check possible faults with the car remotely thanks to the internet connectivity you can catch up on stocks the weather and the news and it'll even read out stories for you when you're on the Move put the car into reverse and the wing mirror automatically tilts down so you can see your wheels so there's no excuse for curbing with a subscription service you can dictate emails texts and even Twitter posts from the car you can get the car with auto breaking which can spot vehicles and people I'm not too sure about animals though however not everything about this car is great according to a leading consumer survey the BMW X3 isn't exactly the most reliable car in the world oh dear in the manual version the pedals are so far set to the right that you feel like your feet are almost out the door don't like diesel well bad luck you can't get a petrol version of the X3 in the UK there's this annoying phone cradle thingy which just eats into the central cubby large rooms may look cool but they absolutely the ride quality you've been warned you can solve this problem with the optional adaptive suspension actually that setup is pretty essential on all models because BMW has given this car fairly firm suspension and it rides a little bit too bumpy I think for an SUV but on the flip side it does actually handle very well but if you got the Adaptive dampers you get the best of both worlds you get a comfort mode and you get a sports mode and then you can really exploit this car's when it's rather surprising grippy handling when you're not hoing it around it's reasonably quiet though you do get quite a lot of Tire raar when you're going up speed visibility is pretty good though the only problem is this large blind spot just there although the other pillars are quite thin and you can actually see for yourself by clicking the top right hand corner of the screen on the card to watch our 360° video this particular car is the x30d and it's powered by 3 l diesel which is absolutely storming so you can get this car from 0 to 60 M hour in under 6 seconds and BMW says it will return 48 mes per gallon though if I look at the trip computer I'm getting I'm getting 35 so not so good now most people will actually go for the lower powered 2 L diesel which is it's quick enough but if you do that make sure you upgrade to the automa gearbox which is standard on this 30d because that auto is brilliant it's I it's the best in the business and well BMW's manuals they're not the best in the business so then overall what do I think of the BMW X3 well it is a bit dated inside and the ride is too firm if you don't have the optional adaptive suspension but it handles well and is very practical now if you click up there you can see some more reviews and find out the best deal you can get on a car at car wow. co.uk thanks for watching click over there for our group test video between the BMW X3 the Mercedes GLC and the Range Rover invoke and if you enjoyed this video please like it share it and subscribe to our Channel now did you know the blue and white on the BMW badge actually represents the colors for the state of Bavaria not a white propeller against the blue sky as quite a few people think\n"