Photo: original image by autoevolution
When the X3 showed up in BMW’s range back in 2003, this was labeled as unconventional. Meanwhile, the German automotive producer has made a deep passion for attacking every possible niche, which means the X3 can almost be called a classic nowadays.
Speaking of tradition, in the purest BMW fashion, the 2015 model year facelift for the X3 (called LCI or Life Cycle Impulse in Bimmer talk), brings limited visual changes. Thus, if you want to spot a facelifted X3, you’ll have to check its front fascia. While the car may not sport the Adaptive LED Headlights on our test car, you’ll notice the kidney grilles flowing into the headlights.
Climbing aboard, the appearance updates are just as small. For instance, the instrument cluster is more modern, while the gear shift lever for the 8-speed ZF automatic has been gently reshaped.
The X3’s cabin is also a good reason to dislike its X4 nonidentical twin, thanks to the extra space it offers in the back, as well as to the heftier passenger compartment.
We spent quite some time with the xDrive20d version, which scraps the old 184 hp 2-liter diesel, the N47, for a new two-liter oil burner. This only offers 6 extra horses, while peak torque sits at 400 Nm (295 lb-ft). While the pulling power is obliviously not greater than before, the issues of the old engine have been left behind. Thus, the experience is now more refined, while the power delivery is noticeably more linear.
Alas, the xDrive28d, the only diesel offered in the US, which corresponds to the Euro-spec xDrive20d, still packs the N47 mill.
As for the moments when you reach a set of corners, the xDrive allows you to handle them as pleasing speeds. The RWD-biased feel of the xDrive from BMW’s other cars isn’t present here. Just like on the X4, the all-wheel drive on the X3 offers it a neutral character. And yes, this means the fun is gone.
Then again, this is a vehicle that can easily cater to the motoring needs of a family, so we have to understand the priorities here. Still, we wouldn’t have minded a combination between the two sides.
The car does know how to mix other assets, as you can find out in our 2015 BMW X3 review.
Climbing aboard, the appearance updates are just as small. For instance, the instrument cluster is more modern, while the gear shift lever for the 8-speed ZF automatic has been gently reshaped.
The X3’s cabin is also a good reason to dislike its X4 nonidentical twin, thanks to the extra space it offers in the back, as well as to the heftier passenger compartment.
We spent quite some time with the xDrive20d version, which scraps the old 184 hp 2-liter diesel, the N47, for a new two-liter oil burner. This only offers 6 extra horses, while peak torque sits at 400 Nm (295 lb-ft). While the pulling power is obliviously not greater than before, the issues of the old engine have been left behind. Thus, the experience is now more refined, while the power delivery is noticeably more linear.
Alas, the xDrive28d, the only diesel offered in the US, which corresponds to the Euro-spec xDrive20d, still packs the N47 mill.
As for the moments when you reach a set of corners, the xDrive allows you to handle them as pleasing speeds. The RWD-biased feel of the xDrive from BMW’s other cars isn’t present here. Just like on the X4, the all-wheel drive on the X3 offers it a neutral character. And yes, this means the fun is gone.
Then again, this is a vehicle that can easily cater to the motoring needs of a family, so we have to understand the priorities here. Still, we wouldn’t have minded a combination between the two sides.
The car does know how to mix other assets, as you can find out in our 2015 BMW X3 review.
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