2021 BMW X3 M40i for sale in Billings MT

AS DESCRIBED BY EDMUNDS

 

What's new

• Many advanced safety features are now standard
• Android Auto is finally available
• A few previously optional features are now standard
• Part of the third X3 generation introduced for 2018

Overview

The 2021 BMW X3 is a well-rounded small luxury SUV. Whether it's practicality, safety, comfort, technology or performance you're interested in, the X3 delivers. It's a mainstay of BMW's lineup, giving you more room than the X1 and X2 while keeping the price reasonable compared to the larger X5. For 2021, the X3 receives more standard features, including some advanced safety systems, as well as Android Auto smartphone integration. These additions certainly help the X3's desirability. For our in-depth take, check out the details of our Expert Rating on the 2021 X3.

Though it doesn't stand out in any one category, the BMW X3 is a capable all-rounder. It's comfortable and enjoyable to drive. The cabin isn't as pretty as those of its contemporaries, but overall the X3 is a solid pick for a small luxury SUV.
Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10
How does the X3 drive? We tested the X3 xDrive30i. Around town, the eight-speed transmission smartly keeps the four-cylinder engine right in the heart of its power delivery. The high 6-second 0-60 mph result we recorded should be quick enough for most people. The brakes are strong for panic stops and easy to control in typical driving.

Around turns, the X3 provides composed and enjoyable handling that's often associated with BMW. Alas, the steering is typical of a modern BMW too. It's too easy to turn the wheel in the Comfort setting, making it a little imprecise. The Sport mode provides additional heft and quickness, but there's still not a whole lot of feel coming through the wheel.

Comfort

8.0/10
How comfortable is the X3? The front seats deliver the comfort and support needed for long stints at the wheel. A wide range of adjustments ensure a good fit for almost everyone. On bumpy roads, our test X3 had a fairly busy ride quality, which we partially attribute to it being outfitted with the optional Dynamic Handling package. The solid level of control means you feel impacts, but they don't reverberate through the cabin or bounce your head around.

At idle, it's so silent that you'll want to check the tachometer to see if the engine is running. There's a little bit of wind noise from the driver-side window at freeway speeds. Engine noise is pronounced under moderate to hard acceleration, but it's not unpleasant.

Interior

8.0/10
How’s the interior? The X3's cabin is spacious and smartly arranged. Most controls are immediately understandable. The large doors translate to big openings, and the sills are low enough so that you don't have to step up into the cabin. Various driver's seat and steering wheel adjustments ensure all instrumentation is easily in view. There's plenty of headroom for all passengers, while foot- and legroom are adequate for even tall passengers.

A tall roof means large windows all around, so there's a good view outside no matter where you look. Cleverly, the rear headrests are short so they don't cut into your view through the rearview mirror. The large side mirrors and optional blind-spot monitoring make lane changes safe and easy.

Technology

7.5/10
How’s the tech? The combination of touchscreen and dial controls makes exploring infotainment menus a breeze. The nav system is easy to use and the graphics are tack-sharp, although voice commands offer limited usefulness. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is included.

Storage

8.0/10
How’s the storage? Generous cargo space and plentiful interior storage options make the X3 a versatile SUV. There's a healthy 28.7 cubic feet behind the second row, which can easily be lowered from release handles in the rear, revealing 62.7 cubic feet of space. The door pockets are large and numerous, and we like the small compartment to the left of the steering wheel.

Car seat attachments are easy to access, and there's plenty of space for large child seats. The X3 can tow up to 4,400 pounds when it's equipped with the optional 2-inch receiver that includes seven- and four-pin connectors. We laud the capacity, which is among the best in the small luxury SUV category.

Fuel Economy

8.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The EPA rates the X3 xDrive30i at 26 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is an average number for a luxury SUV with a base engine. Still, our X3 beat that rating both on our standardized 115-mile evaluation route (27.7 mpg) and throughout its two-week test period (26.2 mpg average). An impressive result.

Value

8.0/10
Is the X3 a good value? Though the interior lacks the aesthetic appeal of some competitors, the quality is evident. Gaps are tight and uniform, and the switches and controls feel solid. The X3's pricing structure and feature availability line up squarely against the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC. A bit of an advantage comes from a few ownership perks, such as a longer free scheduled maintenance period.

Wildcard

7.5/10
Despite being a small SUV, the X3 relays driving excitement through its steering, handling and engine sound. These attributes make it a bit more entertaining to snake up a mountain road or barrel through a freeway on-ramp than some other vehicles in the segment. The X3 has an instantly recognizable shape that looks somewhat like a miniature X5, and that's a good thing. But we're less enthusiastic about the interior, which lacks the richness found in rivals.

Which X3 does Edmunds recommend?

The standard X3 sDrive30i is plenty powerful and capable for the vast majority of drivers. For those in colder climates, upgrading to the all-wheel-drive xDrive30i might be a worthwhile expense. The powerful M40i model could be a consideration for the rare SUV shopper seeking an overabundance of performance.

2021 BMW X3 models

The 2021 BMW X3 is available in four trim levels that are primarily based on engine choices, The sDrive30i and xDrive30i both receive a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (248 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) while the M40i gets a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (382 hp, 365 lb-ft of torque). An eight-speed automatic drives the rear wheels on the sDrive30i, and all-wheel-drive is included with the xDrive30i and M40i. The xDrive30e hybrid variant is covered in a separate review.

The sDrive30i and xDrive30i share the same features list with highlights that include:

• Power-folding heated mirrors
• Auto-dimming mirrors
• Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the vehicle when parking)
• Power liftgate

Inside, you'll find:

• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Simulated leather upholstery
• Remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app
• Wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
• 10.25-inch central touchscreen
• Navigation system
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• 12-speaker audio system

Standard advanced safety features include:

• Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
• Frontal collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)

The more powerful M40i further adds:

• Unique interior and exterior styling elements
• Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
• Higher-performance tires
• Sport suspension
• Upgraded brakes
• Keyless entry
• Panoramic sunroof
• Digital gauge cluster display
• Integrated navigation system
• Android Auto smartphone integration

Some of the M40i's features are available on the 30i as options. Other add-ons include:

• Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
• Automated parking system
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Leather upholstery
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated front and rear seats
• Ventilated front seats
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
• Trailer hitch
• Rear side-window shades
• Premium Harman Kardon audio system
• Wireless charging pad