NWCN

The BMW X3 was introduced in late 2003.

Years ago, automotive research suggested the next big thing in cars was (drum roll please) station wagons.  I kid you not.  This vast compilation of data suggested that folks were growing weary of filling their cumbersome SUVs with copious amounts of fuel.   The best guess was that the retro station wagon was poised for a triumphant comeback.   Think it hasn’t happened?  They’re now called crossovers.

This is, as Martha Stewart would say, a Good Thing.  These vehicles don’t look like Ward Cleaver’s ride; crossovers are taller and often wear truck-like sheetmetal.   Riding on car chassis, they handle much better than truck-based utes.  Most are available with all-wheel drive.  Everyone but Ferrari and Lamborghini has one these days.  BMW has two: The seven-seat X5 and the smaller five-passenger X3 that I’m driving this week.

While I’m on styling, I’ll note that this vehicle gets the trademark twin kidney grille and Roundel logo, but it’s the only Bimmer in decades without a very distinct Hofmeister Kink.  Named after a BMW designer, it’s the trademark bend in the back pillar as it meets the bottom edge of the window frame.  Let’s pin it on stylemeister Chris Bangle, because folks like to blame him for everything, including the weather. 

SAVs

BWM calls their crossovers SAVs, or Sport Activity Vehicles.  Keep in mind they offer up true wagons in the form of 3 and 5-Series cars.  They’re even available with xDrive AWD.  For those wanting image and extra ground clearance to go along with utility, X marks the spot.

X3 is not new.  Introduced in late 2003, the X3 was criticized for its high price and very harsh suspension.  You’ve heard the term “rock hard” used to describe ride quality?  In the X3's case, the suspension tuning was so unforgiving, geologists were using it to describe their stones.  BMW engineers went back to the drawing board.

What they’ve come back with is still firm but livable.  Considering the X3 is tall, it carves up curves nicely.  True to BMW DNA, the X3 with its very direct steering is the best handling compact sport ute available.  The xDrive system, which is not for intense boulder hopping, is completely automatic except for a hill descent control button.  Hit a large bump and the chassis is solid as a vault.   It’s a decent highway companion too.     

What it offers

No slouch in acceleration either.  The engine is a 3.0-liter 260 horse inline six with 24-valves.  There’s 225 lb-ft of torque on tap.  This smooth six provides plenty of refinement and power; 0-60 is easily reached in seven seconds flat.  The six-speed automatic with manual mode gets slightly better fuel economy than the six-speed manual transmission, according to the fine folks at the EPA.  Heavy on highway mileage, I’m seeing 23 miles to the gallon on premium fuel.

The cabin uses the same quality plastics you’ll find in other BMWs.  The ambience is casual rather than luxurious.  My tester sports a heated tilt and telescope wheel plus a great view of the sky through the panoramic roof that extends to the back seat.  BMWs normally have turn signals that take some time getting used to, but the X3 uses a design like most other cars on the planet. 

The controls, with many identical buttons on the center stack, may confuse some owners at first.  My experience with the nav system has been humbling.  It’s a sad day when a man must admit defeat and break down to actually read the instructions.  Even worse when it’s front of his wife.  Safe to say the navigation system, which is not iDrive by the way, is far from intuitive with its mostly one-knob operation.

More amenities

The back seat is perfectly comfortable for two adults - three if they’re skinny.  The middle passenger has to deal with the transmission tunnel though.  This seat doesn’t slide back and forth to maximize cargo or leg room and the backs don’t recline.  It’s possible to treat rear passengers to heated seats if you order properly.  The split seat backs offer a center armrest with storage and cupholders along with a ski pass through for the intended active demographic.

In the cargo area you’ll find some nice adjustable tie-downs.  Under the load floor there’s a little storage space, but the battery takes up most of it.  There’s also a big crank that lowers the spare tire to the ground. Stocking up on TP?  X3’s cargo hold can easily handle eight jumbo Costco packs.  That’s about average in class. 

Sniggly complaints are an aux audio jack with a poor location (on the back of the center console).  The front seats may be very comfortable, but the passenger’s doesn’t fold flat to haul long items. 

My main concern with the X3 is price.  At a lofty $48 grand as tested, it’s a full $10,000 higher than its closest performance competitor, Acura’s RDX.  While the small Acura doesn’t offer the same level of refinement as the BMW, it’s big brother, the highly regarded seven-seat MDX does.  Same price too.  At this price, shoppers will also compare the Infiniti FX35, Lexus RX350, and Cadillac SRX crossovers.  Maybe even the Mercedes M Class.

I can see why people are drawn to the X3, though.  When you’re not skiing in the mountains it’s just the right size for surgical strikes in urban traffic.  The chassis is solid and it has that BMW fun-to-drive attitude deep in its bones.   To help defray overall cost of ownership, BMW pays for the first four years of service (or 50,000 miles, that whatever-comes-first thing).  All that and it doesn’t look like a station wagon in the least.  X3 may not be a bargain, but it’s a crossover that can show you a good time.