2015 BMW X3

The external styling is impressive too with a few changes this year. It receives various features like BMW's iDrive system, panoramic moonroof, Xenon adaptive headlights and LED brake lights. It rivals the likes of the Audi Q5, the Volvo XC60 and the Acura RDX in the premium crossover segment. All the rivals offer tremendous comfort inside and incredible smoothness. Let’s see how the X3 goes against its rivals to compete for the best luxury crossover in the segment.

The 2015 BMW X3 is available in 3 trims with various engine and drivetrain configurations. The base model 28i priced at $38,500 features a 2.0L intercooled Turbo I-4 and is available with a standard RWD system. New addition to the lineup for 2015 MY is the 28d model which features a diesel-powered motor, which will be reviewed separately. The 35i trim comes equipped with a turbocharged 3.0L Inline-6 and comes standard with an AWD system with few additions to the features list like LED running lights, panoramic sunroof and Bi-Xenon headlamps.

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Though there isn’t much difference between both the trims in terms of features, the xDrive28i is the one that caught our eye as it is placed well between the more powerful xDrive35i and the sDrive28i. Priced at $40,500, it boasts a turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 motor with decent fuel efficiency and comes standard with an AWD system. It delivers impressive driving dynamics and comes with all the basic necessities.

The 2015 BMW X3 is available in three engine options, the 28i trim comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0L Inline-4 that mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This combination churns out 240hp and 260 lb-ft. torque. On the other hand, the xDrive35i comes equipped with a turbocharged 3.0L inline-6 that produces 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. 

To increase diversity, you also get a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder diesel engine added to the lineup this year that produces 180 hp and 280 lb-ft torque and comes with an automatic stop-start system that saves fuel by turning off the engine when the brakes are slammed.

The 28i is the only variant in the X3’s lineup that offers RWD as standard, while all the other options come with an AWD system. All the BMW X3’s in the lineup offer an 8-speed automatic transmission that provides quick responses while driving. The inline-6 turbocharged offered in the xDrive35i is pretty much powerful and feels responsive, taking this vehicle from 0-60MPH in about 6 seconds.

The RDX offers better figures when compared to all the rivals in the segment as it is powered by a bigger 3.5L V6 engine. The engine performance figures of the Volvo are at par with the BMW, but it loses in 0-60 dash by a considerable margin. Talking about the power to price ratio, Acura RDX wins hands down.

The 2.0L turbocharged 4-pot motor in the 2015 BMW X3 offers 24 mpg in combined usage and 28 mpg on the highway while the other 35i variant offers 19 mpg in the city. The diesel motor however offers the most impressive mileage, putting it among the most fuel-efficient diesel-powered compact SUVs. The X3 is now available with a stop/start feature, which automatically shuts off the engines when idle to cut the fuel usage and turns it back on as soon as the brake is released.

Talking about fuel efficiency, the Volvo offers the best MPG figures in the segment at 24mpg for city use, 31mpg for highway roads, which is better than what the BMW X3 has to offer. Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 offer an impressive range at 500 plus miles thanks to their large fuel tanks.

The 2015 BMW X3 has a neatly arranged and attractive interior on offer. It has a well-designed cabin with great ergonomics a crossover can have. The cabin has dark dashboard moldings along with a light lower section and wood trim accents with decent quality material used on the center console and door cappings. Talking about the seats, it can seat 5 people in two rows. The seats are wrapped in Sentatec upholstery but opting for the Premium package gets you leather upholstery. 

The vehicle offers firm and properly angled seats and ample head and legroom but the rear row seats feel a bit cramped. You also get eight-way power front seats with driver memory functions as standard. The optional sport seats available offer extended bottom cushions and thicker side bolsters. The rear seats can be folded to increase the cargo capacity. Apart from the standard features, you get plenty of packages like the M-Sport package, Cold weather package for added comfort and convenience.

The rear back seats on the X3 can be folded in 40/20/40 fashion and can also be folded individually. With the rear seats up, cargo space offers 27.6 cubic feet of storage and 63.3 cubic feet as seats are put down. Talking about rivals, the Acura RDX is the most spacious of all and offers plenty of legroom in all the rows. But it rides a little low thus affecting the headroom. Some of the major interior features include:

• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 8-way power front seats with driver memory functions
• SensaTec premium vinyl upholstery
• Leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
• Ambient interior lighting

How intuitive is the 2015 BMW X3 infotainment unit?

The ergonomics of the 2015 BMW X3 are impressive as they are and users can feel the supreme quality of touches and controls. The infotainment unit on the 2015 BMW X3 features a fourth-generation iDrive multimedia interface which gives a neat look to the dashboard. You get a touch-sensitive 8.8-inch display featuring a trans reflective screen. The steering wheel consists of various switches to the audio system and cruise control. You also get features like Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a touchpad controller, and a 12-speaker sound system with a CD player, HD radio, an iPod/USB audio interface. Some other salient infotainment features include:

• 8.8-inch touchscreen display
• Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity
• BMW TeleServices
• ConnectedDrive Services
• Touchpad controller
• 12-speaker sound system
• BMW Connected Apps

The 2015 BMW X3 gets a refreshed and stylish exterior look and now gets a large and emphatic headlight setup. The round headlights and fog lamps can be seen arranged in a triangular fashion which is a characteristic of BMW’S SAV. Coming to the side profile you get short front and rear overhangs and a flared wheel arch. 

At the rear, the taillights have a distinctive mushroom-like shape. Avoiding a rugged kind of theme it boasts a sporty tall crossover-like theme with a bit of aggressive look. You get features like 18-inch wheels, rear privacy glass, automatic headlights and LED fog lamps right from the base trim.

As compared to the rivals, the BMW stands second in terms of longest crossover among the pack, right after Acura RDX. However, BMW has the largest wheelbase among its rivals while the Volvo stands tall with 9.1-inch ground clearance. The Acura RDX gets the lightest curb weight while the Audi Q5 is the heaviest in the lot. That said, some of the exterior highlights of the BMW X3 include:

• Heated side mirrors
• Roof spoiler equipped with center brake light
• Chrome layered exhaust tips
• Aluminum roof rails
• Y-Spoke 18 inch alloy wheels
• Aluminum exterior trim

The 2015 BMW X3 has done an exceptional job in the safety area. It has scored an overall five-star rating in the NHTSA safety crash test. In the test conducted by IIHS, it has scored an overall ‘Good’ rating. As standard, it comes equipped with safety features like stability control, anti-whiplash, and a security system that can detect unwanted vehicle intrusion. Although the base X3 lacks advanced safety features, you get several add-on options like a 360-degree parking camera, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning. Some of the standout safety features:

• Top-view parking camera
• Blind-spot detection system
• Collision mitigation system
• Lane-departure warning system
• Adaptive cruise control
• BMW Assist eCall
• Adaptive Brake lights

The 2015 BMW X3 offers an impressive cabin experience with attractive styling and decent build quality. The interior is pretty spacious and promises a comfortable ride. The exterior boasts an aggressive design with style and offers a joyful driving experience. Compared to its rivals it might not be the best in terms of power but offers a nice package of good performance and decent fuel economy. It is a suitable choice for someone looking for a decent, comfortable and luxury crossover SUV.