The 2016 BMW X3 is available in four different trim levels to choose from, viz. sDrive28i, xDrive28i, xDrive28d, and xDrive35i. Starting at $38,950, the base sDrive28i model is more than enough for most people with features like power-adjustable front seats with driver memory functions, automatic headlights, LED fog lamps, a power liftgate, and a plethora of other tech features and creature comforts. The xDrive28i is basically the sDrive28i, but replaces the RWD drivetrain with an AWD one, and adds a hill descent control feature on top of it. 

Then comes the xDrive28d, which is basically the xDrive28i, but replaces the base gasoline engine with a diesel-powered one. Then there’s the top-of-the-range xDrive35i which replaces the base 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a more powerful 6-cylinder gasoline-powered unit. Along with that, it also gets some updates such as adaptive xenon headlights, adaptive LED taillights, a panoramic sunroof, and a premium 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system as well.

With regards to options and packages, the 2016 BMW X3 offers a lot of options to its customers, which includes both major packages and a la carte items as well. Optional packages in the 2016 BMW X3 include:

• Premium package
• Cold Weather package
• Technology Package
• Dynamic Handling Package
• Driver Assistance Package
• Driver Assistance Plus Package
• Mobile Assistance package

There’s also a Lighting Package that adds adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams to the xDrive35i, while the lesser trims get xenon headlights and adaptive LED taillights, with the LED headlights being available at an additional cost. But that’s not all. If you want to stand out among the X3 owners, you can equip your X3 with the M Sport package which features bigger 19” wheels, torque-vectoring AWD, an aerodynamic body kit, sport front seats, special interior trim, and a sport steering wheel as well.

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To be honest, the base sDrive28i offers so much more than what you would ever ask, especially at its price point. It might have a "SensaTec" premium vinyl upholstery as standard, but you can upgrade to leather upholstery with the available Premium Package. In fact, you can customize it just the way you want with the plethora of optional packages and a la carte items available for the car. But if you’ve got the cash and want to get full-on with the car, you can go for the top-spec xDrive35i trim without any hesitation. In fact, you can get most of the features as standard with the range-topping xDrive35i trim and save a few bucks as well.

Under the hood of the 2016 BMW X3 is any one of the three different engines available, depending on the trim level you get. The 28i models are powered by a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline-powered engine making 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Peak torque is achieved at just 1,250 rpm, which makes this engine very responsive. The 28d model uses a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine that makes 180 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Lastly, the top-spec 35i model comes powered by a 3.0L turbocharged inline-6 producing a maximum of 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque as well. So the turbocharged 6-cylinder engine is the natural choice for those who want the most performance.

Both gasoline engines have Valvetronic variable valve timing and direct fuel injection. With any engine, the X3 comes paired with a responsive and quick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission. BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system works together with the stability control electronics and normally sends 60 percent of torque to the rear wheels. While the officially claimed 0 to 60 mph time for the base engine is 6.5 seconds, it can do better than that. It has been found hitting 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds flat, along with a quarter-mile time of 14.7 seconds. The xDrive35i is capable of a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.3 seconds, along with a relatively faster quarter-mile time of 13.9 seconds.

While the BMW X3 might be one of the faster cars in its segment, it is still pretty much in a very similar ballpark with most of its competitors, be it their acceleration, quarter-mile timings, or their top speeds. In fact, they are far more closely matched than you would expect, even the Acura RDX with its relatively different powertrain setup compared to the rest.

The base 2.0L turbo-4 engine powering the sDrive28i, and the xDrive28i manages fuel economy figures of 21, 28, and 24 mpg in the city, highway, and combined respectively. Then you have the most powerful offering in the lineup, the xDrive35i with the 3.0L turbocharged inline-6 engine capable of delivering 19, 27, and 22 mpg in the city, highway, and combined respectively.

In terms of fuel economy, the BMW X3 and most of its competitors are very closely matched. However, the Audi Q5 takes the win with its large fuel tank, and with its excellent fuel economy, it offers a 554-mile driving range on the highway.

The interior of the 2016 X3 looks and feels pretty sophisticated, and the controls do have a steep learning curve to them. Other than that, there is nothing to complain about regarding the quality of materials used and the build quality of the car. In fact, the use of high-quality and rich-looking materials all around the car makes it feel more upscale for what it is, especially for its segment. With highly supportive front seats, it is more of a car to drive around, rather than being driven around. Overall, the interior of the X3 is a pretty special place to be in.

While you get convenience features like power-adjustable front seats as standard right from the base trim level, luxury features like heated front and rear seats are optional add-ons, such as a heated steering wheel, which is the same even for the top-of-the-line xDrive35i trim. In terms of upholstery, the 2016 X3 comes with "SensaTec" premium vinyl upholstery as standard across the trim levels. If you want to upgrade it to leather upholstery, you need to opt for the Premium Package, which also adds four-way lumbar support for the front seats as well. The rear seatback has a 40/20/40 split-folding configuration so that it can be folded for any combination of passengers and cargo.

The BMW X3 is at a bit of a disadvantage in the competition when it comes to front and rear legroom. But it is not that the BMW X3 is cramped in any way or form. In fact, room for the front passengers is overly sufficient, while the rear legroom is downright decent for what it is. The cargo area behind the rear seats measures 27.6 cu-ft., and the total cargo capacity with the rear seatbacks folded down is 63.3 cu-ft., both of which are pretty decent numbers by its class standards. Standout interior features:

• Power adjustable front seats with driver seat memory
• Heated front and rear seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Leather upholstery
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Ski pass-through
• Steering wheel audio controls

How intuitive is the 2016 BMW X3’s infotainment unit?

As mentioned earlier, the 2016 BMW X3 gets an enhanced USB and Bluetooth standard on the trims. The base trim starts off with BMW's popular iDrive electronics interface which comes with a touchpad controller for easy navigation of the menus. A CD player is paired with a 9-speaker sound system with HD radio, USB, and AUX ports, along with Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity; which remains pretty much the same till the top-of-the-line xDrive35i, which gets an upgraded 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system as standard. 

Unfortunately, none of the trims come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, but the Technology Package does include BMW’s own smartphone app integration, along with BMW Remote Services as well. An integrated touchpad makes it easy to navigate through the menus. Standout infotainment features:

• Central infotainment display
• Touchpad controller
• 9 / 16-speaker audio system
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Satellite Radio
• HD Radio
• Mobile Office
• iSpeech voice control for contacts and music

With all the distinct design elements, the X3 looks distinctively like a BMW, especially with that kidney grille at the front. The aggressive front and rear fascia give it a pretty sporty aesthetics. In other words, the 2016 X3 does look the part, and it matches the sporty aesthetics of the car. If you want your X3 to stand out among the rest, you can opt for the M Sport Package which equips the car with 19-inch M light-alloy double-spoke wheels, high-gloss roof rails, an aero kit, and a Shadowline exterior trim among the exterior enhancements. The wheelbase is one of the longest in the segment at 110.6 inches. While the ground clearance is pretty high at 8” off the ground, the X3 is not much of an off-roader, to be honest. It feels more at home on the tarmac.

If we compare the exterior dimensions of the BMW X3 and its competitors, we would find that they are actually fairly similar in most parts. While the Acura RDX is the longest car here by a small margin, by contrast, it has one of the shortest wheelbases in the competition. Other than that, the rest of the cars are actually very similar in this regard. Standout exterior features:

• Power mirrors with integrated turn signals
• Mirror memory
• Aluminum wheels
• Sun/moonroof
• Automatic headlights

On top of all the generic passive safety features like airbags and seat belts to protect the occupants during the event of a crash, the BMW X3 also comes equipped with a plethora of advanced driver assistance features under the BMW ConnectedDrive’s Driving Assistant Plus suite to prevent crashes from happening in the first place. 

The Driving Assistant Plus suite includes features like Lane Departure Warning, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function and pedestrian warning with preventive pedestrian protection. BMW’s commitment to safety can be seen in the car’s crash test reports. So the NHTSA rated the 2016 BMW X3 an overall rating of 5 stars. The BMW X3 has a rollover risk of 16.90%, which is decent for an SUV. Standout safety features:

• Advanced Real-Time Traffic Information (ARTTI)
• Intelligent Emergency Call function
• Anti-dazzle High Beam Assistant
• Forward collision warning
• City collision mitigation
• Active blind-spot monitor

A very good option in the compact luxury crossover SUV segment, the BMW X3 holds its own value proposition in the market. It stands out from the rest due to its dynamic characteristics and athletic handling. With a strong engine under the hood and a sporty suspension setup, it is one of the best driver’s cars in its segment. And with a pretty upscale interior for the segment, there is nothing much to complain about the car. It might be argued to be one of the most balanced SUVs in the compact crossover segment with regards to sportiness and practicality. All-in-all, a pretty capable and practical piece of kit, the 2016 BMW X3 is a must on your test-drive list when looking for a car of its class.