2023 BMW X3 xDrive30i for sale in Billings MT

AS REVIEWED BY EDMUNDS

2023 BMW X3 Review

byCameron Rogers
Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).
rating written byBrent Romans
Senior Manager, Written Content
Brent Romans has worked in the automotive industry since 1996. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Brent is a senior manager of written content at Edmunds and previously contributed to publications such as Super Street and Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. His personal car is a 2019 BMW M2 Competition, which he bought for its ideal combination of performance, style and practicality.

Pros

• Both available engines are powerful and fuel-efficient
• Wide variety of standard and optional features for personalization
• Roomy interior for all passengers

Cons

• Interior design lacks premium style of some competitors

What's new

• Minor changes to feature availability
• Part of the third X3 generation introduced in 2018

Overview

The X3 is BMW's best-selling vehicle, hot off a midcycle refresh for the 2022 model year. The venerable small luxury SUV is plenty sporty and fun to drive, and it offers reasonable storage and fuel economy as a five-seater, two-row vehicle. The X3 sits between the compact X1 and the larger X5, which offers optional three-row seating.

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 BMW X3 sDrive30i 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.17 per gallon for premium unleaded in Montana.

Monthly estimates based on costs in Montana
$203/mo for X3 sDrive30i
X3 sDrive30i 
$196/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Calculate my fuel costs

2022 brought a number of changes to the X3, including updated styling, a streamlined trim lineup and an upgraded user interface. Given the breadth of adjustments made for last year's refresh, it comes as no surprise that the 2023 X3 carries forward relatively unchanged.

The X3 competes in a crowded landscape and fares well as a capable all-arounder in a small luxury SUV class that's topped by the Edmunds Top Rated Genesis GV70, Acura RDX and Porsche Macan. The outgoing Mercedes-Benz GLC was also highly regarded, and we have high expectations for the new iteration due out this year.

What's it like to live with?

The BMW X3 is the best-selling vehicle in the German manufacturer's fleet. We were curious what it's like to own, so added one to our long-term test fleet. This is where we drive and evaluate a vehicle for a year to find out what it's like in the real world. Check out our experiences with our BMW X3 xDrive30i. Note that while we tested a 2021 model, our impressions apply to the 2023 X3 as well.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Good
7.8
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
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's side window at freeway speeds. Engine noise is pronounced under moderate to hard acceleration, but it's not unpleasant.
 Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Save as much as $6,011 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $6,011 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the M40i trim.

2023 BMW X3 pricing in Billings, MT

Edmunds suggests you pay

• sDrive30i
  Suggested price: $41,859
  What should I pay for sDrive30i trim
• xDrive30i
  Most Popular
  Suggested price: $44,390
  What should I pay for xDrive30i trim


• M40i
  Suggested price: $54,934
  What should I pay for M40i trim

 

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 for a small luxury SUV.

 

Fuel Economy

8.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The EPA rates the X3 xDrive30i at 24 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 period of free scheduled maintenance.

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 X3's trim levels are differentiated by powertrain, so start with the one that makes most sense to you. Live in an area that gets snowy in the winter? Then the all-wheel-drive-equipped xDrive30i is for you. Want something a little spicier? The M40i is right up your alley. If these situations don't apply to you, the base sDrive30i and its 248-horsepower engine should suit your needs and will save you cash in the process. We think the Premium package is worth adding; it's attractively priced and adds a lot of desirable features.