BMW X3 30 first drive review: Does it enthuse?

What’s the point of a BMW that doesn’t enthuse you? Since when did BMWs become less exciting than Mercedes-Benz’s? These were the questions I was left pondering upon last year after we tested the G45 X3. The car grew, but the power output dropped. The GLC 300 gets a 254bhp engine, while the X3 got only 190bhp. The GLC also felt tighter and handled better. BMW heard all this droning and decided to put the noise to rest. Pictured here is the 254bhp BMW X3 30 xDrive. The BMW press communications team thought it best to let us have a go at it off-road to help us understand this car. While interesting for us, an average buyer of an X3 is unlikely to even dip their wheel on the shoulder of the road, let alone dare to take it on a trail. A media car on the other hand…

Off road trail in a BMW X3 30

Being on a trail usually means your top speed is capped at a modest 20kmph. On the surface, this isn't the ideal environment to test a more powerful engine, but within the first sixty seconds of driving, it was obvious that this specification had restored the ‘spring’ in the X3’s step that was so desperately missing in the 20 spec.

The star of the show for this trail is the xDrive system. BMW’s all-wheel-drive system has the ability to transfer all available power to just two wheels (either axle), depending entirely on where it senses traction. To put this to the test, we tackled several articulation courses – those unnerving sections where you can feel the chassis twist and one or more wheels lift completely off the ground.

When a wheel is airborne, it is, by the laws of physics, useless for propulsion. In the X3, the differentials sense the loss of resistance almost instantly, redirecting the torque to the wheels firmly planted on the earth. While many AWD systems claim to do this, the sheer speed of the xDrive’s cognition is what impresses. There is no hesitation, no mechanical clunking – just seamless, forward momentum.

The trail was a minefield of jagged rocks. Regardless of how much confidence you have in a car, no one wants a sidewall slashed by a stray shard of granite. This is where the X3’s modern tech suite earns its keep. The car features a high bonnet line which, while imposing, does obstruct your view of immediate obstacles. Thankfully, the front camera can be activated at low speeds, providing a high-definition view of exactly what lies ahead. With guidelines showing the precise path of your tyres, you can manoeuvre around obstacles with the precision of a seasoned off-roader, all while remaining ensconced in leatherette-trimmed luxury. The engine now delivers 90Nm more torque than in the X3 20, which made climbing up the rocky trail quite a breeze too. Just maintain the revs at about 3000-3500, and there is enough pull to keep the car moving forward.

BMW X3 30 performance and handling

Once the trail ended and the path widened, it was finally time to stretch the X3’s legs. While the 2-litre turbo-petrol engine is technically the same unit found in the 20 variant, it undergoes specific changes to handle the higher tune for the 30. To handle the increased boost pressure and higher rev ceiling, BMW has fitted different pistons and a significantly more robust cooling system.

The results are 68 more bhp and 400Nm of torque. BMW claims a 0-100 kmph sprint that is 1.5 seconds faster than the base model. Our own Vbox acceleration tests clocked it at 6.8 seconds. While that is half a second shy of BMW's official claim – still properly quick. To enhance the theatre, the ‘My Modes’ include a Sport setting that pumps a more pronounced, guttural engine roar into the cabin. It’s a bit of acoustic trickery, perhaps, but it successfully heightens the sensory experience.

On the tarmac, the X3 30 reminds you why the brand was once the king of the Sports Activity Vehicle (a term BMW prefers over SUV). While the suspension tuning remains largely unchanged from the 20 spec, the extra power allows you to attack bends with a level of aggression that was previously missing. It feels eager. The added power is bolstered by a staggered tyre setup (255/45 at the front and a massive 285/40 at the rear). This makes a remarkable difference in the way the car handles. The amount of grip on offer now urges you to attack a corner with much more confidence. This poise is also down to the Corner Braking Control (CBC). As you power through a corner, the system monitors mechanical traction; if it detects the car beginning to push wide, it subtly applies the brakes to the inside wheels. It tucks the nose in, keeping your line tight without ever letting you feel a loss of control. You feel like a better driver than you perhaps are, which is exactly what a BMW should do.

BMW X3 30 aesthetic changes and upgrade trade-offs

Aesthetically, the 30 variant, in this M Sport Pro trim, looks the part. The kidney grille is blacked out, the headlamps and tail lamps have been given a darkened treatment, and the brake callipers pop in red. Inside, the M-stripe colours find their way onto the seatbelts, and the dash has seen a material change from fabric to leatherette. As someone who suffers from dust allergies, I greeted this change with a sigh of relief. However, looking back, the fabric had a certain unique, tactile charm that felt modern and sustainable. Yet, the consensus on social media seems to favour the ‘premium’ feel of leatherette, and BMW has followed the market's lead.

However, not every upgrade is a step forward. The M Sport Pro moves from 19-inch to 20-inch wheels – which look splendid. But there is also a price to pay. The reduction in tyre sidewall has firmed up the ride considerably. The X3 still handles undulations well, but sharp potholes now result in a hefty thud that you can feel more inside the cabin. Furthermore, the road noise insulation has taken a hit. On coarse tarmac, the roar from those wide tyres becomes a constant companion, sometimes loud enough to distract from the otherwise serene cabin. It is the classic trade-off: better grip and balance versus everyday refinement.

BMW X3 30 verdict

So, does the X3 30 xDrive enthuse? Yes. It may not feel quite as "tight" as the Mercedes GLC in cornering scenarios, but it feels every bit as lively and arguably more characterful. The extra power makes every climb and every overtake feel effortless. It is a car that puts BMW back into the conversation for those who actually enjoy the act of driving.

With an expected price tag around the mid-₹70 lakh (ex-showroom) mark, it sits right in the crosshairs of the GLC 300, while the Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 remain competent, if slightly older, alternatives. Last year, I struggled to justify the X3 over its rivals. This year, with the 30 xDrive, I am hard-pressed to find a reason why you shouldn’t buy one.