Engine, horsepower

The X3 I tested featured a 2.0-liter, twin-power turbo fourcylinder engine. The powerplant was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, though the shifter did feature a manual mode and paddle shifters are also included. Output is 248 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque.

There is also a high-performance version of the X3 sold that boasts a six-cylinder engine and 355 horsepower, in case you need some more oomph in your ride.

xDrive, BMW’s all-wheel drive system, is standard, and you should be able to handle a bit of basic off-road driving in the X3.

BMW’s longtime tagline is Ultimate Driving Machine, and I understood why when behind the wheel of the X3. It drove so smoothly I didn’t even realize how fast I was going most of the time.

It was great in the corners, and excelled at getting up to speed (0 to 60 times are 6 seconds for the four-cylinder, 4.6 seconds for the six-cylinder).

Unlike some other luxury brands that focus more on comfort and sensible setups for families, often at the expense of power and sportiness, BMW knows their target audience — drivers who love to drive — and build their vehicles specifically with these people in mind.

An optional adaptive suspension can make the ride even more enjoyable, too.

Technology, safety

I was very happy with the overall tech setup on the X3, including the latest iDrive infotainment system, which was easy to control via a knob in the center console. Also, the backup camera (SurroundView with 3D View) was excellent and one of the best I’ve seen anywhere. Placement of the screen was ideal, and it can be segmented into multiple areas to share info on multiple topics.

While the X3’s navigation system worked well and got me where I needed to go, it wasn’t quite as user-friendly as some other alternatives I’ve seen in terms of setting your destination.

You get Sirius satellite radio, with a one-year subscription (and I would recommend keeping it after the year expires). Apple CarPlay is supported and an option on the X3, but Android Auto is not supported. A front collision warning system monitors for accident risks, them alerts the driver when action is needed. Also, a head-up display helps keep your eyes on the road.

MPG

Helped by superb aerodynamics, fuel mileage is one area where the 2018 BMW X3 shines. Official numbers are 22 city/29 highway/25 combined. I was able to achieve these numbers, and even if you push things a little hard and fall a bit short, you’ll still doing as well as the X3’s competitors.

Price

The 2018 BMWX3 xDrive30i that I tested was priced at $57,620 including all options, and had a starting price of just over $42K. That’s a bit pricier than the Audi Q5, and several thousand more than other luxury competitors like the Acura RDX or Infiniti QX50.

But then again, BMWs never were known for being the most affordable vehicle.

Bottom Line

When choosing among the many compact luxury SUV options available, you can do a lot worse than the BMWX3, especially if you love driving.