The 2022 BMW X3 M40i Compact Luxury Crossover SAV
You Are What You Drive — A Bottom Line Review
The Bottom Line: What is a X3? The X3 is a compact luxury crossover SAV manufactured by German automaker BMW since 2003, and is based on the BMW 3 Series platform. Now in its third generation, BMW markets the X3 crossover as a SAV Sports Activity Vehicle, the company’s proprietary description for its X-line of vehicles.
What is BMW X3 SAV? The SAV is an exclusive term used only for the BMW X models. The SAV differs from the standard SUV. The Sports Activity Vehicle was designed to focus on the overall power, space, and towing capabilities the vehicle has to offer. Think of the SAV as an SUV that can go offroad, but with sports car power.
The 2021 BMW X3 is a great luxury compact crossover SAV. The X3 has an upscale interior, roomy seating for five passengers, and a large cargo area. It’s comfortable and relaxing to drive every day, yet still agile and exciting for carving up twisting back roads.
It’s an all wheel drive, front engine, compact SAV with 5 doors and 5 seats. With 355 hp, the turbocharged 3 Liter 24 valve inline 6 cylinder gasoline engine accelerates this X3 M40i SUV to a maximum speed of 155 mph, and it goes from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.4 seconds.
What does M40i mean? There is a M in the name, but it is not a full fledged M sports car, meaning it is a M performance car, which refers back to it being the most powerful and sporty version of its kind in the X3 line up.
Even the hard edged BMW X3 M40i is supple and comfortable to drive around on a regular basis. Throw in a good looking excellent leather interior, and the X3 M40i is an outstanding luxury family car. Even the steering is precise, with the best steering BMW has to offer.
This week BMW sent me a 2022 BMW X3 M40i SAV to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this model starts at $57,800. The options on the press car are:
the metallic paint for $550, the oyster leather interior for $1,450, the premium package for $1,600, the front and rear heated seats for $350, the M sport differential for $1,300, the 20” M double spoke performance alloy wheels for $600, minus $355 in package discounts.
The total MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including the $995 destination charge, came to: $64,290. After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the total out the door and in your garage purchase price is: $72,326. The price is just below the luxury car threshold of $75,000, so you’re getting a lot of bang for your bucks with a BMW X3 SAV.
The best feature of the BMW X3 M40i is the engine. It generates 382 hp at 5,800 rpm and also produces 369 lb-ft of torque at 1,520 rpm. This vehicle has AWD all wheel drive with a mild hybrid drive system, and it sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds on the way to a top speed of 155 mph, making it one of the quickest SUVs you can buy, at any price.
What is a BMW X3 hybrid? To make this model a mild hybrid a 48 volt electric motor is attached to the 8 speed sport transmission. This allows the vehicle to run on battery power for up to 17 miles in all electric range, so the BMW X3 can run local errands emissions free with this modern hybrid technology.
In addition to the plug-in hybrid BMW X3 xDrive30e, all BMW 4 and 6 cylinder gas engines now come standard with the 48 volt mild hybrid system. Energy is recuperated with regenerative braking, and can be used to support the 12 volt electric system for some of the car’s key functions.
The 2022 BMW X3 M40i has enhanced engine power, fine tuned handling, and an appearance designed by BMW M. The new BMW X3 M40i SAV sports activity vehicle is a dominating force, no matter where the road leads, and is powered by a special M 3.0 liter TwinPower Turbo inline 6 cylinder engine, with xDrive, intelligent all wheel drive.
So when you’re ready to buy a new compact SAV the BMW X3 should be on your ride and drive list, as it’s the one of the best luxury SAV’s for sale today. Call, click or visit your local BMW dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on a new 2022 X3. And remember, that the base window sticker price for a new BMW X3 starts at only $43,700. BMW: The Ultimate Driving Machine.
A word to the wise is sufficient: Be Smart, Stay Safe, and Just Breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive ©” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense © editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. “Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net