Driving impressions: Why the BMW X3 20d xDrive M Sport stands out in the SUV market

Recently I was on the N1 driving to Johannesburg when I passed three trucks carrying proudly made in South Africa vehicles.

There’s a tinge of pride knowing that a load of Nissan Navaras, Ford Rangers and BMW X3s are on their way to foreign lands, the fact that they’re on trucks and not on rail for reasons we all know notwithstanding.

I happened to be testing the BMW X3 20d xDrive M Sport at the time and knew that the new owners would be well pleased.

The X3 is a crucial mid-sized SUV for the Munich-based company and remains one of its top sellers and is also the most popular model in South Africa.

With its overall refinement it’s not difficult to understand why.

Exterior

Now in its fourth iteration and first launched in 2003, it has aged well, and as the generations have progressed, it has grown considerably in size, so much so that a friend that had the second generation years ago hardly recognised it.

It’s taken a while, but the large distinctive kidney grill seems to be less polarising than when it first saw the light and it actually suits this year’s Car of the Year.

Because it’s such an important model for the brand they have tinkered too much with the exterior.

It now sports more angular lines and what BMW calls a monolithic appearance and while personally I prefer the previous generation’s look, the new X3 is one of those cars that look better in the metal than in pictures.

The rear sports a flush-mounted window with a long roof spoiler and under the flared wheel arches it stands on attractive 19-inch alloys.

Engine

The BMW four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine stands out as one of the best motors ever made and in the X3 produces 145kW and 400Nm coupled to a 48V mild hybrid system adding an additional 8kW and 25Nm for short bursts.

It’s connected to an eight-speed Steptronic transmission driving all four wheels.

Interior

As you would expect, the interior is very much a glass screen and premium affair with an abundance of illuminated surfaces. 

While it looks pretty cool, especially at night in the different driving modes, I can’t help thinking that it comes across as one of those flashing disco-type speakers sold at the China Mall.

I mean, is a flashing red light bar across the dash when the hazard lights are in use really necessary?

Regular touchpoints and plastic bits are covered with recycled materials which look like they’ll stand the test of time, especially since the X3 is likely to be a family’s main mode of transport.

The door-mounted ventilation controls, however, felt flimsy and spoiled an otherwise well cocooned and solid cabin.

Fitted with BMW Operating System 9, the infotainment system though is still a bit clumsy and not particularly user friendly. It’s not the most intuitive system with most settings including the air conditioning requiring some form of double tap to get to the right menu.

It’s mitigated somewhat with the iDrive system with QuickSelect that allows functions to be activated directly without having to enter a submenu or using your voice to adjust certain functions.

Fortunately the volume can still be adjusted via a dial.

Space

It’s a spacious interior as I found out with a load space of 570-litres and 1,700-litres with the rear seats folded down.

A friend of mine and his family were going to Poland for a week for his eldest daughter's wedding so I offered to drive him to the airport.

All of the baggage for four people fitted in and with a mom and two teenagers in the back, my almost two-metre tall mate in the passenger seat and me driving, no-one felt cramped.

And even with that weight, the engine didn’t flinch - proving that the 2.0-litre diesel is all you need.

In Sport Mode, the interior gets a red hue and thanks to the hybrid system, initial acceleration is almost instantaneous, in fact, it’s the same for Comfort and Eco Modes.

If you’re looking for a short power boost, pull back the left shift paddle.

It’s a nice-to-have but to be honest, it’s a smallish diesel engine and acceleration and speed isn’t its primary task.

Driving

It’s an incredibly easy and comfortable car to drive with enough power when needed and calibration on the ZF gearbox is as close to perfect as you’re likely to get.

I think composed is the best way to describe it.

The xDrive system splits power 40-60 with a rear bias which adds to the driving comfort and also provides assurance that the X3 will be sure-footed in almost all conditions including gravel and wet roads.

The new X3 has dropped 1,660mm over the previous model, so while it does have all wheel drive, well-graded dirt roads are likely its only forte into the gravel.

In M sport guise, the suspension set-up is slightly stiffer allowing for better handling and combined with a direct and easy steering set-up, it handles the twisties with aplomb but on a short stretch of badly corrugated gravel road it bordered on uncomfortable.

The head-up display, though, is one of the best and clearest ones I’ve come across.

Safety

Apart from a plethora of safety features the BMW X3 is fitted with front collision warning, Lane Departure Warning and Speed Limit Info, along with the Driving Assistant including Lane Change Warning and manual Speed Limit Assist. The Parking Assistant incorporates features such as the Reversing Assistant and a Reversing Assist Camera.

Summary

Yes, there are other more powerful options in the X3 range including the plug-in hybrid X3 30e xDrive built exclusively in Rosslyn, Pretoria, but for R1,186,417 shop around and you’ll find the BMW X3 20d xDrive M Sport is all the SUV you’ll ever need.

It also means you’re supporting local, and that counts for a hell of a lot.