BMW has always been hailed as the “ultimate driving machine” and we don’t have any objections to that claim. Especially after we got to experience the 2025 BMW X3 during a rainy week in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
With a new exterior look, all-wheel drive now a standard feature and a revamped interior, this bold facelift made it both easy to drive and even easier to love. Connie Peters spent time with both the BMW X3 30 xDrive and the M50 xDrive and found the X3, priced from $49,500, to be smarter, sleeker and zoomier thanks to an updated, peppy engine.
It’s long been the compact luxury SUV to beat in a crowded field of luxury compact SUVs, and for 2025, even more so.
Video: Our walk around and test drive of the 2025 BMW X3
This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
Two New Engine Options and a Shiny New Price Tag
The standard BMW X3 comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged mild hybrid four-cylinder engine generating 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque; the change represents a small increase in power but a significant increase in torque, making the X3 30 xDrive feel a lot more powerful.
Under the hood of the BMW X3 M50 is also powered by a mild hybrid, but carries a larger 3.0-liter twin turbo inline-six cylinder engine which produces a respectable 393 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque.
The larger and more powerful BMW X3 M50 xDrive has a sticker price of $64,100, though the base model X3 xDrive (remember, both trims come with standard AWD) starts at $49,500. That’s only about a $1,600 increase over 2024, which was sort of a surprise considering all the new standard features.
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The 2025 BMW X3 M50’s Angular Design Sets it Apart
If you compare photos of the 2024 BMW X3 and the 2025 model, you’ll see the new design clearly. That’s thanks to the angular design language of modern BMW models, including the 3 Series and 5 Series, that brings this sporty yet luxury SUV into the modern era—which we think is a good thing.
The headlights, iconic kidney grille, front fascia, trim design, and even the shape of the mirrors are modern and sharp, making the 2024 design feel so last year.
The rear tail lights have also been redesigned to match the sleek, angular headlights, giving the BMW X3 a younger, more robust and athletic aesthetic. The M50 also features an exclusive quad exhaust and red brake calipers that set it apart from the 30 xDrive.
The 2024 model had a softer feel, less sporty; the 2025 BMW X3 feels as though its purpose is redefined and more performance focused while still looking fabulous.
Read: 2022 BMW X3 First Drive: New Design Details Make this Sporty SUV Even Better
The Interior Feels More Modern, Too
The exterior isn’t the only part of the BMW X3 that saw a major upgrade. The interior adopts a lot of features from other BMW interiors we love, like a large, intuitive, and responsive dual touchscreen system. The system features BMW’s latest operating system which as been upgraded with more function including “hey BMW” voice-activated assistance and can also be controlled via the iDrive dial on the console. The system also features 3D maps, music streaming and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s intuitive and we found it very easy to become acquainted with.
The wide screen also features a customizable driver display with important information like the speedometer and vehicle details such as tire pressure, oil pressure, and system warnings. The multimedia screen features phone settings, music, vehicle settings and navigation.
Many of the details displayed on the driver display or center screen can also be displayed on the optional head up display, including turn by turn directions.
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A Redesigned Center Console Offers More Places to Put Stuff
Just under the media screen is the larger console area with wireless charging and more space for your everyday things. BMW has done away with a traditional shifter and went with a toggle gear selector and a switch to select drive modes.
For those who want the true sportiness of the X3 M50, there are paddle shifters on the back of the steering wheel.
Making the cabin feel even larger and more open is the fixed panoramic sunroof spanning into the rear to open up the interior.
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A Bigger Footprint Means a Roomier Passenger Experience
While the X3 is among BMW’s smaller SUVs, its larger size for 2025 means a tad more interior space. Connie found the rear seat to be roomy and the seats comfortable, though note she’s 5’1″ so her driver’s seat setting leaves a lot of legroom for the passenger behind her. The passenger seat is set for a taller person, but still, legroom is comfortable.
Upholstered in leatherette as a standard feature or leather as an option, this small SUV makes big use of the rear seats. While the rear windows are on the small side making visibility is limited for littles, buyers can add the gigantic sunroof option to make the rear seat a better place to be.
There are two sets of child passenger car seat LATCHES and they’re easy to access under dedicated hard plastic flaps. Each passenger gets their own USB-C charge port, cup holders in the fold-down arm rest and buyers can opt for rear heated seats.
More Wow for the Money
One place that BMW really competes is in technology. The company long ago rolled out park assist, an automated self-parking feature that will pull the car into a parking spot while you sit in the driver’s seat. But it came with a package, not standard. For 2025, it’s standard, and can even be accessed outside the car using the BMW phone app; you can pull your car out of the garage while standing in your driveway.
Another improvement for 2025 is the rear cargo space has been increased too, with 3 more cubic feet of space, and all three rear seats can be folded individually so skis or snowboards can fit in the trunk.
Probably the best news for the redesign of the 2025 BMW X3 is the price increase; it only went up by about $1,600 over the 2024 model. If you’re comparing one year versus the other, this is a heck of a deal considering the addition of power, space and standard features; AWD alone will drive the price up by that much. Add the new look, options like a sunroof and head up display and the 2025 BMW X3 is even more ultimate, as it should be.
