BMW X3 Variants Explained: Which One To Pick?

The X3 is offered in a single variant with two engine options

If you’re in the market for a premium SUV that is also fun to drive, there’s a high possibility you would have zeroed in on the BMW. So, if you have picked the BMW X3, we can help you decide which engine you should go for.

Before diving into the details, let’s take a look at the prices:

all prices, ex-showroom India

Here’s a look at the specifications:

The X3 is available in a single Luxury Line variant.

Exterior

• Adaptive LED headlamps
• LED fog lamps
• Auto headlamps
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Electrically foldable ORVMs with anti-dazzle and parking function for passenger-side ORVM
• Panoramic sunroof
• Powered tailgate
• 19-inch alloys with 245/50R19 tyres

Trim

• Fine-wood trim poplar grain grey with Pearl Chrome highlights

Upholstery

• Leather ‘Vernasca’ Canberra Beige with black stitching
• Leather ‘Vernasca’ Mocha with black stitching

Interior

• Ambient lighting with six pre-defined light designs
• Multifunctional leather-wrapped steering
• Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror
• 40:20:40 split rear seats with electric release (on xDrive20d)

• 40:20:40 split rear seats (on xDrive30i)
• Sunblinds for rear occupants

• Powered front seats with driver memory function
• Three-zone climate control
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Wireless mobile charging
• Cruise control with braking function

Infotainment

• 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• 600W 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
• Apple CarPlay support

Safety

• Six airbags
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Parking camera
• Reverse parking assist
• ABS with EBD
• Traction control
• Electronic stability program
• Hill launch assist
• Hill descent control
• Electronic parking brake with auto-hold
• Tyre pressure indicator
• ISOFIX child seat anchors
• Run-flat tyres
• Spare wheel
• Side impact protection
• Crash sensor and dynamic braking lights

Drive and Efficiency

• Auto start/stop function
• Active kidney grille
• xDrive 4WD system

• Driving modes: ECOPRO, Comfort and Sport (on xDrive20d)
• Driving modes: ECOPRO, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ (on xDrive30i)
• Automatic rear differential locks

Verdict: Since the X3 is available in a single feature trim only with minor differences depending on the powertrain chosen, both versions are almost identically equipped. It gets all the premium features one would expect from an SUV of this class including a 4WD system, six airbags, panoramic sunroof, three-zone AC, digital instrument cluster, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system. So, the choice between the two boils down to the engine.

If you’re someone who likes to drive and holds performance in high regard, we suggest you go for the xDrive30i as it is almost 2 seconds quicker to 100kmph than the xDrive20d. That said, the diesel has its own advantage in terms of fuel efficiency. So, someone with heavy usage should opt for the xDrive20d as the premium of Rs 40,000 is negligible.

With the X3, BMW should also offer an M Sport variant with a 6-cylinder engine since some people might be looking for a more powerful engine when they choose the X3 over the 3 Series sedan. Currently, both cars are offered with the same set of engines.

Read More on : BMW X3 Automatic