All-New 2025 BMW X3 review // Great handling but that design!

This is a Motormouth couple car review of the all-new 2025 BMW X3 compact luxury SUV. The BMW X3 gets a bolder design and grows in size for 2025! What do you think of the new styling, it’s quite the change?
This is the new fourth generation X3. It’s bigger, it has a new exterior design, a new modern interior, updated technology with a curved display, iDrive operating system 9, 4-cylinder and in-line 6 engines get a 48-volt mild hybrid system with improved efficiency and new driver assist technology including, adaptive cruise control with traffic light recognition and parking assist. There’s a new available Parking Assistant Professional package that allows the vehicle to park itself in a predesignated parking area that’s been saved in the vehicle’s computers. The i has been dropped from the name in the gas models and will be used only for EV models.
There are two 2025 BMW X3 powertrain options, a 2L turbocharged 4-cylinder with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The more powerful M50 has 393 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque. Both models are paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD.
The 2025 BMW X3 starts at $62,849 CAD, M50 xDrive $78,849 CAD. Pricing includes, freight, PDI and fees. In the US, 30 xDrive $49,500 CAD and M50 xDrive $64,100 CAD.
2025 BMW X3 fuel economy, the X3 30 gets 8.7L/100 km, 27 MPG city and 7.1L/100 km, 33 MPG highway.
The 2025 BMW X3 is 1.3” longer, just over an inch wider and there is an inch drop in vehicle height. The large kidney grille is polarizing and quite the change from the previous model. There is also optional contour lighting for the grille which forms a continuous line around it, the wheel arches are flared and the exhaust tailpipes are more integrated and are now out of sight.
Standard features include, a 14.9” touchscreen, BMW Operating system 9, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, HiFi sound system, wireless charger, power and heated front sports seats, driver seat memory, leatherette upholstery, a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, comfort access and a power liftgate.

[hanskennedy]

As always I love your reviews, you are honest, entertaining and incredibly informative. The exterior of the X3 is not great, I could learn to live with it, but I simply cannot get past the interior.

[banderson]

I like the honest review. Savage on the interior, especially calling out cheapness, tesla, chinese.

[steelgray]

You two do the best, most well-rounded reviews of anybody on the internet. Haven't driven it yet, but I fully believe your impressions of how well it drives. I share your concerns about ride quality, similar to the last generation X3 M40i that I have driven - a little too jiggly for a mostly family oriented SUV. Also, I agree on the exterior (probably will get used to it, but don't like it) and the interior (not sure if I can ever give it a pass). Again, thank you for actually having a balanced, mature (ahem) channel that I can relate to, and rely on. 👍

[spoiler]

I simply couldn't choose this over the 24. Better looking, higher quality. Features lost are unacceptable for a vehicle in this class.

[pat]

I just got mine (the 4 cylinder version). It's by far the quietest, smoothest, most comfortable car I've owned and coming from an Audi A4, that's saying a lot. The power is more than enough also. Many reviews ping the interior quality, but I find that the interior feels very luxurious. The seats are incredibly soft and supportive. They fit me perfectly.

[rotorwind]

I had a 23 X3. Definitely prefer the previous generation!!

[rembo]

I saw the new X3 on the lot at my dealership. I didn’t like the exterior and the interior at all! I own a 2024 X3 and I feel it is much better looking in every way. Perhaps they’ve improved the driving dynamics. I’m happy with the ‘24 X3. This new model is a big step back in my opinion😂.

[limitedreach]

The cost cutting on that interior is very apparent!

[kairikkola]

I grew up as Beemer guy. My late dad had only Beemer's since 1976. Last one was E39, drove that 18 years. Well, I still got E36 coupe and Z3. But daily driver's are Hyundai Ionic EV and Mazda CX-5. Make good for my eyes and quality is superb.

[dirkcurritzki]

Here comes the ultimate leasing machine. Looks good to drive but never want to own it😂

[batmore]

I love everything about BMWs except their current grill designs on so many of their models. I would have bought an X7 but went to a competitor because of that crazy grill. Thanks for another great review!

[phillipseck-wxoq]

My wife and I have had our 2025 M50 in Tanzanite blue for 5 weeks, and we LOVE it! We have the same interior color as the one in your video.

[bextar]

Bland overall styling and the black wheels add to that !

[mikekennedy]

I looked at the X3 this summer. I ended up buying a 2024 Audi Q5 Prestige with the 45 engine for about 55k with a very low interest rate. The new X3's styling is taking a step back and the non opening roof is ridiculous (probably did this to end warranty repairs). The grill is also a step back as well. I think Audi with the looks of the 2025 Q5 did a better job on the upgrade design than BMW. Great review as always!

[allanhirsch]

Always love your reviews. Gave up my 2020 x3 for a 2025 Hyundai Tuscon Limited hybrid. Beautiful redesigned interior. Do not fall over but I love it very much. Lots of tech actually more than the x3, regular gas and 35 to 39 MPG

[DazModeWatercooling]

totally true about gimmicky heavy and not caring about people appreciating classic design

[BarryRempel-mk]

Just a quick note for those hearing concerns re ride quality on the M50. I acquired the M50 with adaptive suspension and feel strongly the concerns expressed are a non-issue. We live in Winnipeg and can tell you that between pot holes and railroad crossings the M50 adaptive suspension set on comfort is better than my previous edition X3 xdrive 30i. That car now feels/looks quite outdated to me. When I want 'the beast' that it can be...change to sport mode. Easy.

[williamwenzel]

I purchased a X3 M50 in Artic Race Blue with the beige interior. A couple of comments, the 3.0 inline six and handling sells the car. Perfect meaty steering wheel and very comfortable seating. A blast to drive. I never disliked the exterior and really like the back end. Looks more like a hatchback than a SUV and love the quad exhaust. The exterior grows on you and for the most part the interior does too. At first I hated the lack of traditional vents and the passenger dash, but I don't feel that way now. The idrive 9.0 does take time to learn and I am reasonably tech oriented. I also do like the interior ambient lighting and whole cup holder/phone charger area. It is quite a nice space to put things in. What does let me down is all the plastic, especially on the door grab handles. Why can there not be some premium trim on the dash? The biggest let down for me is the panaramic glass roof does not open at all! Why oh why, BMW? Makes zero sense to me. Looks are in the eyes of the beholder, but the car is very pratical and a blast to drive.

[stefaneriksson]

I bought a new X3 in 2023 because I didn’t want to wait another couple of years for the new one. I’m SO glad I didn’t wait …

[DoraSuretno]

I take it back when I say the new x1 interior feels decent. It actually now looks and feels superb! The new x3 interior doesn’t look like a bmw design anymore and you’re right Andrea it is high tech and gimmicky but it doesn’t have that wow factor anymore when you step in. I have a 2024 lci m40i and will be looking at a used x3m once I decided to upgrade to a s58. The m3 with big grille is a no go for me. Not to mention the awful whole new 3 series design that they just reveal. They just change things so much that it feels totally off.