2025 BMW X3 Review: SURPRISED in a GOOD WAY

BMW has been steadily revamping its SUV lineup to great success, releasing one model after another that are leaps and bounds better than the ones they replace.

The overhauled 2025 BMW X3 continues that trend, raising the bar in a very competitive segment. As one of the brand’s most popular models, the X3 has been improved in the ways I expected and some that even managed to surprise me.

00:00 Intro
00:58 Design
02:09 Powertrain
04:25 Driving impressions
05:25 Interior
06:48 Usability
08:32 Practicality
10:40 Pricing
11:42 Conclusion

Thanks so much for watching, let us know your thoughts in the comments down below! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to see more car reviews and expert auto advice!

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Our automotive experts Jodi and Dan (also best friends) have a combined 25 years of expertise in the automotive journalism industry and get together to host our podcast, Own the Road with AutoTrader. Jodi Lai is an award-winning automotive journalist with a Bachelor of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University (Ryerson), is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and a jury member for the North American Car/Truck/Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY). Jodi is the Editor-in-Chief of AutoTrader and the recipient of the prestigious 2022 AJAC Journalist of the Year Award. Dan Ilika is AutoTrader’s Road Test Editor and has been working in the automotive industry for the better part of the last decade. Dan graduated from Toronto’s Humber College with an advanced diploma in journalism, and his work spans from newspaper to television and the web, reviewing cars in writing and in front of the camera. They’ve got the scoop on everything car-related for the everyday driver or the auto enthusiast, helping to make car stuff simple for Canadians.

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[frankwu]

Jodi, really good to hear your perspective on interior, which has been a sore point for others: guess that design or look thing can be very subjective!

Some Canadian specifics are of great help too. Now I am more in X3, compared to X5 that we just test-drove and found its handling less impressive than my 2017 X3.

[rightlanehog]

Surprised, in a good way is how I feel every time Auto Trader Canada does a review. 😉

[kamran]

Praise of the interior is wide of the mark. “BMW did a great job with this interior… everything is correct” - referring to interior where cheap plastic is overabundant, surface materials are far from high quality let alone luxury, and overall a downgrade vs. peers and the previous generation. Come on Jodi, we thought we could trust you! 5:26

[mervdavis]

Bmw x3 is another winner again much bigger than before

[gregwayne]

Plastic and LED lighting is now the benchmark for for luxury now? This new model (m 50) bumps up and over $70k now.

[spoiler]

I'm new to BMW and was just in the market for the X3, either the 24 or 25. I was also surprised by the new X3...in a bad way.

The exterior styling is bland and less aggressive than the 24. The interior is big disappointment in terms of increased plastics and lower quality as a result of cost cutting. Having not seen either interior, the 24 interior is just a classier, higher quality place to be.
The list of lost features is long and I won't list them here. Any advances in tech and engineering simply aren't outweighed by what's been taken away. It was an easy decision to get the 24 M40i. Hopefully, something substantial will be done for the LCI.

[АлександърСтефанов-зр]

How can someone recommended such a misunderstanding ...when something is cheep&bad looking there's no matter of performance&reliability!

[Shootingstar]

Would you pick GLC 300 4matic or the new X3 30? Why? Thanks for sharing your input.

[fransvisser]

That hole in front of the gear selector with the M badgd is horrible

[jzy]

"Raises the bar". Its cheap looking inside and fugly. How did that raise the bar?

[kevinn]

Ok Jodi, would you buy a X1 M35 or a X3 30 M Sport.

[hhanjali]

Please don’t celebrate plastic. Sounds ridiculous

[jeffsena]

It seems the new X3 is aimed at your demographic, younger crowd.Long time BMW owners don’t like the style or interior design. I’ve owned five BMWs two 3 series sedans an X3 and two X5s . Big screen I Drive 8.5 and 9 take some getting used to, but at least the scroll wheel is still there. Seems the design is edging toward EV future!

[paulhenry]

Great card if you want affordability. The 30 with great fuel mileage is the way to go. Trust me its not slow. Also, Idrive 9 is android based

[steverogers]

Wait.. you think they nailed it with this thing? Ok bye

[karthikJ-]

Really such a great job . This x3 is a joke demanding luxury car price for a cheap plastic Kia interior . And you are recommending it while every reputable YouTube journalists trashed it for how cheap the quality and materials is

[TelosBudo]

Never buy a BMW or any other European brand