Snug, Fast, and Completely Mainstream

About 15 years in the past, BMW began catching flak from loyal fans in regards to the model slapping its “M” badges on automobiles that weren’t correct M automobiles. “‘M’ stands for ‘advertising’ now, not motorsport,” they’d cry. Whereas that all the time appeared whiny, I really feel prefer it’s my flip to whine. However after testing the brand new 2025 BMW X3 M50, I don’t assume M is for advertising; I feel it stands for mainstream.

Every part in regards to the X3 M50 appears sanitized, stripped of character and appeal, all in an effort to draw as many patrons as completely doable. Its generic SUV seems to be, an inside that appears prefer it got here from an adolescent’s temper board, and probably the most uninteresting driving expertise from something sporting a Roundel all mix to make the X3 M50 probably the most vanilla BMW I’ve ever skilled. BMW even dropped the “i” on the finish of M50. I do know that isn’t information for BMW followers, however this was the primary such Bimmer I’ve examined, and it appears like shedding a cool little element that harkened again to BMW’s historical past. I do know why BMW dropped it, because it’s largely meaningless now and prospects are getting it confused with electrical “i” fashions, nevertheless it appears like shedding a chunk of BMW’s soul. Becoming for this automotive, then.

An Inoffensive however In the end Boring Design

I admittedly hated the brand new X3 when BMW first unveiled it. However after spending per week with it, it grew on me. I nonetheless don’t like it; it’s painfully boring, has far too many slab-like panels, its headlights seem like they had been designed on a serviette at lunch, and it’s fully devoid of character. Nonetheless, not less than in M50 guise and sporting Vegas Pink Metallic paint, it started to look similar to a generic fast SUV to me, reasonably than one thing offensive. That stated, my neighbor has a 2024 BMW X3 M40i and it proves how far this new X3 has fallen.

Usually, once I check a mid-fast premium crossover, I hear cynical criticism from fanatic mates however reward from everybody else. Individuals love their go-kinda-fast SUVs. However few individuals even cared about this new X3. I heard a number of detrimental feedback, however in any other case the silence was deafening.

That’s to not say there aren’t some redeeming qualities. For instance, the kidney grilles are not less than sort of regular (a triumph for any trendy BMW), I just like the iX-inspired hood design, and its total profile is good-looking sufficient, even when its entrance finish is simply too tall. I simply really feel prefer it’s going to be misplaced within the sea of different premium crossovers and flat-out get left behind by nice trying ones from, Acura, Volvo, and even upcoming newbies just like the Rivian R2. I additionally had an opportunity to check a few of them lately and it reveals how far this section has grown in high quality.

Who Is This Inside For?

I’ve owned and pushed BMWs from a number of completely different a long time. All of them have had one factor in widespread, in the case of their interiors: maturity. BMW’s have all the time had critical interiors, maybe overly so typically, designed with effectively thought out ergonomics, largely good construct high quality (my E36 was made out of tissue paper), and emphasis on visibility and usefulness. This new X3, although, seems to be prefer it was designed for youngsters, by youngsters. The large middle console V-shaped gentle bar seems to be foolish and simply takes up house, the A-pillars are thick and in the way in which, and BMW’s incessant use of hidden air vents with annoying little directional management toggles is irritating.

Nonetheless, probably the most egregious inside error is the complete door pull space. The X3’s inside door pulls are little triangular jobs which are constructed right into a console that additionally homes the reminiscence seat buttons, a touch-based air vent slider, an uncovered air vent (why are these uncovered however the sprint vents aren’t?), and one other cumbersome V-shaped gentle bar that takes up an excessive amount of house. It’s simply far too cluttered, cumbersome, ugly, and annoying to make use of.

I’ll say I just like the cubby simply forward of the middle console, although. It has a vertical wi-fi telephone charger—which fees shockingly rapidly—and a giant cubby for stuff like my pockets, keys, and earbuds. And the rubberized, ribbed nature of the panel stored my telephone from getting too sizzling whereas charging, which is all the time an issue, whereas additionally holding my issues in place. It seems to be cool and it really works effectively.

When it comes to construct high quality, BMW continues to make top-notch interiors, because it felt solidly constructed. Every part feels sturdy contained in the X3, prefer it’ll final a few years with out nary a squeak or rattle. Shut the doorways and the shut with a high-quality whoomph. And I actually like how simply the rear cargo cowl snaps in and misplaced. It’s as well-made as you’d anticipate from a BMW cabin nevertheless it seems to be prefer it was designed by a 16-year-old, each it phrases of pointless flashiness and wonky ergonomics. I’m unsure if BMW’s goal demographic has modified however I’m unsure who it expects to purchase this automotive.

Larger Outdoors however Larger Inside?

If you see the brand new BMW X3 M50 from the surface, you anticipate a ton of elevated inside house, versus its predecessor. Nonetheless, that’s solely true within the trunk, the place its 31.5 cubic-feet of cargo house bests the outdated X3’s 28.7 cubic-feet. The previous-gen X3 really has nearly an inch of additional entrance headroom, whereas entrance leg and shoulder room are about the identical. The outdated automotive’s practically inch of additional headroom extends to rear passengers, too. Whereas rear leg room is about the identical on each automobiles, the brand new one does have about an inch of elevated rear shoulder room.

To treatment the discount of headspace, BMW gave the brand new X3 an non-compulsory full glass roof. That brings a great deal of gentle into the cabin, making it really feel airier, nevertheless it doesn’t transfer so you possibly can’t open the sunroof.

Whereas the brand new inside isn’t worse than the outdated one, it actually isn’t the massive improve that its exterior mass appears to counsel.

Drives for Mass-Market Enchantment

I couldn’t assist however assume, after per week of driving the BMW X3 M50 in each form of reasonable situation, that it will make a terrific Mercedes. The steering is gentle and largely obscure however has respectable on-center really feel, the trip is gorgeous, and it’s rock-solid secure at excessive pace. However flip the wheel with any form of enthusiasm and it fails to reward. I distinctly bear in mind testing the previous-generation X3 M40i for the primary time and I knew it was a terrific automotive inside 30 ft. I may simply inform that its steering and trip had been tuned by individuals who care about driving. However this one? It feels prefer it was designed for mass-market enchantment.

Don’t assume meaning it’s sloppy. It isn’t. It’s fairly a succesful machine, even by way of a few of southern New Jersey’s twistier bits of highway. As soon as its weight subtly transfers, it grips and goes. Nevertheless it simply by no means offers you the sense that it’s significantly considering doing so. Few trendy BMWs discuss to you thru the steering anymore, that largely died after the E90. However most trendy Bimmers nonetheless discuss to you thru the chassis; you possibly can really feel what they’re doing by way of your ass within the seat. Not this one, although. You possibly can inform it’s succesful and that it’s doing its job, however solely by the outcomes. It tells you nothing by way of any of the controls.

I additionally disliked the brake pedal. Not the brakes themselves. They work fantastically, really, with close to good pedal really feel and tuning. Nonetheless, the brake pedal itself is positioned approach to excessive, so I needed to flex my proper foot upward to succeed in it and it was simply uncomfortable and annoying.

The trip is fantastic, although. It’s supple and rounds out bumps fantastically, whereas all the time sustaining its composure. Even in its sport mode, its trip by no means will get much less cozy. It’s one of the vital buttoned down, strong feeling crossovers of its measurement that I’ve ever pushed.

What Did They Do to My Boy?

BMW’s B58 engine is considered one of my favourite engines of all time. My effusive reward for the three.0-liter turbocharged straight-six over time has possible been nauseating for anybody studying my phrases. I’ve liked it in each single software, BMW or in any other case. And, as an engine, it really works brilliantly within the X3 M50. It’s as clean as ever and gives loads of efficiency. I used to be admittedly a contact disenchanted on the lack of punch it appeared to have, however that’s possible because of the SUV’s 4,535-pound curb weight and BMW’s choice to isolate occupants from as a lot feeling as doable.

Nonetheless, BMW completely neutered the B58’s noise. I’m unsure whether or not there’s some emissions cause, or if BMW simply forgot to tune the exhaust, however the X3 M50’s exhaust observe is fairly unhealthy. It’s tinny and coarse on startup and simply sounds… generic when revving from the surface. On the within, the cabin is so quiet you barely hear the I6’s actual voice. As an alternative, you hear the artificial soundtrack pumped in by BMW’s sound engineers and it sounds lower than stellar, to be type.

In each different software, the B58 sounds wonderful. The Toyota Supra and BMW Z4 M40i are its greatest examples, the place it seems like an unique automotive engine. However within the X3 M50, it’s robbed of its character, which is wildly disappointing.

With 393 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque, the X3 M50 is likely one of the strongest B58-powered automobiles ever, so it’s no shock BMW claims it may possibly hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. That’s fast for a household SUV nevertheless it by no means actually feels it from behind the wheel. It does have loads of passing energy when you’re at freeway speeds, although, it simply appears to battle with getting off the road with gusto. Or maybe simply the dearth of sensation, audible or in any other case.

Most Prospects Will Love It, Lovers Gained’t

Every part in regards to the new 2025 BMW X3 M50 feels prefer it was designed for mass market enchantment. That shouldn’t come as an excessive amount of of a shock, given BMW’s fairly regular motion in that path for years. Nonetheless, this new X3 appears like the head of BMW’s transition.

This new X3 is an effective automotive; it’s snug, quiet, spacious sufficient, and full of nice tech. Positive, it may not be very attention-grabbing to have a look at, and its inside is a bit infantile, nevertheless it makes for a wonderful on a regular basis automotive. Nonetheless, I additionally really feel prefer it’s the least BMW-like Bimmer I’ve ever examined. It strays furthest from the “Final Driving Machine” ethos than the rest with a Roundel that I’ve ever been behind the wheel of. If this had a Mercedes emblem on it as an alternative, I wouldn’t bat an eye fixed.

Does that imply it isn’t value shopping for, particularly with an MSRP of $65,900? No, and I feel it’s going to promote very effectively over its lifecycle. I feel it’s a great automotive, simply not a great BMW.