Snug, Fast, and Completely Mainstream

About 15 years in the past, BMW began catching flak from loyal fanatics 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 believe it stands for mainstream.

All the pieces in regards to the X3 M50 appears sanitized, stripped of character and allure, all in an effort to draw as many consumers as completely attainable. Its generic SUV appears, an inside that appears prefer it got here from a youngster’s temper board, and essentially the most uninteresting driving expertise from something sporting a Roundel all mix to make the X3 M50 essentially 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 looks like dropping 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 clients are getting it confused with electrical “i” fashions, however it looks like dropping a chunk of BMW’s soul. Becoming for this automobile, 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 find it irresistible; it’s painfully boring, has far too many slab-like panels, its headlights appear to be they had been designed on a serviette at lunch, and it’s utterly devoid of character. Nonetheless, no less than in M50 guise and sporting Vegas Pink Metallic paint, it started to look similar to a generic fast SUV to me, moderately than one thing offensive. That mentioned, my neighbor has a 2024 BMW X3 M40i and it proves how far this new X3 has fallen.

Usually, after I take a look at a mid-fast premium crossover, I hear cynical criticism from fanatic associates however reward from everybody else. People love their go-kinda-fast SUVs. However few individuals even cared about this new X3. I heard a number of unfavorable 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 no less than type 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 just 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 not too long ago and it exhibits how far this section has grown in high quality.

Who Is This Inside For?

I’ve owned and pushed BMWs from a number of totally different many years. All of them have had one factor in frequent, with regards to their interiors: maturity. BMW’s have all the time had critical interiors, maybe overly so typically, designed with properly thought out ergonomics, largely good construct high quality (my E36 was made out of tissue paper), and emphasis on visibility and value. This new X3, although, appears prefer it was designed for youngsters, by youngsters. The large heart console V-shaped mild bar appears 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, essentially the most egregious inside error is the complete door pull space. The X3’s inside door pulls are little triangular jobs which might be 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 mild bar that takes up an excessive amount of house. It’s simply far too cluttered, cumbersome, unpleasant, 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 cellphone charger—which expenses shockingly rapidly—and an enormous cubby for stuff like my pockets, keys, and earbuds. And the rubberized, ribbed nature of the panel saved my cellphone from getting too scorching whereas charging, which is all the time an issue, whereas additionally holding my issues in place. It appears cool and it really works properly.

When it comes to construct high quality, BMW continues to make top-notch interiors, because it felt solidly constructed. All the pieces 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 however it appears prefer it was designed by a 16-year-old, each it phrases of pointless flashiness and wonky ergonomics. I’m undecided if BMW’s goal demographic has modified however I’m undecided who it expects to purchase this automobile.

Larger Outdoors however Larger Inside?

While 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 truly has nearly an inch of additional entrance headroom, whereas entrance leg and shoulder room are about the identical. The outdated automobile’s almost 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 optionally available full glass roof. That brings a great deal of mild into the cabin, making it really feel airier, however it doesn’t transfer so you’ll be able to’t open the sunroof.

Whereas the brand new inside isn’t worse than the outdated one, it definitely isn’t the large improve that its exterior mass appears to recommend.

Drives for Mass-Market Enchantment

I couldn’t assist however assume, after per week of driving the BMW X3 M50 in each type of reasonable situation, that it could make an excellent Mercedes. The steering is mild and largely imprecise however has respectable on-center really feel, the journey is gorgeous, and it’s rock-solid steady at excessive velocity. However flip the wheel with any type of enthusiasm and it fails to reward. I distinctly keep in mind testing the previous-generation X3 M40i for the primary time and I knew it was an excellent automobile inside 30 ft. I might simply inform that its steering and journey 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 which means it’s sloppy. It isn’t. It’s fairly a succesful machine, even via 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 provides you the sense that it’s notably fascinated with 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’ll be able to really feel what they’re doing via your ass within the seat. Not this one, although. You may inform it’s succesful and that it’s doing its job, however solely by the outcomes. It tells you nothing via any of the controls.

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

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

What Did They Do to My Boy?

BMW’s B58 engine is one in all my favourite engines of all time. My effusive reward for the three.0-liter turbocharged straight-six through the years has possible been nauseating for anybody studying my phrases. I’ve beloved 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 offers 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 determination to isolate occupants from as a lot feeling as attainable.

Nonetheless, BMW completely neutered the B58’s noise. I’m undecided 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 sort.

In each different software, the B58 sounds superb. The Toyota Supra and BMW Z4 M40i are its finest examples, the place it feels like an unique automobile 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 among the strongest B58-powered automobiles ever, so it’s no shock BMW claims it may hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. That’s fast for a household SUV however 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 shortage of sensation, audible or in any other case.

Most Prospects Will Love It, Fanatics Received’t

All the pieces 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 looks like the head of BMW’s transition.

This new X3 is an efficient automobile; it’s comfy, quiet, spacious sufficient, and full of nice tech. Positive, it won’t be very attention-grabbing to have a look at, and its inside is a bit infantile, however it makes for a wonderful on a regular basis automobile. 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 anything 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 a watch.

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