BMW X3 2024 Review

In recent years, Malaysia's D-Segment SUV market has been heating up, with consumers seeking both the luxury feel of premium brands and practicality for everyday use. The 2024 BMW X3 sDrive20i Final Edition is designed to cater to this demand. As the final edition of this generation of the X3, it comes almost fully equipped while maintaining a relatively affordable price (RM 311,800), which is nearly RM 46,000 cheaper than the plug-in hybrid xDrive30e Final Edition. In this test drive, we mainly aim to verify whether this "Final Edition" can retain BMW's driving DNA while meeting the high requirements of family users for space and configuration.

At first glance, the 2024 X3 sDrive20i Final Edition features the classic kidney grille design with chrome trim, making it highly recognizable. However, the grille size has not been excessively enlarged, maintaining the SUV's sense of stability. The LED headlights on the front adopt a smoked treatment, and the LED light strips inside create a sharp effect when illuminated. Automatic headlights and front fog lights are standard, making daily use very convenient. The side profile is sleek, with a waistline stretching from the front fenders to the rear, which prevents the side from looking bulky. Paired with uniformly sized 245/45 R20 tires, the visual effect is balanced and upscale. At the rear, the LED taillights use an L-shaped design, echoing the headlights, while the chrome trim at the bottom of the rear bumper enhances its overall sophistication. The exterior design aligns with BMW's family style without being overly ostentatious.

Stepping inside, the interior layout is neat and well-organized, with the center console slightly tilted toward the driver for easier operations. In terms of materials, the upper sections of the door panels and the dashboard are wrapped in soft-touch materials, providing a good tactile experience, while the silver accents in the details add to the sense of luxury. The instrument panel is a 12.3-inch fully digital display screen with clear visuals and configurable themes; the center console screen is a 10.25-inch touchscreen, paired with the iDrive system, which operates smoothly and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (although not clearly listed in the specs, it was tested to be compatible). In terms of features, a HUD heads-up display, tri-zone automatic climate control, and power adjustable front seats with memory function are all standard. The rear seats are also equipped with air conditioning vents and power outlets, showing thoughtful attention to detail.

Regarding space performance, the dimensions of the vehicle are 4708mm in length, 1891mm in width, and 1676mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2864mm. With the front driver’s seat adjusted to a comfortable position, a passenger with a height of 175cm still has a fist’s worth of headroom; the rear offers two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom. Even with three adults seated in the rear, it does not feel crowded. The trunk has a storage capacity of 550L, which is more than sufficient for a stroller or suitcase during daily use. The rear seats can be folded in a 40:20:40 split, which expands the storage capacity when folded down, making it practical for transporting larger items. Additionally, the seats come with remote folding functionality, making the operation more convenient. As for storage spaces, the door bins, central armrest box, and front cup holders are decently sized, making it easy to store personal items.

Powertrain: The 2024 X3 sDrive20i Final Edition is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 184PS and a peak torque of 300N·m, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and it features rear-wheel drive (Note: The configuration table lists the drive mode as All Wheel Drive, but the sDrive model is actually rear-wheel drive, so the model name here should be considered accurate). In daily driving, the throttle response is linear, acceleration is not sluggish, and low-speed driving is smooth. When switched to Sport mode, the throttle sensitivity increases, acceleration becomes more aggressive, and during mid-to-high-speed overtaking, you can feel significant power output when pressing down the throttle. The official 0-100 km/h acceleration time is 8.2 seconds, which is more than adequate for daily commuting and occasional highway overtaking.

Handling: The steering is precise with minimal dead zone, light at low speeds, and stable at high speeds, consistent with BMW's tuning style. The suspension system features a front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned with a focus on comfort while retaining a certain level of support. When driving on bumpy roads, the suspension effectively filters out most minor vibrations, and the body doesn't experience obvious shaking; during cornering, body roll is well-controlled, providing plenty of confidence. The braking performance is stable, with linear feedback from the brake pedal, and the vehicle maintains a stable posture during emergency braking.

Fuel efficiency: The official combined fuel consumption is 7.3L/100km. During our test drive, which mainly involved city driving with occasional highway trips, the actual fuel consumption was around 8.5L/100km. Considering the weight of the SUV and the 2.0T engine, this fuel efficiency is within the normal range for its class. Noise control is well-handled; wind and tire noise are minimal at high speed, allowing for an uninterrupted conversation inside the car; engine noise is noticeable during hard acceleration but isn't overly harsh.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2024 BMW X3 sDrive20i Final Edition include its rich configuration (HUD, 360-degree camera, power seats, etc., all as standard), practical space, smooth driving experience, and the retained BMW handling quality, while being more budget-friendly compared to the plug-in hybrid version. Compared with similar models such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 and Audi Q5L 40 TFSI, it offers more comprehensive features and a more competitive price. This car is suitable for families who value brand quality and need ample space or for consumers who enjoy the BMW driving experience but have budget constraints. If you're looking for a well-rounded and hassle-free luxury midsize SUV for daily use, the 2024 X3 sDrive20i Final Edition is worth considering.