2011 BMW X3 First Impressions

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In 2004, BMW created a new niche in the SUV segment with the launch of the X3, becoming the first European manufacturer to follow in the trailblazing footsteps of Lexus and its RX.


The Bavarian company took a different path to get there, however. While Lexus banked on regal comfort and luxury, BMW endowed the X3 with enough muscle and ruggedness to venture into the woods. Basically, it had the soul of Tarzan.

Since then, premium SUVs have exploded onto the scene and the executives in Munich have realized that most owners spend much more time in crowded cities and popular backcountry spots than in the jungle. As the Mercedes-Benz GLK350, Audi Q5, Volvo XC60 and others increased their market shares, they decided that their X3 needed a personality change. Basically, they turned it into Jane.

Familiar lines
It was important that the vehicle retained familiar lines in the process. ''The X3 has its own unique identity, one that appeals to people and becomes instantly recognizable. Naturally, we did not want to mess this up,'' explained Joe Wierda, Product Manager at BMW of North America, who presented the all-new 2011 X3 to the media during a special event in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec.

The signature double-kidney grille is back along with the twin circular headlights with ''halo'' running lights. The profile is once again defined by ultra-short overhangs and delta-shaped side glass. Three new character lines make their appearance to visually set the X3 apart from the smaller X1 and larger X5, both sporting a similar physique. The rear section does remind of the X5, although bright T-shaped LED taillights distinguish the X3.

The new model is slightly longer (+83 mm) and taller (+12 mm) than its predecessor. Ground clearance is up as well (+12 mm), while the wheelbase and tracks have been extended. According to Wierda, these new dimensions make the 2011 X3 as big as the original X5 from 2000.


A more refined interior
Inside, occupants will quickly notice the extra wood trim (BMW offers two choices of wood as well as brushed aluminum appliques). The driver-oriented cockpit also gains a large 8.8-inch high-resolution control display that serves for the iDrive multimedia interface (now standard) and the navigation system (optional).

There are plenty of storage solutions throughout the cabin – and larger ones, too. The compartments in the front door panels can even fit big water bottles. Meanwhile, two cup holders (instead of just one) are found in the centre console, which also receives a USB slot and Bluetooth interface for hands-free communication. Clearly, BMW wants to please American drivers!

Among the host of available options are cool technologies like head-up display (exclusive to X3 xDrive35i models) as well as top-view and rear-view cameras.

The front buckets offer a comfortable and commanding driving position, while the rear bench seat can sit up to three average-sized adults. Once folded, the 60/40-split seatbacks increase the available cargo room from 550 to 1,600 litres – right in the GLK's and Q5's ballpark.

More power, less fuel
The body transformation should not overshadow the work done underneath. Both trim levels are more powerful for 2011. The base xDrive28i gets a naturally-aspirated, 3.0-litre, inline six-cylinder N52 engine that produces 240 horsepower (+25) and 221 pounds-foot of torque (+36). BMW claims this two-ton X3 can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds – or a half-second faster than a 2010 X3 xDrive30i with automatic transmission.

The latter gives way to the N55-powered X3 xDrive35i. Using direct injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger, it generates 300 horsepower (+40) and 300 pounds-foot of torque (+70) from 1,200 rpm all the way to 5,000 rpm. Accelerations from 0 to 100 km/h are completed in 5.8 seconds.


At the same time, BMW reports that these engines burn 8 and 7 percent less fuel, respectively.

Eight speeds is more fun than six!
The new 8-speed automatic transmission plays a key role in improving fuel economy. The longer top gear ratios also make the engine quieter and more responsive under acceleration. Yet, it is said to weigh less than the 6-speed unit of the 2010 model. The new autobox is so smooth and flexible, actually, that owners will have the impression of driving a CVT-equipped vehicle.

A perfectly-ergonomic shift lever controls the transmission in manual mode and delivers ultra-quick shifts to get the most out of the engine. Too bad there aren't any paddle shifters on the steering wheel as well. BMW engineers should also revise the lower gear ratios to eliminate the slight hesitations when taking off in manual mode. By the way, no conventional manual gearbox is available for 2011 since demand was too small.

Advanced AWD
All X3s benefit from BMW's xDrive permanent all-wheel drive system, which offers a rear-wheel bias (40/60) in normal driving conditions. However, as soon as the going gets tough, the system distributes torque accordingly and can even send it all to the front or rear axle. The X3 is the only one in its class to do that, and BMW reps were quick to point it out. With the Audi Q5, the maximum amount of torque the front and rear wheels can receive is 65 and 85 percent, respectively. In the case of the Mercedes-Benz GLK350, no more than 70 percent of the torque can be distributed to either end.

On the road, the new X3 inspires and instills confidence despite a relatively tall ground clearance. Joe Wierda says a big part of the credit goes to the vehicle's ideal 50/50 weight distribution – no rival matches that.


All these great attributes come at a price, though. At $41,900, the 2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i costs $2,000 more than its 2010 equivalent, but the added value amounts to $5,525 according to the product manager. Likewise, the X3 xDrive35i starts at $46,900, or $1,000 higher than last year, but offers $2,010 in extra equipment.