Snug, Fast, and Completely Mainstream

About 15 years in the past, BMW began catching flak from loyal lovers concerning the model slapping its “M” badges on automobiles that weren’t correct M automobiles. “‘M’ stands for ‘advertising and marketing’ 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 suppose M is for advertising and marketing; I feel it stands for mainstream.

All the pieces concerning the X3 M50 appears sanitized, stripped of character and appeal, 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 teen’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 seems 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 clients are getting it confused with electrical “i” fashions, nevertheless it seems 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 every week with it, it grew on me. I nonetheless don’t adore it; it’s painfully boring, has far too many slab-like panels, its headlights appear to be they have been designed on a serviette at lunch, and it’s fully devoid of character. Nevertheless, at the least in M50 guise and sporting Vegas Purple Metallic paint, it started to look identical to a generic fast SUV to me, moderately than one thing offensive. That stated, my neighbor has a 2024 BMW X3 M40i and it proves how far this new X3 has fallen.

Sometimes, 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 couple 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 at the least form of regular (a triumph for any trendy BMW), I just like the iX-inspired hood design, and its general 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 wanting ones from, Acura, Volvo, and even upcoming newbies just like the Rivian R2. I additionally had an opportunity to check a few of them just lately and it exhibits how far this phase 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 terms of their interiors: maturity. BMW’s have all the time had severe 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 huge heart console V-shaped gentle bar appears foolish and simply takes up house, the A-pillars are thick and in the best way, and BMW’s incessant use of hidden air vents with annoying little directional management toggles is irritating.

Nevertheless, probably the most egregious inside error is the complete door pull space. The X3’s inside door pulls are little triangular jobs which can 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 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 prices shockingly shortly—and an enormous 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 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 count on from a BMW cabin nevertheless it appears 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 count on a ton of elevated inside house, versus its predecessor. Nevertheless, that’s solely true within the trunk, the place its 31.5 cubic-feet of cargo house bests the previous X3’s 28.7 cubic-feet. The previous-gen X3 truly has virtually an inch of additional entrance headroom, whereas entrance leg and shoulder room are about the identical. The previous automotive’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 non-obligatory 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 previous one, it definitely isn’t the massive improve that its exterior mass appears to counsel.

Drives for Mass-Market Enchantment

I couldn’t assist however suppose, after every week of driving the BMW X3 M50 in each form of lifelike situation, that it might make an incredible Mercedes. The steering is gentle and largely obscure however has first rate on-center really feel, the journey 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 keep in mind testing the previous-generation X3 M40i for the primary time and I knew it was an incredible automotive inside 30 toes. I may simply inform that its steering and journey have been tuned by individuals who care about driving. However this one? It feels prefer it was designed for mass-market enchantment.

Don’t suppose meaning it’s sloppy. It isn’t. It’s fairly a succesful machine, even by means 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 notably fascinated with doing so. Few trendy BMWs speak to you thru the steering anymore, that largely died after the E90. However most trendy Bimmers nonetheless speak to you thru the chassis; you possibly can really feel what they’re doing by means of your ass within the seat. Not this one, although. You’ll be able to inform it’s succesful and that it’s doing its job, however solely by the outcomes. It tells you nothing by means of any of the controls.

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

The journey is great, although. It’s supple and rounds out bumps fantastically, 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 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 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 cherished 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 easy as ever and gives loads of efficiency. I used to be admittedly a contact disillusioned 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 attainable.

Nevertheless, 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 be aware 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 a substitute, 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 wonderful. The Toyota Supra and BMW Z4 M40i are its finest 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 might probably 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 shortage of sensation, audible or in any other case.

Most Clients Will Love It, Lovers Gained’t

All the pieces concerning 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 route for years. Nevertheless, this new X3 seems 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 superb on a regular basis automotive. Nevertheless, 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 a substitute, I wouldn’t bat an eye fixed.

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