Used 2022 BMW X3

The 2022 BMW X3 is a top choice among premium compact crossover SUVs. Especially for people who like a degree or three of driver engagement. Just because the X3 pulls duty as a luxury family conveyance doesn’t mean that BMW didn’t bother to bake in some of its extensive kinetic knowledge.

That’s the thing about the X3 — it covers so many bases. It’s practical and prestigious, involving and intelligent, tech-rich and talented.

Where is the X3 made? At BMW’s facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The X3 has received a revamp for 2022, and this 3rd-generation launched for the 2018 model year. It deserves its status as one of the company’s best sellers.

There’s a general consensus that the Porsche Macan has the best driving chops of any premium compact crossover SUV. For those who can afford it, that’s fine — and may they have many happy hours behind the wheel. But the BMW X3 comes close for less money. Is that extra talent at the rarely accessed limits really worth it?

The thrills pile up as the power levels increase, but even the basic 248-horsepower X3 has agility and poise, as well as an eager engine. Everything feels tuned and calibrated by engineers who appreciate the sheer joy of driving.

This is not to imply that the X3 is too firm and too focused on one aspect to function as an ideal family vehicle. At low speeds right up to freeway jaunts, the X3 is pliant and well-mannered.

Naturally, the X3 M is like other high-performance vehicles from BMW’s M division. Absolutely involving and with the right amount of too much muscle. Compact crossovers shouldn’t be this together and this precise on quick laps of a track, but the X3 M begs to differ.

Although some rivals are just as spacious (occasionally more so in a few areas), the cabin of the BMW X3 is roomy and practical, as well as luxurious in an understated way. The front sport seats have plenty of side support to keep their occupants comfortably in place through fast corners.

This year sees a center-console redesign, where a freestanding 10.25-inch touchscreen replaces last year’s 8.8-inch item. A 12.3-inch version is also available, along with a 12.3-inch digital driver information display. All the controls are still angled toward the driver in typical BMW fashion.

Cargo volume expands from a generous 28.7 to 62.7 cubic feet. And the rear seats fold to create a flat loadspace floor.

A redesign this year brings thinner LED headlights on either side of a bigger grille. The black strip between the grille’s two halves contains a camera and a few sensors, so try to keep it clean and undamaged.

Revisions have also been applied to the front and rear bumpers, the taillights, and the rear valance housing the exhaust tailpipes. Otherwise, the 2022 X3 is unmistakably a BMW, which is possibly a good thing, depending on an individual’s taste.

The X3 M sits almost half an inch lower than the regular X3, courtesy of its adaptive sport suspension. And 20-inch M-design alloy wheels fill their arches in an aesthetically satisfying way.

The inclusion of Tanzanite Blue II as a metallic paint choice might not seem especially newsworthy, but it’s the first time this popular color has been available on the X3.

ENGINES
An inline-6 engine is a traditional BMW configuration and great for producing smooth thrust. Part of the X3 M’s cylinder head is 3D-printed for optimum performance that couldn’t be achieved using traditional production methods. Attention to this kind of detail makes BMW engines such an integral part of the driving thrill.

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
Known as iDrive, BMW’s infotainment system is now in its seventh iteration, and it’s become exceptionally user-friendly over time. X3 drivers can control it by pressing multi-function buttons on the steering wheel, twirling the rotary iDrive controller in the center console, activating the touchscreen, or uttering voice commands. The Remote Software Upgrade feature keeps it up to date.

The lowliest 2022 X3 still has a high level of standard equipment. Then again, it does cost around $44k. For this price, the X3 comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, powered tailgate, leather-wrapped steering wheel, simulated leather upholstery (perforated), 10-way power-adjustable front sport seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, dark oak “wood” trim, and 40/20/40 split/folding/reclining rear seats.

Driver aids include rain-sensing wipers, front/rear parking sensors, automatic high beams, fatigue/focus alert, post-crash braking, and the Active Driving Assistant package (detailed in the Safety section below).

The infotainment system has a 10.25-inch display, satellite radio, navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, and Wi-Fi.

The X3 M40i is a great choice for driving enthusiasts who don’t need full-on BMW M performance. It packs several features that make the X3 M so special, such as a sport-tuned adaptive suspension, variable-ratio sport steering, and torque vectoring. Also included are a panoramic sunroof and stronger brakes, plus the twin 12.3-inch displays for driver information and infotainment.

Naturally, there are many other elements to differentiate the X3 M beyond the more powerful engine, such as a lubrication system designed to work under high lateral forces, M-tuned transmission/all-wheel-drive system, M Dynamic mode for the traction/stability control, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a Harman Kardon surround-sound system.

Various features that are standard in the 2022 X3 M40i are available as options in the sDrive/xDrive30i models — like the panoramic sunroof, twin 12.3-inch displays, Harman Kardon audio, keyless entry/ignition, and variable-ratio sport steering.

Other extras include real leather upholstery, ambient cabin lighting, rear side window shades, heated steering wheel, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, larger alloy wheels (up to 21 inches), wireless charging, gesture control, and a head-up display.

A self-parking feature and more driver assistance features are also on the options list (see the Safety section below).

The Competition version of the X3 M boosts engine output and comes with 21-inch alloy wheels, plus an active exhaust system that goes from neighbor-considerate to track-day fanfares.

The engine in the 2022 X3 sDrive30i and xDrive30i is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit developing 248 horsepower. In the sDrive30i, the setup is rear-wheel drive (RWD); the xDrive30i has all-wheel drive (AWD).

The M40i has a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 engine. A new addition for 2022 is a 48-volt mild hybrid system. It smooths the fuel-saving stop/restart function, allows the engine to coast under light loads, and provides a little extra kick for acceleration. Output is a considerable 382 horsepower.

True to form, BMW provides the means to go beyond even that with the high-performance X3 M, whose turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 makes 473 horsepower in regular form — or 503 horsepower as a Competition variant. Torque is boosted this year from 442 lb-ft to 457 in the regular X3 M and 479 in the Competition. All-wheel drive is standard in these models and the M40i.

All versions of the 2022 X3 use an 8-speed automatic transmission. And premium gasoline is required for all engines.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (sDrive 30i & xDrive30i)
248 horsepower @ 5,200-6,500 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,450-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/29 mpg (RWD), 21/28 mpg (AWD)

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 & 48-volt MHEV system (M40i)
382 horsepower @ 5,800-6,500 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/26 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (X3 M)
473 horsepower @ 6,250 rpm
457 lb-ft of torque @ 2,750-5,450 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/20 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (X3 M Competition)
503 horsepower @ 6,250 rpm
479 lb-ft of torque @ 2,750-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/20 mpg