Drive with us: BMW X3 Hybrid Review

Enjoy one of the best premium family SUVs on the market with a BMW lease deal

The BMW X3 is competing to be one of the go-to premium SUVs available and with some eye-catching features and a hybrid engine, it's making a strong case for itself.

Up against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5, Porsche Macan or the Volvo XC60, competition is certainly fierce.

In this latest Carparison review, we’re testing out the BMW X3 xDrive30e M Sport to see how well that hybrid engine performs, judging its practicality and its comfort levels.

Price

The BMW X3 starts from £43,370 if you’re looking at the entry-level xLine trim level with a petrol engine.  

As you progress through the range, M Sport models can start from £45,170, while the range-topping spec M Models begin at £58,560.

If you really want to push the boat out, you have the option of the mouth-watering X3 M Competition, with over 500hp, where prices start from £84,765.

Rivals like the Volvo XC60 offer slightly more affordable entry-level prices at just over £42,000. However, the Audi Q5 starts as a more expensive option at £44,640, with prices rising to at least £75,715 for the range-topping Vorsprung edition.

A BMW lease with Carparison can create a cost-effective monthly payment for those looking to get behind the wheel of a brand new vehicle.

One of the major benefits that the X3 boasts over some of its rivals is the opportunity to offer a Plug-in Hybrid engine, which comes with a whole host of benefits, including lower running costs and 13-14% Benefit in Kind tax rates for business lease customers.

Engine Choices

xLine

Petrol Plug-in Hybrid

xDrive30e xLine – from £50,600 - 292hp – (Sport Automatic Transmission with Gearshift Paddles)

Petrol

xDrive20i xLine - from £43,370 – 184hp – (Automatic Transmission with Gearshift Paddles)

Diesel

xDrive20d xLine – From £44,310 – 190hp – (Automatic Transmission with Gearshift Paddles)

M Sport

Petrol Plug-in Hybrid

xDrive30e M Sport – from £52,400 – 292hp – (Sport Automatic Transmission with Gearshift Paddles)

Petrol

xDrive20i M Sport – from £45,170 – 184hp – (Automatic Transmission with Gearshift Paddles)

Diesel

xDrive20d M Sport – from £46,110 – 190hp – (Automatic Transmission with Gearshift Paddles)

xDrive30d M Sport – from £51,510 – 286hp – (Sport Automatic Transmission with Gearshift Paddles)

M Models

Petrol

M40i - from £59,010 – 360hp – (Sport Automatic Transmission with Gearshift Paddles)

M Competition - from £84,765 – 510hp – (Automatic)

Diesel

M40d – from £58,560 – 340hp – (Sport Automatic Transmission with Gearshift Paddles)

Drive

The X3 offered one of the smoothest drives that we have experienced in a while. It's an understatement to say it cruises along well, but that's the reality. It's comfortable, easy and handles exceptionally well.

With the hybrid engine, the X3 is suitably punchy and provides more than enough power. BMW claim the X3 has an electric range of 27-30 miles. We found the real-world range to be closer to around 20 miles, but even at that, it provides a noticeable difference to your experience behind the wheel.

The handling is effortless and although you do notice the size of the vehicle, it's no trouble to manoeuvre.

Design and Interior

Road presence is guaranteed in the X3, which is broad and muscular in its design. Thanks to the kidney grille and the long, sloping bonnet, it looks incredibly commanding and premium.

Being an M Sport trim, our X3 had some nice sport detailing. However, I would say it looked more executive than sporty.

It's by no means a bad looking SUV, anything but. However, I think the better way to describe the car would be more premium than sporty, which speaks to its quality more than anything else.

The X3’s interior is beautifully designed and we must admit, it looks seriously smart. We had the luxury of the Black Vernasca Leather with blue stitching, which runs across the seats and the dash.

As a result of the dark, black-felt lined roof, it created a gloomy cabin. You can add an optional sunroof to the X3 and we think this would be a worthwhile addition. There is enough headroom that will allow you to do so without compromising on your everyday comfort.

The devil is in the detail with the X3. The cabin featured some intricate blue stitching and the ‘X’ detailing added a touch of class. You can't have any complaints about the comfort levels as the cabin lives up to its premium expectations.

Technology

We’ve been lucky to review several BMW cars over the past couple of months at Carparison, so the high quality of the technology available in the X3 came as no surprise.

BMW continue to boast a quality offering in this section of the market. The iDrive system is as good as ever, with the rotary dial still offering incredible convenience when on the move.

Everything is well laid out and the touchscreen is brilliantly responsive. You have a USB C in the armrest, USB in the centre console and two USB C ports in the rear. The Harman Kardonaudio system sounds amazing and never fails to disappoint, it is well worth upgrading to via the Technology Pack.

I did think that some elements of the centre console looked a little dated, especially when compared to what we witnessed during our recent BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe review. However, this will come down to personal taste and others may appreciate the brighter finish.

Space and Practicality

The space in the rear is generous and even passengers over six feet tall will enjoy tremendous comfort levels.

From a driving perspective, the X3 is at its best cruising along on those longer journeys and passengers in the rear will no doubt agree. There is fantastic head and legroom, while comfort levels are as high as you would expect from a BMW.

We would not recommend carrying three passengers in the rear for any longer than you need to. Despite having the headspace to do so, the large centre tunnel eats into foot space quite prominently, so we don’t think it’ll be much fun for the unlucky passenger who sits in the middle.

The boot space available in the X3 is good, but not always the most practical. The official capacity is 550L, which is slightly more than the 530L available in select Q3 models. This includes a small amount of underfloor storage and a boot floor with no load lip.

Once the rear seats fold down flat (which can be done from the boot), you do have a flat loading bed and it becomes a very practical space. Throughout the X3, there is a generous amount of storage opportunities, with a competitive armrest and glovebox combination.

Model Lines and Equipment

xLine

• 19" 694 Y-spoke Ferric Grey Alloy Wheels
•  Aluminium Exterior Trim
• Aluminium Roof Rails
• Electric Bootlid
• High-gloss Black with Pearl Chrome Interior Trim
• Sport Leather Steering Wheel
• Three-zone Automatic Air Conditioning
• Front Sport Seats
• Front Heated Seats
• Ambient Lighting
• LED Headlights
• Reversing Camera
• 8.8” Central Information Display

M Sport

• 19" 698 M Double-spoke Ferric Grey Alloy Wheels
• High-gloss Shadowline Exterior Trim
• High-gloss Shadowline Roof Rails
• M Aerodynamic Bodystyling
• Aluminium Rhombicle Interior Trim
• M Sport Multi-function Leather Steering Wheel
• M Sport Brakes with Blue Calipers
• 12.3” Instrument Display
• 10.25" Control Display

M Models

• 20" 699 M Double-spoke Bi-colour Orbit Grey Alloy Wheels
• Cerium Grey Exterior Air Inlets
• Cerium Grey Mirror Caps
• Cerium Grey Air Breather
• Dual Black Chrome Quadrilateral Exhaust Tips
• Digital Cockpit
• Sensatec Dashboard
• Semi-digital Instrument Cluster
• Adaptive LED Headlights
• High-beam Assistant

*Model lines and prices correct at the time of publication

Verdict

The BMW X3 was such an easy experience. It does so many elements exceptionally well. With the hybrid engine, you enjoy the suitably punchy performance and competitive running costs.

Being an M Sport model, our X3 included the M Sport Suspension, which we know hasn’t always been resoundingly popular. However, the end result for us was a comfortable, welcoming and generally quite a relaxing drive.

As ever with BMW, it’s the small details that set them apart. The M Sport detailing that runs throughout elevates the premium nature of this SUV. 

Premium is certainly the word I would use to describe the X3. While it may be portrayed as a ‘sporty’ vehicle, to experience the X3 at its best you have to embrace its premium underpinnings.

Want to know more about a BMW X3 lease deal? Browse our best personal contract hire offers and business contract hire deals.