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2009 BMW X3-Series Bottom Line

September 30, 2009

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

TheCarConnection.com has combed the Web for the most insightful input from a range of reviewers. In addition, you’ll find TheCarConnection.com’s Bottom Line assessment here, assembled by editors who have driven the X3 firsthand.

Likes:

  • Strong acceleration
  • Interior styling
  • Available manual transmission
  • Standard all-wheel drive
  • Panoramic sunroof

Dislikes:

  • Tight backseat
  • Choppy styling outside
  • Doesn’t handle like BMW’s cars

Buying Tips:


Not completely sold on the X3? Take a look across the lot at the 3-Series wagon, which TheCarConnection.com thinks is a lot more fun to drive.

The 2009 BMW X3 is a compact crossover vehicle built in South Carolina, and it takes on the likes of the Acura RDX and the Land Rover LR2 as BMW's entry-level off-roader. The 2009 X3 is a four-door with a wagon back, a taller ride height, and all-wheel drive.

When the BMW X3 originally went on sale in 2004, it had a harsh ride and wasn’t as refined as BMW’s cars; also, it simply didn't live up to the standards of quality we’d come to associate with the German automaker. Today, however, the 2009 BMW X3 far outperforms that original effort, but it’s not completely well conceived.

The X3 is powered by a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower; a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive are standard equipment, while a six-speed Steptronic automatic is available as a no-cost option. The X3 has strong acceleration and is very responsive with either gearbox, but it doesn’t provide the sharp steering and balanced handling expected from BMW’s cars. Handling and ride are still biased toward the SUV end of the spectrum, though the harsh, jittery ride has been toned down.

The interior of the BMW X3 is tight. Front-seat occupants get comfortable, supportive seats and plenty of space, but adults in the backseat will likely find their knees mashed up. The interior now offers adequate storage spaces for smaller items, and interior styling is somewhat like that in BMW's own 3-Series cars, with a bit of wood trim on the panels.

Second-row, side impact airbags are available optionally. NHTSA has not yet tested the new BMW X3, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives it "good" ratings for front and side impact protection and calls it a Top Safety Pick. Front side and side-curtain airbags are standard, along with electronic stability control.

Nifty features include a panorama-style roof, heated front and second-row seats, available heated steering wheel (cold weather package), park assist, and Bluetooth wireless technology.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 BMW X3, also consider:

Reason Why:

While the BMW X3 was the lone luxury compact crossover ute a few years ago, there are now plenty of great alternatives. The new Volvo XC60 comes with a torquey inline six-cylinder engine, like the BMW, but it has a roomier interior and, some will think, a more fashionable interior. Volvo also offers more high-tech safety features. The Land Rover LR2 is related to the XC60 but has more off-road credibility, along with a more cluttered interior design. Two new entries, the Mercedes-Benz GLK and Audi Q5, look to woo buyers looking for a smaller yet very luxurious SUV. The GLK has some measure of off-road ability, while the Q5 aims at the crowd planning to stay on-road. The most refined vehicle in this class, the Acura RDX, is a stiff competitor but suffers a bit from a choppy ride and a slightly off-base, zippy turbocharged engine; TheCarConnection.com’s editors also think that the RDX has the best handling.

The Bottom Line:

The 2009 BMW X3 is a more rugged alternative to a sport wagon—but it’s not nearly as much fun to drive.

TheCarConnection.com has combed the Web for the most insightful input from a range of reviewers. In addition, you’ll find TheCarConnection.com’s Bottom Line assessment here, assembled by editors who have driven the X3 firsthand. Likes:Strong accelerationInterior stylingAvailable manual transmissionStandard all-wheel drivePanoramic sunroofDislikes:Tight backseatChoppy styling outsideDoesn’t handle like BMW’s carsBuying Tips: Not completely sold on the X3? Take a look across the lot at the 3-Series wagon, which TheCarConnection.com thinks is a lot more fun to drive. The 2009 BMW X3 is a compact crossover vehicle built in South Carolina, and it takes on the likes of the Acura RDX and the Land Rover LR2 as BMW's entry-level off-roader. The 2009 X3 is a four-door with a wagon back, a taller ride height, and all-wheel drive. When the BMW X3 originally went on sale in 2004, it had a harsh ride and wasn’t as refined as BMW’s cars; also, it simply didn't live up to the standards of quality we’d come to associate with the German automaker. Today, however, the 2009 BMW X3 far outperforms that original effort, but it’s not completely well conceived. The X3 is powered by a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower; a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive are standard equipment, while a six-speed Steptronic automatic is available as a no-cost option. The X3 has strong acceleration and is very responsive with either gearbox, but it doesn’t provide the sharp steering and balanced handling expected from BMW’s cars. Handling and ride are still biased toward the SUV end of the spectrum, though the harsh, jittery ride has been toned down. The interior of the BMW X3 is tight. Front-seat occupants get comfortable, supportive seats and plenty of space, but adults in the backseat will likely find their knees mashed up. The interior now offers adequate storage spaces for smaller items, and interior styling is somewhat like that in BMW's own 3-Series cars, with a bit of wood trim on the panels. Second-row, side impact airbags are available optionally. NHTSA has not yet tested the new BMW X3, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives it "good" ratings for front and side impact protection and calls it a Top Safety Pick. Front side and side-curtain airbags are standard, along with electronic stability control. Nifty features include a panorama-style roof, heated front and second-row seats, available heated steering wheel (cold weather package), park assist, and Bluetooth wireless technology. Other Choices:If you like the 2008 BMW X3, also consider:Acura RDXAudi Q5Land Rover LR2Mercedes-Benz GLKVolvo XC60Reason Why:While the BMW X3 was the lone luxury compact crossover ute a few years ago, there are now plenty of great alternatives. The new Volvo XC60 comes with a torquey inline six-cylinder engine, like the BMW, but it has a roomier interior and, some will think, a more fashionable interior. Volvo also offers more high-tech safety features. The Land Rover LR2 is related to the XC60 but has more off-road credibility, along with a more cluttered interior design. Two new entries, the Mercedes-Benz GLK and Audi Q5, look to woo buyers looking for a smaller yet very luxurious SUV. The GLK has some measure of off-road ability, while the Q5 aims at the crowd planning to stay on-road. The most refined vehicle in this class, the Acura RDX, is a stiff competitor but suffers a bit from a choppy ride and a slightly off-base, zippy turbocharged engine; TheCarConnection.com’s editors also think that the RDX has the best handling. The Bottom Line:The 2009 BMW X3 is a more rugged alternative to a sport wagon—but it’s not nearly as much fun to drive. TheCarConnection.com has combed the Web for the most insightful input from a range of reviewers. In addition, you’ll find TheCarConnection.com’s Bottom Line assessment here, assembled by editors who have driven the X3 firsthand. Likes Strong acceleration Interior styling Available ...

Other Choices:

While the BMW X3 was the lone luxury compact crossover ute a few years ago, there are now plenty of great alternatives. The new Volvo XC60 comes with a torquey inline six-cylinder engine, like the BMW, but it has a roomier interior and, some will think, a more fashionable interior. Volvo also offers more high-tech safety features. The Land Rover LR2 is related to the XC60 but has more off-road credibility, along with a more cluttered interior design. Two new entries, the Mercedes-Benz GLK and Audi Q5, look to woo buyers looking for a smaller yet very luxurious SUV. The GLK has some measure of off-road ability, while the Q5 aims at the crowd planning to stay on-road. The most refined vehicle in this class, the Acura RDX, is a stiff competitor but suffers a bit from a choppy ride and a slightly off-base, zippy turbocharged engine; TheCarConnection.com’s editors also think that the RDX has the best handling.

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See the BMW X3-Series in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2001

Comments (1 total)

  1. By BMW X3 Buy #1, Posted: 9/15/2009

    I am the very VERY disappointed owner of a brand new 2009 BMW X3. Here are some points:
    - 10 mpg city driving.
    - bucking, rocking, rolling, unstable ride at low speeds on regular streets. This is beyond normal SUV hard riding, this is bouncy like a ball.
    - hesitation to accelerate from a stop in a turn uphill.
    - Automatic transmission problems may not have been completely fixed from the 2007 model. See bimmerfest.com for much more information on this subject.
    - Sudden down shifting and loss of speed.
    No one needs to be told how expensive a car this is. Everyone needs to be told BEFORE BUYING what the issues are.
    It is sometimes difficult to find the right sites and it is just pure lack of luck that I did not find out about this car beforehand as I would NEVER HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR. Can I say yellow fruit?

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