As “that car guy” to my friends and family, I’ve grown accustomed to being asked what kind of vehicle they should buy next time they’re in the market for one. These are usually pretty casual conversations that result in the prospective buyer going out and purchasing something nothing at all like what I suggest.
Occasionally, though, I get questions from drivers who are very serious about getting a car that meets a specific set of criteria. The latest of these came from my wife’s parents, and in this case, the “want” list was quite tight: it must be fun to drive, reasonably roomy and it should preferably be German, and if at all possible, a BMW.
Doesn’t get a lot more specific than that. Last year, I’d have suggested a 5 Series Touring (station wagon) in a heartbeat, but BMW’s steady move away from traditional wagons (the 3 Series Touring is the only one left for North American buyers) and toward “wagodans” like the 5 Series Gran Turismo has left long-time Bimmerphiles like my in-laws (who think the 5 Series GT is too ugly for words) with little choice: beyond the brand’s sedans, the most “traditional” vehicles in BMW’s line-up are its X3 and X5 “sport activity vehicles,” or, as they’re known outside of the company’s boardrooms and focus groups, crossovers or SUVs.
That is how my in-laws came to own a 2011 BMW X3, after years of my father-in-law, who loves the 1994 525i sedan they already own, insisting he would never own an SUV or crossover.
The thing is, while the X3 is a crossover, it doesn’t drive like one. BMW, of course, has been very careful to imbue this second-generation X3 with the same driving dynamics as its cars, improving upon the original X3.
There’s the firm ride, which does an admirable job of keeping things comfortable on all but the worst surfaces. That suspension also contributes to handling that makes the X3 almost as “tossable” and balanced in aggressive cornering as a 3 or 5 Series. Forget wanting to ban the X3 from the BMW line-up for being an SUV; consider, instead, rejecting it as an SUV because it’s far too much fun to drive to fit the ungainly stereotype most vehicles in that category have earned.
The X3 comes standard with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system, widely regarded as one of the best in luxury segment, despite not becoming popular until well after Audi’s better-known Quattro system. Rather than provide off-road readiness, the xDrive is designed to maximize performance on paved surfaces. In normal driving, 60 per cent of the engine’s torque goes to the rear wheels, but that front/rear balance is infinitely variable, with a centre differential automatically apportioning power between the front and rear axles as road conditions dictate.
There is no low-range gearing, and no manual controls for the system whatsoever. Its most obvious benefits would be seen on snowy/icy/wet surfaces, but it also plays a big part in keeping the car balanced in fast corners, working with the stability control system to virtually eliminate any over- or understeer.
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| 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i by Chris Chase, autos.ca |
New under the hood for 2011 is an eight-speed automatic transmission, whose close-coupled ratios are geared with a view to lowering fuel consumption. Eight gears are a lot for a transmission to shift through, so it’s good that it does so smoothly. In normal drive mode, upshifts happen early and often – this is okay, as the 35i’s torquey engine doesn’t need to be spinning fast to make good power – and Sport mode holds gears longer and makes the X3 more responsive to the throttle. Interestingly, Sport mode also seems to soften throttle tip-in somewhat, making for smoother city driving, despite the higher shift points. Reflecting a general apathy towards manual transmissions among North American drivers, the X3 isn’t offered with one here.
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| 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i by Chris Chase, autos.ca |
The X3′s seating height is a lot closer to that of the 3 Series than you’d expect. It’s higher, yes, but you don’t sit towering over everything else on the road. The view is not unlike that from inside the Ford Flex, a bigger crossover that sits its occupants at something closer to full-size sedan height.
Despite occupying the same place in BMW’s crossover hierarchy as the 3 Series does among the brand’s sedans, the X3 is far roomier than that car. Rear seat leg- and headroom are generous, even when fitted with my tester’s dual-pane sunroof. Not only can I very comfortably sit “behind myself,” but the rear seat remains perfectly useful for passengers of average height with the fronts pushed fully rearward. Toe room under the fronts is good, too. A narrow rear door opening – the leading edge of the long door hides a wide, space-thieving B-pillar, no doubt a nod to structural stiffness – is a demerit, making getting in and out a test of flexibility for tall riders. Another is the shape of the D-pillar, which, when doing a quick shoulder check before changing lanes, tricks the brain into “seeing” a vehicle in the X3′s blind spot. After a week and nearly 500 km behind the wheel, this still got me almost every time.
Otherwise, the view out is fine, and is made better with the addition of a “top-view” back-up camera that provides a 360-degree look at what’s around the car. This is a $2,300 add, as part of the Executive Package, which also brings adjustable front-seat lumbar supports, a lighting package, satellite radio and an upgraded stereo.
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| 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i by Chris Chase, autos.ca |
In xDrive35i trim, with its turbocharged engine, the X3′s base price is $46,900. To that, BMW added $8,500 in options, including the $4,000 Premium Package, Technology Package ($2,200) and Executive Package ($2,300), for an as-tested price of $57,495, including freight.
While I’d personally be happy to sacrifice some interior space for the 3 Series’ Touring’s lower stance and available manual transmission, the X3 presents a liveable compromise for drivers who want sports sedan-like driveability with the added cargo space that was once the station wagon’s exclusive domain. The 2011 BMW X3 is arguably a better value than the 3 Series wagon, too, given that my turbocharged tester costs just $1,200 more than that wagon with its less-powerful non-turbo motor, and offers as much (if not more) interior space than the dearly departed 5 Series wagon. BMW has done its homework, improving on the original X3 and creating a crossover sporty enough to appeal even to those drivers who never thought they’d see themselves in one.
Pricing: 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i
# Base price: $46,900
# Options: $8,500 (Premium Package of panoramic sunroof, auto-dimming mirrors, park distance control and automatic tailgate, $4,000; Technology Package of navigation, teleservices and Bluetooth, $2,200; Executive Package of top-view backup camera, adjustable lumbar support, lighting package, satellite radio and upgraded sound system, $2,300)
# A/C tax: $100
# Freight: $1,995
# Price as tested: $57,495
