2020 BMW X3 M Test Drive Review: Too Competitive For Its Own Good?
It was only a matter of time before the BMW M Division got its hands on the X3. M-branded SUVs have been around for about a decade now but this is the first time we've seen an X3 M from BMW. With no M3 wagon in the works and strong sales from competitors like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, Jaguar F-Pace SVR, and Mercedes-AMG GLC63, slapping an M badge on the back of the X3 should be an easy recipe for success.
The standard X3 is already a strong competitor in the compact luxury SUV segment and the M division knows how to take a standard BMW and transform it into a ballistic missile. BMW will offer both a standard X3 M and a faster Competition model. We are a bit dumbfounded by BMW's use of the Competition nomenclature but perhaps there is some ultra-competitive SUV racing class we've never heard of.
To create the X3 M, the M Division has thrown in tons of performance goodies such as stiffer suspension, more aggressive bodywork, and a new twin-turbocharged inline-six that will also power the next-generation M3 and M4. So if you can't wait for those cars to arrive or simply need more practicality out of your performance car, maybe consider the X3 M.
What's the Price of the 2020 BMW X3 M?
The BMW X3 M starts at an MSRP of $69,900, increasing to $76,900 for the X3 M Competition. The price excludes tax, licensing, registration, optional extras, and a destination/handling charge of $995. It's a hefty sum that suddenly makes the X3 M40i (also with turbocharged six-cylinder power) seem especially appealing at $55,900. Still, that's without the extreme M modifications that diehard enthusiasts will consider essential. Positioned right in-between the X3 M and the X3 M Competition is the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 at $73,750.
2020 X3 M Exterior
Dimensions
Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
186.2 in | 112.8 in | 65.6 in | 74.7 in | 63.9 in | 63.1 in | 4,620.0 lbs |
2020 X3 M Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
You better buckle in because it's going to be a bumpy ride. On the same that day we drove the X3 M, we also had a chance to sample a variety of other BMW models including sports cars like the M8 and Z4. Of all the cars we drove, the X3 M was by far the stiffest. It has to be. In order to counteract the physics of having such a tall vehicle on a race track, the M Division was forced to include incredibly stiff springs, which cause your head to bounce around over rough pavement. And that's in the most comfortable setting. This being an M car, there are nearly endless amounts of settings for the drivetrain, transmission, and suspension, which can make the ride even stiffer should you be in the mood for a tweaked vertebra. We should note, BMW only had the X3 M Competition available, so we didn't have a chance to find out if the standard model is any softer.
All of this stiffness is supposed to aid the X3 M when you get it out on a race track, which is something we doubt many X3 M owners will actually do. Even so, we had a chance to drive the mechanically identical X4 M around BMW's test track, where it did show off some track prowess… for an SUV. There is some noticeable tire squeal, which is to be expected of a tall SUV on a race track, but the vehicle rotates well around the corners and fires out with a burst of all-wheel-drive grip.
The vehicle feels a bit twitchy around corners, which can be disconcerting until you become comfortable with it. Once you get a feel for the limits, executing a slide is fairly easy and you can navigate a faster route around the track by cutting corners using the ride height to your advantage. We found that the throttle is too touchy in its most aggressive setting but the new S58 inline-six engine pulls hard and sounds much better than the outgoing S55. As always, BMW's eight-speed automatic transmission works flawlessly on the road and the racetrack though we wish it hard larger paddle shifters like the Alfa Stelvio.
2020 X3 M Interior
2020 X3 M Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
---|---|---|---|---|
4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 12 Years / Unlimited Miles | 4 Years / Unlimited Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles |
Verdict: Is the 2020 BMW X3 M A Good SUV?
We can't imagine any scenarios where someone would "need" an SUV with over 500 horsepower and 0-60 mph time of around four seconds, but that hasn't stopped automakers from pumping them out. Since these vehicles are somewhat pointless and quite expensive, choosing between them ends up as a matter of preference based on their engines, styling, and overall performance.
The X3 M sits in a shockingly crowded field that includes the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, Jaguar F-Pace SVR, and Mercedes-AMG GLC63. Of this bunch, we prefer the V8 engines found in the SVR and AMG and the Quadrifoglio offers better steering feel. Mercedes also offers a more premium interior but BMW does have Alfa Romeo and Jaguar beat on quality. The X3 M offers competitive performance among this segment but it isn't quite the quickest or most powerful.
The X3 M offers a great preview for the next-generation M3 and M4 with that fabulous S58 engine. We just think the drivetrain feels a bit unnecessary in a tall SUV, especially one that needs to be stiff beyond reason in order to lap a racetrack quickly. The X3 M's competitors are also incredibly stiff too though, so this trend of back-breaking SUVs isn't exclusive to BMW. If you like the feel of a modern BMW M car, you'll probably enjoy the X3 M. With impressive handling, a stellar drivetrain, and a premium interior, we would have no trouble recommending the X3 M amongst its competition.
What BMW X3 M Model Should I Buy?
Although we didn't have a chance to sample it, the non-Competition X3 M is likely a bit more comfortable and offers almost no noticeable drop in performance at a lower price. We'd option an exciting color like Toronto Red Metallic for $550 and a few options such as the Executive Package for $3,900 and the Driving Assistance Plus Package for $1,700. Ventilated seats would be nice but BMW forces you to combine this purchase with the $950 M Sport seats, which we found to be too heavily bolstered. All in, our perfect X3 M would cost $76,050.
2020 BMW X3 M Comparisons
2020 BMW X3 M vs Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 SUV
Probably the X3 M's most direct competitor, the GLC63 is a formidable performance SUV with a brawny 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 under the hood. It produces 469 horsepower, which is just short of the X3 M's 473 horses and behind the X3 M Competition's 503 hp. That said, the GLC63 is lighter, allowing it to just beat the X3 twins to 60 mph in a scant 3.8 seconds. While the difference in performance is negligible, there's a bigger discrepancy in the character of the AMG's V8 relative to the BMW's inline-six: the Mercedes engine always makes a wonderful growl and makes for a more smile-inducing experience. Unless you're on a race track where the X3's M-trickery comes into play, the GLC is also more comfortable on the road. It's not as sharp as the X3 M, but its suspension also isn't as punishingly uncomfortable. There's little to separate the two Germans in the cabins: both feature a plethora of high-quality materials and loads of features, but the AMG perhaps has the more interesting design from behind the wheel. The X3 M perhaps takes itself too seriously - while we admire BMW's commitment to instilling its SUV with that hyper-focused M DNA, the GLC feels like the better-rounded SUV.
2020 BMW X3 M vs Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio already established itself as a better driver's car than the outgoing BMW M3, but can the Stelvio SUV do the same against the X3 M? Based on price alone, it should, because the Stelvio Quadrifoglio costs over $80,000 - that's a significant premium for an Alfa over an equivalent German. Its magnificent 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 produces 505 hp (more than the X3 M Competition) and enables an even more ridiculous claimed 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds. Not only that, but the Alfa's V6 sings a sweeter tune than the X3 M's inline-six and throttle response is sensational. Around corners, the Stelvio does a wondrous job of pretending like it's not an SUV, such is its agility and precision. Like many Alfas, it's the harmonious way that all major controls operate together that makes them irresistible to drive. Also like most Alfas, the X3 has it soundly beaten for interior quality, and there's more space for passengers and their cargo in the BMW, too. But you aren't buying these high-performance SUVs for more trunk space, so we'll take the Alfa, please.