X3

Make
BMW
Segment
SUV

The BMW X3 and its electric sibling, the iX3, are among the most handsome luxury compact SUVs out there, but BMW thinks that both are due for a facelift. Late last year, we showed you our spy shots of the refreshed iX3, but we haven't had to wait very long to see the redesigned vehicles. BMW has been rather poor with containing leaks over the last two years or so, and a few days ago, a Spanish advertisement was leaked showing the side of the new SUV as well as a new shade of green. Now, the below images have emerged from China showing the new SUVs almost in full.

As you can see, the headlights have become softer and take inspiration from the new 4 Series. On the gas-powered X3, these are darker. The design of the front fascia of each vehicle is much more jagged and angular around the various grilles, including the kidneys that have been squared off and are now joined in the middle as on the current M2 Competition. The rear gets similar attention with angular exhaust finishers, subtle faux grilles, and sharper, darker taillights.

Sadly, the resolution of these photos is rather poor, but it appears that the model above is an sDrive30i. We expect that the hotter M40i variant will be a little more aggressive, likely reapplying contrasting accents to the mirror caps and kidney grilles.

We also see images of the refreshed iX3, which takes many of the same styling cues applied to the traditional X3 and gives them a little bit of electric flavor. The kidneys are indented and feature intakes in their lower third, but the lower and flanking grilles appear identical to those on the normal X3. At the rear, a flushed faux diffuser sets the EV apart, while unique wheels that we haven't seen before do the same. It also appears that this rich shade of red will be a theme for BMW's iX models since a similar scarlet is applied to the iX. We'll have to wait for more leaks or releases to tell you about the interior, but we might get the new iDrive 8 infotainment system. More details when we have them.