X3 M

Make
BMW
Segment
SUV

We live in a digital era, one where a car is more than just the sum of its parts, and definitely more than just about the way it drives. More and more we're seeing infotainment becoming a focal point of the modern automobile, with screen sizes increasing exponentially. So it's a little strange that BMW's compact performance SUVs, the BMW X3 M and BMW X4 M, still don't have BMW's latest iDrive 7.0 infotainment software. The standard X3 and X4 received the upgrade in the Fall of 2019, but until now, the M versions have made do with the older, outdated iDrive 6.0, despite making use of the larger 10.25-inch touchscreen display. From April 2020, that all changes, as BMW is finally upgrading the M twins' infotainment.

All X3 and X4 Ms produced from April will be equipped with the full iDrive 7.0 suite, but with the new software, the two will also be getting new instrumentation and instrument clusters. The current design uses semi-digital gauges that can change style based on driving modes, but the new system will effectively be the same as the fully-digital instrumentation found in the X5 M and X6 M.

Most will notice the infotainment more than the gauges though, as the new interface eschews the tile-based design of iDrive 6.0, with the BMW Live Cockpit Connected Drive interface taking pride of place. The new software will also include the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant - a voice-command system where the car responds to the activation phrase "Hey, BMW" and can be programmed by the driver to personalize the experience. Additionally, gesture control will be available for some functions, adding an extra layer of control to the interface.

With the new system on the horizon, it might be worth waiting for a few months before ordering your X3 M or X4 M - we would.