2019 BMW X3 M40i essentials: Small, sporty and good-looking

07/17/2019

The 2019 BMW X3 M40i comes with a 3.0-liter turbocharged I6 making 355 hp.

What is it: The BMW X3 was new for 2018 with changes including an extended wheelbase (by 2.2 inches), a new three-dimensional kidney grille and new fog lights. In the rear the X3 gets new taillights with LED upgrade options for both ends. It’s also the first BMW SUV to come from the factory with a hitch. It’s rated at 4,400 pounds.

Key Competitors: Audi Q5, Lexus NX, Mercedes-Benz GLC

Base Price: $55,645 As-Tested Price: $68,520

Full review: 2018 BMW X3 review

Highlights: Base SUVs come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four making 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. This upgraded tester — the X3 M40i — replaces that four with a turbocharged inline-six delivering 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. With launch control, the X3 will scramble to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, according to the manufacturer, and from the butt dyno, that sounds accurate.

The 2019 BMW X3 M40i comes with leather, navigation, a sunroof and more.

Our Opinion: The big four players in this arena are the Lexus NX, Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC and this X3. The NX is a little smaller (the bigger Lexus RX gets an optional third row now), as is the Q5. Our X3 is the upgraded M40i, which runs up more specifically against the Audi SQ5 with 354 hp and the midgrade Mercedes-AMG GLC43 delivering 362 hp. The V8-powered GLC63 obviously blows it out of the water with 469 hp. The NX, Acura RDX and the X3 all sell at about the same rate.

If you want the sportiest small SUV you can get, you have to upgrade to the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 or the new X3 M. If you want the most comfortable, it’s probably the Mercedes base model or the Lexus NX. However, if you’re looking for a balanced, sporty SUV and want to land in the reasonable mid-50s price range, the choice is between the SQ5, this X3 M40i and the GLC43.

On looks, I’m picking the X3 over the Audi, but the SQ5 isn’t an ugly duckling. The X3 has a stronger, squared-off front end and probably looks tougher all the way around. The Audi is a little more slight, curvy and futuristic looking. They both sort of look like the same car as their respective previous models, so if you want something that “looks brand new” you might have to find something else.

Inside, and boy I hate to bang this drum again, but I will: The Mercedes feels more luxurious than the rest; I’d put the Lexus second. The materials in the Mercedes look and feel nicer, but the tech is so cutting edge it’s almost too much. The BMW gets the overall nod in infotainment ease of use. This X3 gets a huge sunroof too, which I love, except for weeks when the temps stay around 90 degrees and even with the AC on you feel like you’re getting cooked.

Where this X3 really excels is in the handling. That’s what you buy a BMW for. The thick steering wheel does a good impression of a hydraulic power steering setup even though it’s electronic and it’s probably heavier effort-wise than the other three. I suppose the Audi feels quicker off center. The X3 is planted on the expressway but can easily shoot through holes in traffic. This BMW does have the variable sport steering as standard, which quickens up the ratio. I’m reading in the forums that it has less feel than the standard setup, but without a back-to-back test, I couldn’t make that judgment. The 21-inch wheels make it a little louder and a little harsher than it might need to be. They’re a $1,900 option that I would skip.

In comfort mode, throttle tip-in is a little slow, but sport mode seemed to fix it. The engine and exhaust gets louder as you move through the higher modes, and with the pedal planted, shifts from the eight-speed sound great. The M Sport brakes are also standard and provide good feedback in both light and hard stopping.

The M40i version of the X3 starts at about $55K; this one lands at $68,520 with all of the options. I like the $3,500 premium package with the heated wheel and seats, nav, head-up display and wireless Apple CarPlay. I’d skip the Executive Package (auto high beams, parking assistant, gesture control, the digital gauge cluster and the surround view monitor) for $2,550. If you knock that and the big wheels out, this X3 moves closer to the low $60K range, which now seems acceptable. If you added one more option to this example as it’s specced, it would be over $70,000. That seems like way too much.

If you want a luxury compact SUV that is fun to drive, this should be first on your test-drive list. If you want the fastest, you’ll have to spend the extra dough for the AMG or full M version. If you don’t care about any of that, and just want to get from point A to point B in comfort and luxury, go with the Lexus.

–Jake Lingeman, road test editor

Options: Premium Package with heated steering wheel and seats, navigation, head-up display, Apple CarPlay ($3,050); Executive Package including automatic high beams, parking assistant, gesture control, dynamic digital cluster, active park assist, surround view ($2,550); 21-inch wheels ($1,900); Driving Assistance Plus with active cruise control with stop and go, active drive assist ($1,700); premium audio ($875); adaptive M suspension ($700); glacier silver metallic ($550); Driving Assistance Package including blind spot warning, lane departure warning ($500); wireless charging ($500)

Base Price: $55,645

As-Tested Price: $68,520

Drivetrain: 3.0-liter turbocharged I6, eight-speed automatic, AWD

Output: 355 hp @ 5,800 rpm; 369 lb-ft @ 1,520-4,800 rpm

Curb Weight: 4,277 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 20/27/23 mpg

Pros: Good engine note, no need for the 503-hp Competition Package

Cons: Lots of road noise from the huge wheels, interior feels a little sterile

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