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Rick Newman is the Chief Business Correspondent for U.S. News & World Report and a longtime car buff. He reviews automobiles here on a regular basis, as well as writing about all things vehicular. Below is his "micro-review" of the 2011 BMW X3.
What it is: A sports sedan in hiking boots.
Whats worth knowing: The X3 was an exciting new offering when BMW introduced it in 2004a crossover with the stripes of the automakers legendary 3 series sedan. The excitement has faded a bit, since all luxury carmakers now offer crossovers and SUVs. The original X3 had a long shelf life but was finally redesigned for 2011.
Who its for: The usual aspirants willing to pay up for the BMW brand, who also covet the rugged image that a crossover conveys.
Whats good: If you cant afford BMWs larger and more expensive X5, count your blessings: The X3 does nearly everything just as well, with a lighter touch and more balanced feel. True to BMWs heritage, the X3 feels crisp and precise for a higher-sitting crossover. Theres plenty of power and the upper trim line offers a turbocharged, 300-horsepower blastoff experience for speed freaks. The base price includes a more generous set of standard equipment than BMW has offered in the past, including an advanced eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive and power seats. BMWs iDrive centralized control system for radio, climate and other functions has improved over the years, and is now one of the more intuitive high-end systems. Buy-America patriots will be happy to know the X3 is assembled in South Carolina.
Whats bad: The ride is sporty but not particularly smooth, a typical BMW tradeoff. The rear seats are cramped for larger adults. And options tend to come bundled in costly packages, instead of being offered a la carte.
How it stacks up: The X3 isnt quite the standout it once was, since the competition in this class has gotten a lot tougher. Some reviewers find the Audi Q5 more stylish. The Volvo XC-60 may be more conducive to hauling kids. And the new Land Rover Evoque is the head-turner in the class, with an edgy-looking two-door coupe model that earns novelty points, among other things.
What to do if you want one: Decide what your top priority is. If its performance, then the X3 probably ought to be one of your top considerations. But if you care more about style (Audi Q5), family-friendliness (Volvo XC-60), status (Mercedes-Benz GLK or M Class) or on-board technology (Acura RDX), check out the competition. A few luxury crossovers that are similarly priced, such as the Acura MDX and Volvo XC-90, also offer a third-row seat that can be handy for families with kids.
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