When the third-generation X3 was launched in 2018, it brought so much promise. All that was really missing was a little extra driving spice. That arrived in 2020 and it has been improved yet again this year. Along with the larger kidney grilles and thinner, adaptive LED headlights comes some M specific details at the front, side and rear. There’s also one seriously powerful engine.
Anyone familiar with the X3 will be immediately at home in the M version. The 2023 BMW X3 M has the same double 12.3-inch customizable screens for the instrumentation and infotainment, it has exactly the same flexibility, the same cargo space and it’s just as easy to drive — many hot-rodded rides can be temperamental when driven normally. The key changes are the fully-articulated power M-sport bucket seats, which hug without confining, and the M logos and two red buttons on the steering wheel. More in a moment.
Now all of this basic goodness is supported by some very serious hardware beneath the bright yellow paint. In this case, it’s the 3.0-litre, inline, turbo-six. In mortal guise it makes a hefty 473 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. However, tick the Competition box and the numbers rise to 503 and 479, respectively. Mash the gas pedal and the power arrives in a neck-snapping instant — an explosion that excites all the senses.
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2023 BMW X3 M
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$95,600
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2023 BMW X3 M Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 BMW X3 M Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 BMW X3 M
2023 BMW X3 M Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 BMW X3 M Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 BMW X3 M Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 BMW X3 M Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 BMW X3 M Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 BMW X3 M Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 BMW X3 M Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 BMW X3 M Photo by Graeme Fletcher
Part of the reason for the overt alacrity, the complete lack of turbo lag aside, is the eight-speed automatic transmission. The gear spacing is such that the first six ratios key on performance; seventh and eighth bring an unflustered highway cruise and help fuel economy. What really separates this transmission from so many other eight-speed boxes is the fact it does not hunt and peck between gears. The logic is impeccable — there’s no unwanted upshift mid-corner, nor is there an annoying downshift the instant the road starts to climb.
From the box, the power is relayed to the road through an M-tweaked version of xDrive all-wheel-drive. The torque delivery is fully variably between the front and rear axles, and it works with an Active M rear differential. The key here is the majority of the power flows rearward to deliver rear-drive dynamics, but with all-wheel traction when needed — with most of the test being conducted in the wettest weather in recent memory, this aspect was very much appreciated.
2023 BMW X3 M Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 BMW X3 M Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 BMW X3 M Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 BMW X3 M Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 BMW X3 M Photo by Graeme Fletcher
What’s different is there are the three modes. In Comfort, the power is shuttled about so seamlessly the driver does not feel the shift between the axles. Sport and Sport+ progressively send more power rearward, with the latter allows the tail to be flicked out at will, and this in spite of the P265/40ZR21 rear rubber! If the driver does push too far the nanny steps in to save the day. As an aside, the electronic stability control can also be turned off. Given the overt power at play, this setting is best left for a track day.
This powertrain combination brings a run from rest to 100 kilometres an hour in just 3.8 seconds. It also has the wherewithal to turn the 80-120 km/h passing move in a very tidy 2.4 seconds. Remarkably the powertrain accomplished these numbers while returning a decent test average fuel economy of 12.9 L/100 km. No, this is not a fuel miser’s number by any stretch, but the immediacy of the gusto and the frequency with which it was used explains the average. A gentler boot would help the economy cause enormously!
The power is an important consideration; however, the handling is just as other-worldly. The adaptive M suspension and electronically-controlled dampers blend city comfort with excellent corner carving ability. As the damping forces are adjusted at each wheel there is virtually no body roll and the response to input is immediate. The damping can be adjusted in three stages. Comfort soaks up road irregularities in stride. Sport firms things and proved to be the best overall setting. Yes, it is noticeably firmer, but not to the point of being uncomfortable. Sport+ will make your fillings rattle, but it keeps the body flatter than gravy on a plate. As with the off position for the stability control, this setting really is best left for the track.
The speed-sensitive, variable ratio steering follows this lead. In every day driving, it’s nicely weighted and delivers excellent straight-line stability. As with the suspension, the driver can tweak it through the same modes. Pick Sport+ and the effort is higher, but this brings better immediacy and feedback.
2023 BMW X3 M
Needless to say, there are drive modes galore and they go well beyond the normal — everything can be tweaked to taste. For this driver, the best set up proved to be Sport for the engine, transmission and suspension, Sport+ for the steering and the exhaust in loud mode. I loved the snappy growl and burble on overrun. This combination works as well in the city as it does when flogging down a twisty road.
The bonus is these settings can be stored in the red M1 button with a more aggressive set up, including Sport+ for the xDrive, stored in M2. Now, the right setting for the tempo of the drive is never more than a button press away. All of that explained, I occasionally put everything in efficient and comfort. This made the drive more X3-like and less M-oriented, which was appreciated by my wife.
The BMW X3 M represents the best of divergent worlds. It is a full-on sport-ute with all of the things demanded, including the taller seating position so many favour. It’s also a full-on M car right down to manner in which the tail can be flicked out and pulled back into line at will. In spite of, or perhaps because of, the really wet weather the test felt like an extended roller coaster ride, which left this driver wearing an ear-to-ear smile!
Keyword: SUV Review: 2023 BMW X3 M