By: Jag Dhatt
Iโve loved the BMWs that Iโve owned, and Iโve had three. A 2003 M3 convertible, a 2010 535i, and a 2012 M5. Was tempted to buy an X5 one time, but it just wasnโt in the cards. Of all of these, my most favourite was definitely the M3 convertible. Small, fast, and absolutely gorgeous to look at. The lines and angles were a thing of beauty.
Moving forward to today and BMW has introduced some modern looks to their vehicles; while all of the vehicles still pay homage to the BMW look, some of the features are causing polarization. Take the massive kidney grille on the newer vehicles; some find them gaudy while others, like me, find them bold and appealing. Even the interior, thereโs been some great upgrades and modern touches. But is BMW maybe taking things a little too far, too fast?
I had the chance to test the new 2025 BMW X3 M50 and while I loved the drive of the car, I was really torn on the interior. I will add by saying while I found it moved away from the classy BMW I expected, others liked it a lot.
Looks โ Inside and Out:
As Iโve said before, there are fans of the new BMW design and then there are tonnes who hate it; I am of the former. One thing we can agree on is that the new design is here to stay. While some will argue that the older models had nicer lines, I still think that the X3 is a good-looking SUV, especially the M50 trim. The side profile could have been worked on a little more, but the rear view is pretty sweet. And the quad tailpipes tell you that the M50 means business.
As in previous years, the X3 continues to grow; since BMW introduced the X1 and X2, it was only natural that the X3 would grow up a little. In fact, I was told by BMW that the current generation X3 is almost the same size as an X5 from about 15 years ago, just to put things into perspective.
The one aspect of the current BMW X3 design is that itโs getting trickier to shoot. Itโs just not as photogenic as in previous generations, where you just point the camera and shoot, and the picture looks great. Not so with the newer generations and pictures donโt do justice to some of the vehicles, the X3 in point. The X3 M50 just looks better in person.
The interior design schemes are similar across many BMW models, as shown by the larger displays, brighter colours and increased use of plastics. While all of these can still make any interior look appealing, the new X3 has a little too much of it all in my opinion. Save the large displays, the rest of the interior just isnโt what youโd expect in a BMW. As an example, the side vents are controlled by a touch control that you have to slide your finger over. The same is true for the center vents in the dash.
Yes, it is a modern feel, but for things like this, I say keep it simple. Whatโs more is that with all this digitization, itโs just more difficult to fix vs having a simple, finger controlled manual system. I was told by a sales executive that perhaps these design changes are to attract female buyers. While I see how this could be true, I still think the X3 interior is becoming a little too radical for BMW.
Under the Hood & Performance:
If thereโs one thing BMW does right, itโs the engines. While I was upset when they announced that perhaps the new M5 will no longer be getting a V8, it was overjoyed when I learned it would be back. Of course, the X3 doesnโt have the V8; but it does have the amazing B58 turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine. This engine is potent, making 393 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque, thanks to it being paired with a 48-volt hybrid system. While the hybrid system only adds 17 horsepower, most of the power is felt at lower rpmโs, where itโs noticeable the most.
Firing up the X3 M50 still sounds pretty good; you get a throaty exhaust which sounds much better than the non-M50 iterations. However, I did notice that the exhaust wasnโt as loud as in previous generations. Maybe it was due to better sound deadening in the cabin, but it was noticeable, and more so when driving. In the previous model years, when in Sports mode, it felt like a symphony, complete with pops and crackles; a lot of this seems to be muted in the 2025 X3 M50.
Speaking of driving modes, thereโs a big change in this X3 M50. Thereโs now the following: Personal, Sport, Efficient, Relaxing, Expressive, Digital Art, and Silent. Not sure why the change from the ones previous but again, it could be an element thatโs here to stay. Did you notice that Sport+ is missing? From past experiences, there was always a pretty big change from Sport to Sport+ mode; in the latter mode, the vehicle would lurch forward, like Popeye getting supercharged after eating his spinach. Power delivery now feels smoother, more controlled, and slightly muted. Thatโs not to say itโs a bad thing, but it does seem that some models from various manufacturers are moving towards a bigger audience than enthusiasts.
Driving the X3 M50:
โThe Ultimate Driving Machineโ was/is BMWโs motto for many many years and thankfully, they havenโt lost that aspect of their cars. They are still an absolute pleasure to drive, regardless of trim; and the M-series are a joy.ย Yes, some models are slightly tamer, but it comes back to what the public wants and that is a soft, smooth and silky ride.
The X3 M50 stays poised regardless of roads itโs driven on or how itโs driven. At highway speeds, the M50 is strong and silent. If you need to pass another car, even at 100 km/h, push down on the pedal and the M50 will get the job done with ease. With the high-performance tires, there is some road noise, yet it is quieter than before.
The X3 M50 shines in city streets too. Steering is quick and responds very well to input. The improved suspension and active dampers have enhanced the ride, making it less jarring and twitchy as in the older models.
And I have to say that the X3 M50 probably has one of the best steering wheels; the flat bottom, complete with M-stitching feels just perfect in the hand. As in previous models, all important controls are found on the steering wheel as well.
I was able to try the various driving modes and my go-to was Personal as it seemed the most suitable for my daily needs. Sports mode definitely spiced up all aspects of the drive, but I do still miss the Sport+ mode. Even without this mode, the X3 M50 is plenty quick, and the vehicle can get to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 4.6 seconds. The B58 engine is seriously quite a gem.
When driving a nice cool vehicle like the X3 M50, the machine has to punch out a good listening experience. This X3 comes with the Harman Kardon sound system and I in my past drives, this sound system is ok, but at higher volume levels, it used to sound tinny. This current Harman Kardon sounds punchier and a lot cleaner. I would still like to have the option of a high-performance sound system, but I guess thatโs where aftermarket comes in.
Food for Thought:
The 2025 BMW X3 M50 has a lot going for it, in certain elements. The design, engine, suspension and steering rack have been improved and are worth the slightly higher sticker price. But Iโm still torn on the interior. Maybe itโs supposed to attract a different crowd than yours personally, and for that reason, it might be ok. Thereโs just a little too much contemporary elements and funkiness for my liking. And when youโre spending hours in the car, you have to like mostly everything about it.
That doesnโt mean the M50 isnโt appealing; it definitely is. When I showed my daughters side by side pictures of previous generations of the X3 to the new one, they thought the new one was way way better. So maybe Iโm just dating myself. Aside from my personal views of some interior design elements, the 2025 X3 M50 is quite the performance SUV.
