BMW X3
Junior steals the show |
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By Richard J. Newman
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NITS: BMW’s cup holders often seem to be a sarcastic joke, and the one in the X3’s front seat is no exception: It’s in the middle of the center console, where it directly interferes with your access to the shift lever.
G-FORCES: It’s not the fastest SUV on the street, but the X3 is quick, quiet, and precise. A 225-horsepower, six-cylinder engine powers the higher trim line, while a 184-horsepower six-cylinder drives the base model. Superb handling makes every aspect of the vehicle’s performance seem smoother.
GIZMOLOGY: Another attribute is the clean, uncluttered dashboard. Radio and climate controls aren’t as fancy as on other BMW models, and there’s no iDrive computer system (a godsend for purists!). But just about all the functionality you need is there. Cool feature: The huge optional sunroof, which stretches over both the front and rear seats thanks to a split roof panel that stacks on top of itself.
KID MARKS: The X3’s height is great for kids, and there’s plenty of room in the back seat (but no third row–after all, BMW does have its limits). A nice surprise is the activity tray embedded in the center armrest, replete with easy-access cup holders and space for small toys, cards, or snacks. The cargo area is spacious enough for the family luggage.
HOT OR NOT: Hot. Looks like a lean version of the X5, with streamlined haunches and the familiar BMW face.
ENVIROMETER: Ratings range from 4 to 9 on the EPA’s 10-point emissions/air pollution scale, depending on engine/transmission combinations. Mileage ranges from 16 mpg city to 25 mpg highway. Details: www.epa.gov
CRASH COURSE: Not yet crash-tested by the government or by private testing organizations.
PRICE POINTS: Base prices range from $30,995 to $36,995. Price as tested: $43,920.
MORE INFO: www.bmwusa.com
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Model year tested: 2004
Finally!
For several years we’ve been hearing about the sublime ride and irresistible practicality of "crossover" vehicles, most of which feature the cabin of an SUV mounted on the chassis of a car. Everything in one! we’ve been told. And in truth, they’ve been getting closer to that ideal. The Chrysler Pacifica, the Lexus RX330, the Nissan Murano, the Toyota Highlander–all offer a degree of ruggedness and spacious flexibility along with comfort approaching that of a good sedan.
But none of those crossovers has the intuitive mastery of the road that BMW’s new X3 has. Though I sat high enough to pick apples out of a tree, I felt glued to the road from the moment I first began to motor in the "sport-activity" vehicle. The manual six-speed transmission feels crisp yet well-lubricated. Acceleration is prompt and effortless. Most notably, handling is a dream. More than any SUV I’ve driven, the X3 stays firmly upright on curves and dipsy-doodles. The bane of most sport utilities–even BMW’s flagship SUV, the X5–is the top-heavy handling, which is a mere matter of physics when you raise a vehicle’s height. Yet the X3 somehow transcends this handicap to provide a thrilling experience that makes you forget you could tow a boat with this thing.
Bavarian magic? Perhaps. But a close inspection of the X3 reveals a keen bit of improvement over its big brother, the X5, itself viewed by many enthusisasts as the standard-setter among high-performance SUVs. The two vehicles are nearly identical in height and length, and the X5 is a mere 1.5 cubic feet larger inside. Yet the X3 is about 650 pounds lighter, a difference that endows the X3 with a nimble maneuverability that betters the X5’s stately muscularity. The X3 simply handles the road beautifully. The X5 will still come better appointed, with a more powerful engine and a price to match. But the new kid on the block is the one to watch.
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