2010 BMW X3 Review
Price
RM319,800
Installment
RM3,050/mth
2010 BMW X3 at a glance
BMW's famed handling, ample cabin space and good refinement point to the 2010 BMW X3 being another excellent BMW offering. But the disappointing looks, suspect interior trim and firm ride all suggest otherwise.
2010 BMW X3 quick specs
| Body Style | SUV |
| Class | Mid-size Luxury Utility |
| Assembled | - |
| Engine Range | - |
| Fuel Options | - |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
2010 BMW X3 ratings (overall rating : 3.5/5.0)
| Styling | |
| Handling | |
| Comfort | |
| Quality + Reliability | |
| Performance |
| Roominess | |
| Running Costs | |
| Value for Money | |
| Equipment | |
| Environment |
Styling
Too high an expectation will more often than not be met by disappointment, and that is the BMW X3. Being the hugely successful BMW X5's smaller brother, expectations are high, whether for styling or ability. To much disapproval, the BMW X3 turned out inelegant; its narrow-looking stance not winning much points from the back or the side. Perhaps the front view, away from the body bulk, is the best. Road presence suffers as a result, especially when put beside the BMW X5.
Handling
Good thing the handling has not turned out like the styling. For a mid-size SUV, the 2010 BMW X3 handles brilliantly, much in line with BMW's sheer driving pleasure philosophy. Body control is free of the usual SUV body roll in corners. On the roads, the 2010 BMW X3 grips strongly and steers accurately with ample feedback. The overall driving experience is so good that it becomes easy to forget that the BMW X3 is in fact an SUV. Maneuvering through city areas is easier than in the BMW X5 due to more compact dimensions.
Comfort
Cabin refinement is as good as any luxury sedans', with minimal wind and road noise at all speeds. Engine is hushed except when pushed hard. Drivers get to sit high for a good view out front, but rear view is relatively limited. The many adjustments for the steering wheel and supportive seats will allow drivers of any height to get comfortable. Tuned for better handling, the tarmac-biased suspension lies on the firm side, but ride comfort over rough surfaces is still acceptable.
Quality + Reliability
Although the 2010 BMW X3 shares a substantial amount of interior switchgear with the BMW 3-Series, some interior trim quality is suspect. To be fair, the logically-arranged dashboard mainly consists of soft-touch materials that are nicely put together. However it is the occasional cheap-looking panel made from inferior plastics that penalises the 2010 BMW X3. The shared switchgear and proven running gear should uphold BMW's reputation for reliability.
Performance
The BMW X3 2.5si comes with an in-line six-cylinder 2.5-litre engine capable of 218 bhp and 250 Nm of torque in a wide range from 2750 rpm to 4250 rpm. The 2010 BMW X3 accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, never feeling out of breath thanks to the wide peak torque range. Just like the refined engine, the six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic shifts smoothly through all gears, and contributes largely to the 2010 BMW X3's excellent on-road performance.
Roominess
Despite the 2010 BMW X3's narrow-looking stance, the front and rear rows actually enjoy abundant room. The front two delight in plenty of head- and leg-room, while the rear legroom can rival that of the larger BMW X5. The boot does even better with 480–1560 litres of loading space, which is slightly more than what the BMW X5's boot has to offer. To maximise loading capacity, the rear seat bench can 60:40 split and fold. However, the transmission area down the middle affects feetroom for the middle rear passenger.
Running Costs
Equipped with the latest direct injection technology, the 2010 BMW X3 has decent fuel economy at 9.9 km/litre. Maintenance will be costly, but typically long service intervals and proven reliability should mitigate the overall expense. Road tax costs RM 877, but insurance will be significantly more due to the high price tag. Considering BMW's brand desirability, and the lack of similar premium SUV competitors on the second-hand market, the BMW X3's depreciation should be kept in check.
Value for Money
BMW has dominated the mid-size luxury SUV segment with the X3 for a long time with no rival models from Audi or Mercedes-Benz. The comparable Land Rover Freelander 2.0 starts at RM 190K, offering good performance, especially off-road, but lags the 2010 BMW X3 in terms of handling. The Lexus RX 3.5 at RM 373K offers a larger engine for a higher price, focusing much more on comfort than handling, an area the 2010 BMW X3 is adept in.
Equipment
Some high-tech gadgets include automatic differential brake, hill descent control, park distance control and all-wheel xDrive system with variable torque distribution. 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, rain sensors, xenon headlights, automatic climate control, Sports leather steering wheel, Sports seats for front two and stereo with MP3 decoder are standard on the 2010 BMW X3. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), including anti-lock braking system, brake assist and traction control, and airbags are standard.
Environment
BMW's latest direct injection technology goes a long way in saving the environment. The 2.5-litre engine outperforms engines of comparable engine capacity with regards to fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. The 2010 BMW X3 emitting 228 grams/km of environment-harming gas is reasonable, especially considering how inefficient and polluting some other SUVs and trucks are.
Live Life Drive Verdict
Adept handling
Cabin refinement
Spacious interior
Inelegant exterior design
Disappointing interior trim
Firm ride
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