BMW’s Made Some Ballsy Changes to Its Most Popular Car

The 2025 BMW X3 is getting a mixed reception from BMW loyalists. The most compelling version also isn’t coming to the US.

2025 BMW X3 in blue driving on road in front of rock canyon wallsBMW

BMW unveiled a significant update to its best-selling global model, the X3, which initially launched in 2004, marking what’ll now be the 4th generation of the luxury mid-sized SUV in 20 years.

The changes in the words of BMW are all part of a new design language that’s already receiving a wildly mixed reception among the BMW faithful.

Stateside, only two iterations of the BMW X3 will be available: the standard xDrive30 and the premium M50 xDrive. In case you missed the news, there’s no longer an “i” in the name since BMW announced it would exclusively reserve the letter for its electric vehicles moving forward.

Here’s everything you need to know about them.

THE EXTERIOR: BOLD AND BLOCKY

2025 BMW X3 in blue shown head on driving down the road highlighting the new models grill which features both vertical and diagonal lines for the first time.
The new grill on the 2025 BMW X3 xDrive30 is the aesthetic change even casual car watchers are most likely to notice.
BMW

Like the 2024 X1, the 2025 BMW X3 is blockier than ever, with strong creases and edges running down the sides and across the rear hatch. It’s also slightly longer, wider and lower by roughly an inch across all three dimensions versus the outgoing model. The rear exhaust pipes are also now hidden in the baseline xDrive30. 

But the new kidney grille will likely stand out most bystanders, at least on the baseline xDrive30.

 The new design combines vertical and diagonal bars in a way that seems visually chaotic, at least at first glance. Going all in on the diagonal lines feels like it would have looked cleaner, but perhaps that was a bridge too far from the past. 

Interestingly enough, the more expensive M50 variant grill skips the diagonal line addition in favor of a snaking pattern of horizontal bars shielded by what looks to be a plastic plate.

Overall, it’s also easy to spot the influence of the brand’s all-electric iX lurking in various exterior details, which, while generally acknowledged as being a competent electric SUV, has also been notably lampooned in headlines as “ugly,” “dull” and “weird.”

THE INTERIOR: LIGHTING GALORE

Interior view of the steering wheel, dash and door side panels of the 2025 BMW X3 highlighting the cars bold interior light strips and big navigation screen.
Extensive cabin lighting, a larger central display and a flat bottomed steering wheel are the most noticeable interior changes on the 2025 BMW X3. Also, where did the air vents go?

The new lighting system is impossible to ignore, for better or worse. Strips of LEDs now circle various sections of the center console, including passenger and driver door latches, lock buttons, and mirror controls. The cabin air vents also look to be banished out of site. 

As with other newer BMWs, a massive dual-screen curved display replaces both the gauge cluster and central infotainment panel, as well as a few physical controls, much to almost every driver’s chagrin. 

THE TECH: LOTS OF NEW TRICKS

A close up of the new cabin lighting elements along the 2025 BMW X3’s driver and passenger doors which warp around the door handle and set controls in a triangular shape.
New cabin lighting elements along the 2025 BMW X3’s driver and passenger doors are arguably the vehicles most unique interior feature.
BMW

One crucial physical control is sticking around in the X3. BMW states the X3 will run iDrive 9, which is different from iDrive versions and based on an Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software stack. Though the system initially debuted in the 2024 X1, what’s interesting about the X3 is that it still retains the classic physical control knob. According to INSIDEEVs, the X3 will be the only BMW to feature this configuration. 

Buyers can also opt for the Digital Premium tier, which includes a data plan and access to entertainment apps like Spotify, podcasts, news, and in-car gaming. The pack also includes upgrades to the navigation system, such as 3D maps and satellite views.

On the safety front, forward collision mitigation, lane keep assist, and blind spot detection are all included. Parking assistant features are also now standard, including a backup assistant. 

Higher-tier Parking Assistant Professional and Maneuvering Assistant packages provide the mid-sized SUV with more autonomous driving chops. In true Bond fashion, users can direct the vehicle into and out of tight spaces via the My BMW App. The packages also support storing up to 10 other custom driving maneuvers based on GPS and trajectory data, allowing the car to move up to 650 yards on its own, without or without the driver inside.

THE ENGINES: MODEST GAINS

Overhead photograph of the 2025 BMW M50 X3 engine bay.
BMW has added slightly more power and torque to both US-bound versions of the 2025 X3 while also claiming to improve efficiency. Fuel economy figures aren’t out yet though.
BMW

There’s not too much to get excited about on this front, at least while fuel economy stats remain a mystery. 

The xDrive30 features a turbocharged 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, which represent mild bumps of 7 and 37 over the previous generation X3. It’ll go from 0 – 60 mph in 6.0 seconds and boasts a top speed of 130 mph. 

The premium M50 jumps to a turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line six, producing 393 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque, representing increases of 9 and 59. The 0-60 time, however, remains unchanged at 4.4 seconds. 

Both engines also boast mild hybrid tech and a slew of redesigned components ranging from intake ports to ignition, injection, and timing systems, all aimed at increasing efficiency.

THE PHEV ISn’T COMING TO THE US

A shot of the rear corner and side of the 2025 BMW X3 in a new  Dune Grey metallic finish
A new Dune Grey metallic finish is one of the new colors available for the 2025 X3.
BMW

For now, the plug-in hybrid X3 30e xDrive, also announced alongside the X3 xDrive30 and X3 M50 in Europe, won’t be coming to the US market, which is a travesty, and somewhat odd considering that PHEV demand is growing significantly in the US.

Considering the performance gains BMW has introduced with the new X3 30e, it’s especially galling. Thanks to a significantly beefier battery pack, the car’s all-electric range is somewhere between 50 – 56 miles, dwarfing the previous’s 31-mile max. Charging speeds have also nearly tripled, allowing the battery to recharge in two hours and 15 minutes. 

These changes together make the new 2025 X3 30e feel like an ideal compromise for mid-sized SUV buyers hoping to drive electrically locally while still having the flexibility of a traditional gas-powered engine for longer road trips.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The 2025 X3 shown in bright blue parked in profile view on a large piece of asphalt with a vast view of mountains and a valley in the background.
The 2025 X3 will start at $49,500.
BMW

US versions of the 2025 BMW X3 will be made at the company’s Spartanburg, South Carolina plant, with models hitting dealerships sometime this fall.

The 2025 BMW X3 30 will have a base MSRP of $49,500. The 2025 BMW X3 M50 will start at $64,100. Both will also feature a $1,175 destination and handling charge.