BMW has expanded the X3 lineup earlier this year when the Bavarian automaker came up with X3 plug-in hybrid. The 2020 BMW X3 xDrive30e is expected to go on sale sometime early next year possibly in the spring with an expected starting price of $49,545, which includes the destination charge.
The BMW X3 is a good luxury compact SUV and it has an energetic turbocharged base engine and handles well, making it fun to drive it. To add to the thrill, there are multiple high-performance variants as well. The X3 comes with good gas mileage and rides comfortably over most roads.
BMW has a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a 12-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. Power to all four wheels is transmitted through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The combined output result for the hybrid crossover is 292 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.
The xDrive30e’s price puts it right between the xDrive30i. BMW hasn’t released the official fuel economy figures for the current model, it has only stated that it will offer 20 miles of driving on pure electricity.
Taking a look at the interior of the X3 it brings plenty to the table. The cabin is built well and has appropriate materials quality which a luxury SUV requires. Both rows of seats have plenty of room for adults, and the seats are fully supportive and comfortable and cargo capacity is good for the class.
The 2019 X3 comes with few noteworthy changes. BMW has introduced the rear-wheel-drive sDrive30i trim and has introduced several new standard features, including driver drowsiness monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and traffic sign recognition which adds to its features. Available features that have been newly added include lane keep assist and front cross-traffic alert.
The X3 PHEV has one advantage over its competitors is its smart packaging, which places the battery under the rear seat, the fuel tank has been moved to sit above the rear axle. The crossover’s cargo space still measures 15.89 cubic feet (450 litres) of cargo with the rear seats up and 52.97 cu-ft (1,500 litres) with the seats folded downward. BMW said production of the new model would start latest by December, less than a month after BMW has unveiled the model earlier this year.
