2025 BMW X3 xDrive20d review

It's been quite the journey for the BMW X3. What started as a slightly awkward experiment in the early 2000sâ€"a sort of 3 Series on stilts with questionable brakes and a confused designâ€"has evolved into one of BMW's most popular models globally. The second and third generations progressively sharpened the formula, with meaningful gains in driving dynamics, cabin comfort, and styling maturity. And now, with this 2025 iteration, BMW isn't just evolving the X3. It's repositioning it.

This fourth-gen X3 is no longer content being "the driver's SUV." It wants to be the complete packageâ€"a luxury crossover that doesn't just go fast and corner well, but also understands you, talks to your phone, and flashes a light show every time you get within ten feet of it. Yes, this is the techiest X3 yet, and it wears that identity with conviction.

Design

The design evolution is subtle in profile but quite assertive in detail. While the overall proportions are more significant than beforeâ€"the new X3 is taller, wider, and longerâ€"it doesn't feel bloated. If anything, the taut surfacing and clean shoulder lines help mask its expanded footprint. From the rear, the redesigned tail-lamps abandon the previous generation's plier-like shape for sleeker, arrow-style units that look far more cohesive. The front end is dominated by BMW's now-familiar illuminated kidney grille. It glows when you approach, which might sound excessive on paper, but in person, it works rather wellâ€"especially in low light, where it adds some welcome theatre.

The adaptive LED headlamps feature the signature blue detailing once associated with BMW's Laser Light system. And here's a quick bit of triviaâ€"the Laser Light branding has quietly disappeared from BMW's catalogue, though the underlying tech continues to evolve in a similar fashion. So while you may not get to say "My car has laser beams for headlights" at dinner parties anymore, you'll still get the benefit of that crisp, high-range illumination when driving at night.

As you step into the cabin, the transformation is even more pronounced. BMW has gone all in on futuristic minimalism, but not at the cost of perceived luxury. The layout is clean and driver-focused, as always, but now more layeredâ€"both in its material choices and its light play. Ambient lighting no longer lives quietly in the background. It reacts. It pulses. It glows red when you switch on the hazard lights. It shifts to a blue-red hue in Sport mode. It warns you with flashes if you attempt to open a door into oncoming traffic, even applying subtle resistance to stop you.

This is ambient lighting with an opinion.

BMW has also introduced a new fabric mesh trim on the dashboard and door cardsâ€"a textured, layered surface that feels premium and looks contemporary. It's a refreshing shift away from the gloss wood and piano black panels we've been conditioned to expect in this segment. However, keeping it spotless in India's dusty climate might require more diligence than usual.

The tech-heavy narrative continues with BMW's new OS9 interface, spread across a wide curved display that houses both the digital cluster and the central touchscreen. It's intuitive once you find your bearings, but it does bury some commonly-used functionsâ€"like air conditioning controlsâ€"a little deeper in the menu structure than necessary. The temperature toggles remain easily accessible, but changing fan speed or switching the system on or off requires a few extra taps. That said, it's a quick system, with crisp graphics and no noticeable lag.

Tech showpieces are aplenty. The augmented reality navigation system projects turn-by-turn prompts over a live front camera feed, showing you exactly which lane to take at a junction or exit. The 360-degree camera setup can be accessed remotely via your phone and even records up to 30 seconds of footage before and after an impact while parkedâ€"handy in crowded parking lots or unpredictable street-side situations. There's a full-colour heads-up display, gesture controls, and a 'Reversing Assistant' that memorises your last 50 metres of movement and can autonomously retrace them if needed.

What's perhaps more impressive is how these features integrate seamlessly into daily driving. You're not left grappling with them. Once set up, they fade into the background, doing their job without fuss.

Comfort has taken a solid step forward too. The front seats are wide and supportive, with adjustable bolstering and now a ventilation function, which will be especially appreciated in our warmer months. The panoramic sunroof is expansive enough to flood the cabin with sunlight, and the three-zone climate control allows everyone on board to tailor their own little ecosystem. Overall, the cabin feels more plush, more isolating from the outside world, and far better specced than before.

And here's another interesting footnoteâ€"the 2025 X3 does away with run-flat tyres entirely. BMW India has moved to regular tubeless radials, a decision that's likely to be welcomed by anyone who's dealt with the stiff ride or late-night repair woes of RFTs. The result? A noticeable improvement in low-speed compliance, and a ride that feels more settled over uneven surfaces without any loss of precision.

Under the bonnet, the xDrive20d retains the familiar 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, but it's now been fine-tuned to deliver 197PS and a healthy 400Nm of torque. Those numbers may not raise eyebrows in a performance brochure, but in real-world use, this powertrain feels brisk, responsive, and incredibly refined. Whether you're trundling through traffic or cruising on the expressway, the engine remains smooth and quiet. Only at high triple-digit speeds does tyre and wind noise creep in slightly, but even then, the cabin remains impressively hushed.

The diesel's in-gear acceleration is strong and the 8-speed automatic transmission pairs beautifully with the motor's broad torque curve. There's very little hunting for the right gear. The xDrive all-wheel-drive system sends torque where it's needed, but the system's calibration ensures that the X3 still feels rear-biased in its handling. Fuel economy figures north of 16km/l in mixed driving make this one of the most efficient SUVs in its class.

As for dynamics, the new X3 hasn't lost its DNA entirely. The steering remains well-weighted and communicative. Grip levels are excellent. The adaptive suspension does a good job of balancing comfort with body control. That said, this generation does feel slightly softer, a little heavier, and less dart-like compared to the last X3. The previous car felt taut and ready to play. This one is more grown-up, more composedâ€"but not less capable. It still takes a fast corner better than most rivals in its class but with just a touch more roll and weight transfer.

Braking performance is strong, but the pedal feel is slightly over-assisted, particularly at low speeds. There's a momentary softness at the top of the pedal travel that takes some acclimatisation, especially in city traffic. It's not a deal-breaker, but it does take away from the otherwise tactile nature of the driving experience.

The X3's 48V mild-hybrid system now offers a boost function through the left paddle, adding an extra 25Nm of torque when the engine is under load. You won't always feel it kick inâ€"it's not theatrical like an EVâ€"but it's there, quietly helping out with overtakes or steep climbs.

The petrol-powered 20i variant is also available, and while we haven't driven it just yet, the performance numbers suggest it'll be the smoother, quieter choice for those with shorter commutes or a preference for high-revving engines. There's also talk of the X3 M50i making its way to India, and with its 3.0-litre straight-six and sub-five-second 0â€"100 sprint, that will certainly cater to the more performance-inclined. But for now, the diesel remains the more practical, long-legged companion.

In conclusion, the 2025 BMW X3 xDrive20d is a well-judged update. It brings in a wealth of new-age tech, redefines its interior experience, and doesn't lose sight of its core strengths. If you already own the previous-gen X3 and value driving purity above all else, this may feel like a lateral step. But for everyone elseâ€"for those entering this segment, or looking to replace an older luxury SUVâ€"the new X3 hits the sweet spot. It's modern, refined, and finally feels as sophisticated on the inside as the badge on the outside suggests.

The teched-up X3 is no longer playing catch-up. It's set its own pace now.