BMW has just unveiled the all-new fourth-generation 2024 BMW X3, and if you like the looks of some of their latest offerings, then this one will also be right up your alley.
Because the Bavarian brand has given the all-new SUV model a fresh look inspired by some of its other siblings – we see a little iX here on its front fascia; a little iX1 on the headlights, and some hints of the XM in its side profile and tail lights.
There’s still the signature Hofmeister Kink on the D-pillar, and it’s now even more pronounced with the chrome trim underneath on the standard variants, and the cleaner body surfaces courtesy of new wheel arches sans black plastic cladding.
That said, the all-new X3 is still not exactly BMW-esque, though, especially in front. The kidney grille, now sealed up in all variants, have additional angled “slats” to highlight its angular bottom edge, and the headlights also have a new unique light signature made up of two overlapping ‘L’ shapes.
But perhaps most egregious of all, is the fact that BMW felt the need to hide the exhaust tips behind the bumper on all variants, save for the range-topping kinda-M X3 M50 variant. It’s not going to be an EV anyway, so why not show it off a little while you still can?
The all-new fourth-generation BMW X3 will be offered in four variants at launch, including the 299 hp two-litre inline-four X3 30e xDrive plug-in hybrid, now with a bigger battery for an electric range of up to 90 km, and the X3 M50 xDrive with its three-litre straight-six engine now offering increased outputs of up to 398 hp.
The base X3 20 xDrive (BMW is removing the ‘i’ from the name of its ICE vehicles) and 20d xDrive variants now also get 48V mild-hybrid assistance, raising their outputs up to 208 hp and 197 hp respectively, and these will be joined by a more powerful six-cylinder turbodiesel variant sometime next year, alongside – most likely – the full-fat X3 M too.
As Autocar reports, the eventual fully-electric alternative will be based on the Vision Neue Klasse X concept and built on an all-electric platform, completely unrelated to this car here; the fourth-generation 2024 BMW X3 instead soldiers on with the existing CLAR platform as before, albeit with significant chassis upgrades including reworked suspensions and widened rear track that BMW says has noticeably increased the model’s agility, cornering stability, and long-distance comfort.
The widened track has also contributed to a larger overall footprint on the 2024 BMW X3, now measuring 34 mm longer, and 29 mm wider than before. Paired to a 25 mm lowered roof, BMW says the new proportions gives the car “a very powerful and sporty look”.
Inside, the all-new 2024 BMW X3 has been given a brand new angular design that we haven’t really seen before on any other BMWs. There’s still the BMW Curved Display atop the dashboard, which now runs on the marque’s latest Android-based Operating System 9, and the iDrive controller is also still present on the centre console – praise be.
The main update here is the addition of the Interaction Bar for the climate controls, as we’ve seen on the BMW i7 and i5. But while BMW calls it a ‘bar’, it really is more of a frame with unique ambient lighting strips that surround not just the dashboard, but also the centre console, giving the X3’s cabin a very clean, yet futuristic look with the side air vents pushed all the way out to the door cards.
BMW says that the all-new 2024 X3 will begin production at its USA and South Africa plants soon, ahead of its market launch in Europe and USA in the fourth quarter of 2024. Introduction in other markets will happen progressively starting January 2025.
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