The brand-new BMW X3, with the internal code name G45, has been seen on SA roads since late 2024, but BMW South Africa chose to delay the press launch until February 2025 for reasons unknown to them.
The G45 is the fourth generation X3, and some versions will be built at BMW’s Rosslyn plant, north of Pretoria, where the third-gen X3 was also built. A pre-drive tour of the factory was fascinating, the production was largely performed by robots in an environment that can only be described as clinically spotless. Marrying the body and drivetrain is completed by a combination of robot and human effort, while the interior is largely assembled by hand. Given that almost no X3 will roll off the production line the same as another in terms of final specification, we witnessed a miracle of logistics with parts arriving at the assembly stations with military precision so that there are no hold-ups. Given that there are about 6,000 components in each X3, that is some organisation.
Interestingly, the Rosslyn factory was the first BMW facility outside Germany and it has been in operation for just over 50 years. The investment has been enormous and is a testament to the confidence BMW Germany has in its oldest satellite facility.
In reality, the new X3 is an evolution of the X3 theme, rather than a revolution, and it is wider, lower and longer. Whether you like the new styling, in particular the front-end treatment, is up to you. Personally, I find it a retrograde step, especially when viewed alongside the previous generation X3 and I’m not quite sure where BMW is going with its grill design across its whole range of models but, given that the X3 is BMW’s most popular model – one out of every four BMWs sold is an X3 – it is clear that BMW is confident it is on the right path in terms of styling.
Of course, styling is merely the surface glitter and what it conceals remains an impressive mechanical specification. In South Africa, there will be three drivetrain options; the X3 20d xDrive four-cylinder turbodiesel, the X3 30e xDrive, combining a two-litre turbo petrol engine and plug-in hybrid electric power unit and the range-topping M50, featuring a three-litre inline six-cylinder turbo petrol engine. Both the 20d and 30e models are available in M-Sport trim as well as basic trim options.
Unless you really feel that you need the power of the 280kW/580Nm M50, there is nothing in the way that the 20d performs that suggests it is the poor relation of the line-up. With 145kW and 400Nm of torque, driving through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, performance is more than adequate, while the ride is noticeably more supple and forgiving than the tautly-sprung M50.
Both the M-Sport versions of the 20d and 30e feature larger wheels with lower-profile tyres and slightly firmer suspension settings, which will affect the ride quality, although not to a great extent.
The 30e sits somewhere in the middle of both power and torque outputs and ride qualities, the combined four-cylinder turbo engine and electric batteries/motors giving a combined 220kW and 450Nm. BMW claims a fuel consumption figure of 1.1L/100km, which sounds remarkable, although BMW personnel did say that this is achievable with a fully-charged battery; a more reasonable 7.9L/km is claimed with a discharged battery.
While the petrol/electric hybrid is a fascinating engineering exercise, with much more real-world relevance than a pure electric drivetrain, especially in South Africa, the 20d is surely the most practical for everyday driving. There is really no area, other than outright performance, where it loses out significantly to the alternative models and the fact that it is the cheapest model in the range makes it a very attractive proposition.
Mind you, “cheapest” is perhaps the wrong word. By no means are the new X3s inexpensive, even if that is in line with all of the opposition from the likes of Audi’s Q5 and Mercedes-Benz’s GLC. The X3 20d starts at R1,136,417, the X3 30e at R1,260,000 and the M50 at R1,545,447. Naturally, those are prices before the extensive options catalogue has been thumbed through.
There is some indication that the price is justified when you climb into the cabin; the appearance, fit and finish can only be described as premium. BMW has long been known for its ergonomically excellent interiors of distinctive design and practicality, and the interior of the new X3 is no different, as long as you like acres of digital screen in front of you. I know that this is the modern trend and, to be honest, car interior design is all the better for it but when it comes to practicality of use, I’m not convinced, at least on first acquaintance.
What I mean is this: once properly familiar with the operating system and its voice control function, perhaps it will be possible to adjust the A/C temperature or fan speed but, until then, eyes have to be taken off the road to locate the appropriate touch button on the vast screen, and then more glances to locate the temperature or fan controls. It’s far too dangerous and surely the presence of two physical knobs for adjustment would not have detracted from the integrity of the interior design.
However, I admit that with familiarity such criticisms would be rendered largely irrelevant. The infotainment system is similarly complicated on first acquaintance and will require practice to navigate safely while driving. Elsewhere, the cabin is pleasantly trimmed using “fabrics” created from recycled materials. The dash cover is made from a broad-weave fabric which is actually a great improvement on acres of shiny plastic mouldings.
The cabin is pleasing to the eye and a relaxing space in which to sit, while wind and tyre noise are well-suppressed. It all exudes quality and there are very few jarring notes in either the design or execution.
BMW appears to have been careful to not mess with the DNA of the X3 too much, which isn’t surprising given its popularity, but the fourth generation X3 features useful developments over the outgoing model. Let’s not kid ourselves that it is anything but a road car, despite the ‘X’ nomenclature and the four-wheel drive but, taken as such, it makes a very good case for itself; spacious and stylish interiors, comfortable, excellent refinement from the power trains and road manners that are on the right side of sporty without descending into harshness.
If the price is within your budget and you can live with the exterior styling, then the 2025 X3 has a lot going for it.
For more information visit: www.bmw.co.za
