Now in its fourth generation, the BMW X3 enters 2025 with a renewed sense of purpose, particularly in high-performance M50 xDrive guise. The latest version combines new exterior styling with a heavily reworked chassis and a more powerful mild-hybrid turbo inline-six under the bonnet. So now it’s even quicker but more efficient.
With a long list of enhancements in both the luxury and performance departments, the new M50 looks to further entrench the X3 as one of the most dynamic SUVs in its class. BMW has also expanded the standard spec, adding more sustainable interior materials, while introducing its latest Operating System 9 interface. Is it any good? Let’s take a look.
2025 BMW X3 M50: Specifications
Engine: 3.0-litre turbo inline-six mild-hybrid
Output: 293kW@5200-6250rpm / 570Nm@1900-4800rpm
Gearbox: Eight-speed auto
Drive type: Four-wheel drive
Wheels: F: 21×9.0, R: 21×10.5, 285/35
ANCAP: Five stars
Kerb weight: 1980kg
Power-to-weight: 6.75:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 8.2L/100km
Our consumption: 9.3L/100kmFuel tank/Fuel type: 65L/98 RON
Power efficiency: 35.73kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 2.15 seconds*
0-100km/h: 4.45 seconds*
0-200km/h: 16.30 seconds*
60-110km/h: 3.11 seconds*
1/4 mile: 12.77 seconds at 179.8km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.931g*
100-0km/h braking: 37.41m in 3.12s*
Max deceleration: -1.288g*
Starting price: $128,900
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2025 BMW X3 M50: How much does it cost?
Just the single M50 variant is available at the moment, with no ‘Core’ option or upper-spec version. And prices start from $128,900 (excluding on-road costs). That’s up from $126,800 for the 2023 LCI model, but, the M40i was available from as low as $99,900 for basically the same package in 2019. The 2021 model started from $113,471.
So as you can see, BMW Australia has slowly crept the price up and up over the past five or six years. But, that is in line with what others are doing as well. It doesn’t make it right, but there is some comfort in knowing this is not an isolated case.
2025 BMW X3 M50: Interior & packaging
Inside is a fresh, high-tech cabin that blends performance cues with premium comfort. A new flat-bottomed M steering wheel with a very thick rim, M seat belts, and special ambient lighting give it a sporty feel, while the latest curved screen stretches across the dash incorporating a 14.9-inch infotainment section seamlessly blending into a 12.3-inch digital cluster. It’s all running BMW’s latest OS 9 with QuickSelect for more intuitive control without burying functions in endless sub-menus.
BMW has retained the memory function for the screen, which is great. So, for example, if you’re browsing radio stations and then want to change a vehicle setting, when you go back to media it will automatically go back to where you were before with radio stations. It’ll do the same for vehicle settings, jumping back to the same menu as before. That reduces time spent digging and swiping around on the screen.
However, the climate controls are a bit too complex in our opinion. It would be nicer to have physical controls, easily accessible on the dash. Instead you have to swipe and prod around on the screen. The vent area control is also overly complex in our view.
The digital gauge cluster isn’t as technical and doesn’t portray the same level of craftsmanship as classic dials and mechanically-moving pieces, but this seems to be what buyers want these days. And in that regard, this should go down well for those types of buyers. For old-school fans, the lack of needles and moving parts can make it feel less like a car and more like a transport capsule.
Material quality feels good in the important areas, particularly the Veganza trim, which not only looks and feels upscale but also aligns with BMW’s sustainability push by reducing CO2 emissions during production. Heated and ventilated front seats are now standard, along with seat heating in the rear outer positions.
Those in the back also benefit from rear side sunshades and generous headroom and legroom thanks to the slightly longer and wider dimensions over the outgoing model (same CLAR platform, but 42mm longer and 23mm wider). Rear climate control continues as standard.
Boot space has increased. You get 570 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats up, expanding to 1700 litres when folded flat (up from 550L/1600L). That’s plenty of room for weekend getaways or the family’s gear, and the 40:20:40 split-folding seat arrangement continues. But there are no longer pull-tabs on the wall to flip down the seats, and the storage rail system with moveable anchors is also gone.
A standout feature is the 750-Watt, 15-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, which brings concert-like clarity to the cabin. Combined with acoustic windows, the X3 M50 is more refined at highway speeds than before, even with the standard 21-inch M wheels wrapped in thin 255/40 front and 285/35 rear tyres (runflats).
2025 BMW X3 M50: Powertrain & handling
The biggest mechanical shift for 2025 is under the bonnet. BMW’s latest 3.0-litre turbo inline-six now features 48V mild-hybrid tech and produces 293kW and 580Nm. That comfortably outpaces the previous M40i in both acceleration and output (285kW/500Nm). Matched with the quick-shifting eight-speed Steptronic Sport auto, the M50 clocks the 0–100km/h sprint in a claimed 4.6 seconds, down from 4.8 seconds before.
During our Vbox testing on a private road, we clocked 0-100km/h in just 4.45 seconds, 0-200km/h in 16.30 seconds, and the quarter mile in 12.77 seconds at 179.8km/h. These are some very impressive numbers, especially for a mid-size premium SUV.
The mild-hybrid system adds a layer of efficiency, particularly in stop-start traffic, and helps smooth out engine response at lower revs. But it’s the in-gear shove that really impresses. It is instant, muscular, and accompanied by a confident howl from the quad exhausts. There is a fake engine sound technology in here but, fortunately, it can be switched off.
Adaptive M suspension is standard, offering a good balance between body control and ride comfort. Whether you’re carving through a set of sweeping bends or tackling a long highway cruise, the X3 M50 feels composed and planted, yet comfortable and smooth. It seems like BMW has changed its suspension tune philosophy in recent years, as the ride in this is much nicer than the stiff previous model (we’ve noticed this in a number of late-model BMWs).
BMW has made tweaks to the front axle geometry for better turn-in precision, and increased the rear track width to enhance stability mid-corner. It feels solid on the road, and offers pretty much sportscar-like dedication and grip, even when pushing seriously hard. It’ll even kick the tail out sideways if provoked.
Steering feel is direct, and while it leans more toward clinical precision than old-school feedback, it’s well-matched to the chassis. The M Sport brakes, complete with red calipers, offer excellent bite and confidence under hard braking, even with the added weight of the new model (1980kg kerb now, from 1910kg in the previous model).
2025 BMW X3 M50: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Powerful and refined 3.0L turbo inline-6: This is a glorious engine – BMW, please never stop making a sweet inline-6 like this.
- Adaptive suspension: It blends sporty handling with ride comfort superbly. This is no longer the super-rigid SUV it once was.
- High-spec cabin: Ventilated seats, panoramic roof and premium audio, side sunblinds, 15-speaker audio, wireless charging… it’s packed with features.
- Handling and xDrive all-wheel-drive: This offers confident year-round grip, and brings proper ‘BMW’ levels of dynamics and engagement. It’s a driver’s car, no doubt about it.
2025 BMW X3 M50: Key considerations before you buy
- High price: The price has jumped up quite a bit in recent years, from around $110k to around $129k.
- Mild-hybrid system adds complexity and weight: It does improve efficiency though, dropping from 8.9L/100km to 8.2L/100km.
- Design: It’s a subjective thing but this front end is not nice to look at in our opinion. Especially compared with BMW’s decades-long heritage of making clean and handsome designs.
2025 BMW X3 M50: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
- Price
- Quality look & feel
- Interior tech
- Powertrain performance
- Ride & handling
- X-factor (does it stand out in its class?)
Final word
The 2025 BMW X3 M50 xDrive evolves into a more mature and capable performance SUV, without losing the sharpness that made its predecessor so enjoyable. It’s quicker, more efficient, better equipped, and more comfortable. On the down sides, it is heaps more expensive, heavier, and doesn’t look as nice in our opinion. Overall a superb high-performance SUV by today’s market standards.
