Smooth acceleration, effortless long hauls: Why the BMW X3 30 xDrive keeps topping sales charts [Test drive]

The X3 series is BMW's best-selling SUV. With cumulative global sales of 3.5 million units, it has established itself as a dominant force in the premium midsize SUV segment. In South Korea, the model sold 3,408 units through May this year — the highest figure among BMW's entire SUV lineup.

Among the variants, the BMW X3 30 xDrive — which went on sale in South Korea last year — is a versatile model that blends driving pleasure with convenient semi-autonomous driving. Its mild hybrid system and more powerful engine deliver brisk acceleration while significantly reducing the tedious and demanding aspects of driving.

On June 5, this reporter drove the BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport Package Pro on a roughly 500-kilometer round trip from Seoul to the Andong area of North Gyeongsang Province. The outbound leg was spent pushing the accelerator to experience BMW's signature driving feel, while the return journey put the semi-autonomous "Driving Assistant Professional" system through its paces for convenience and safety.

The most striking aspect is the performance upgrade over the X3 20 xDrive. Switching to Sport mode stiffens the suspension, and despite the SUV's high ride height, the body stays composed and stable. The exhaust note grows noticeably louder. Shifting the gear selector to "S" sharpens acceleration further — the change is pronounced enough to wake a dozing passenger every time the drive mode is toggled.

The vehicle is powered by a BMW TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 258 horsepower and 40.8 kilogram-meters of torque, sprinting from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 6.3 seconds. A 48-volt mild hybrid system adds up to 11 horsepower, boosting acceleration while keeping fuel efficiency on par with the X3 20 xDrive at 10.9 kilometers per liter.

While the enhanced performance delivers driving excitement, the driver assistance systems take the edge off long-distance fatigue. The X3 30 xDrive M Sport Package Pro comes standard with both Driving Assistant Professional and Parking Assistant Plus.

A quick press of the steering wheel button activated Active Cruise Control. True to BMW form, the system accelerated without hesitation when a gap opened ahead and handled stop-and-go traffic smoothly while maintaining a safe following distance. The system also kept the driver alert in multiple ways: releasing the steering wheel triggered warnings on both the head-up display and instrument cluster, and when the car ahead braked sharply, the X3 slowed while red ambient lighting flared across the cockpit.

Some shortcomings emerged in urban driving, however. On congested roads where lane markings frequently disappeared, the system occasionally made unintended lane changes. In heavy traffic it struggled to change lanes on its own, requiring driver intervention. It was also inconvenient that pressing the brake immediately disengaged the system, and that steering input while Active Cruise Control was active felt awkward.

Those limitations made the semi-autonomous driving improvements BMW previewed alongside the launch of the new BMW iX3 all the more anticipated. In the new iX3, a light tap on the brake keeps the cruise function active — only firm braking disengages it. The system also coordinates steering between driver and vehicle more naturally, responding smoothly to minor wheel adjustments.

Parking Assistant Plus tackled what is often the hardest challenge for novice drivers. After the vehicle passed a parking space, the display automatically suggested options — reverse or forward parking. The driver can modulate parking speed by applying the brake during the autonomous maneuver. The initial pace was faster than expected, but a few gentle brake inputs made it easy to adapt.

On the styling front, the M Sport Package Pro adds a dynamic edge to the X3's exterior. The front features BMW's kidney grille paired with "BMW Iconic Glow" grille-outline lighting that reinforces the brand identity. Inside and out, sporty character comes through 20-inch M double-spoke wheels, an M leather steering wheel and M seat belts.

작아서 더 재밌는 고성능 해치백 [시승기-BMW M135 xDrive]

https://biz.heraldcorp.com/article/10759829