The new G45 BMW X3 made its Malaysian debut at the My BMW World event two weeks ago, and BMW Group Malaysia has now given us official pricing for the fourth-generation compact executive SUV. The sole X3 20 xDrive M Sport variant retails at RM320,800 on-the-road without insurance with a two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, or RM348,700 with the optional five-year warranty and service package included.
As such, the new car – CKD locally-assembled in Kulim, Kedah – is RM9,000 more expensive (RM10,200 with the warranty package) compared to the outgoing sDrive20i Final Edition, although you do get quite a bit of extra kit as standard.
For one, the 190 PS/310 Nm 2.0 litre B48 turbo four-cylinder engine is now more powerful and gets an added electric hit from an 18 PS/200 Nm 48-volt mild hybrid system; you also get xDrive all-wheel drive on top of the usual eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. So equipped, the new X3 gets from zero to 100 km/h a staggering four tenths of a second quicker at 7.8 seconds, on its way to an unchanged top speed of 215 km/h.
The new car also gains the Driving Assistant Plus package, which adds lane centring assist to provide true Level 2 semi-autonomous driving functionality on top of the adaptive cruise control with stop and go. Other features included in the pack include autonomous emergency braking, speed limit assist, blind spot monitoring with collision prevention, rear cross traffic alert, rear collision warning and a door opening warning.
This is on top of the usual generational leap, including a larger body. Measuring 4,755 mm long and 1,920 mm wide, the car is 34 mm longer and 29 mm wider, but the height has been reduced by 25 mm to 1,660 mm to give the SUV a sportier stance. The G45 uses an evolved version of the existing Cluster Architecture (CLAR) and it shows – the wheelbase has grown just one millimetre to 2,865 mm.
Drawing plenty of inspiration from the larger all-electric iX, the new design sports pronounced angular fender flares, clean body side surfacing, an upswept window line and chrome door mirror spars. At the front, you’ll find the latest BMW front face that incorporates triangular headlights with L-shaped daytime running lights, flanking a large double kidney grille.
The characteristic nostrils feature vertical and diagonal slats – a styling cue first seen on the new 1 Series – and for the first time in a long while, they are now fully separated, encircled by standard-fit Iconic Glow illumination. To facilitate this design, the radar sensor has been moved from the centre to the left nostril, giving the car a much cleaner look. Even the lower air intake is now split, emphasising the effect.
Elsewhere, the flush pull-up door handles clean up the side profile and aid in aerodynamics, while the rear end gets T-shaped taillights and a number plate recess pushed downwards into the bumper – the latter being a first for an X model that’s not a “coupé”. Visible tailpipes have been ditched for this generation.
Local-spec X3 20 models come with standard LED headlights with auto high beam and the M Sport package, which adds a bodykit with larger air intakes and a gloss black “lip”. They also roll on the smallest available 19-inch Y-spoke Style 1035 M alloy wheels.
Inside, the X3 is a sea change from recent BMWs, with a wraparound design bookended by triangular panels in the doors. These house the side air vents – the first time Munich has placed air-con outlets in the doors since the E39 5 Series. The curved widescreen display panel, which houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen powered by the BMW Operating System 9, is nestled on a sort of enclave on the dash.
Lighting has been taken to the next level – the Interaction Bar from the 5 and 7 Series is now broken up into strips of lighting around the aforementioned door panels, centre air vents and even the Qi wireless charger. Here, the M Sport model is differentiated through a flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel, brushed aluminium trim, power-adjustable sports seats with driver’s side memory and black headlining.
Despite the inclusion of a mild hybrid battery, the larger dimensions mean the new X3 offers 20 litres of extra boot space at 570 litres, expandable to 1,700 litres with the rear seats folded. Under the skin, the car benefits from new anti-roll bar mounts, stiffer rear axle bearings and a 45 mm wider rear track that increases stability, improving both ride and handling. Regular suspension with passive dampers come standard.
Other bits of standard kit include keyless entry, push-button start, triple-zone climate control, auto-dimming mirrors, quilted Veganza faux leather upholstery, a head-up display, a Qi wireless charger, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Parking Assistant Plus with a 360-degree camera system and remote 3D view and a hands-free powered tailgate.
One disappointment is that the audio system is a basic six-speaker, 100-watt setup, instead of the ten-speaker, 205-watt HiFi system found on the previous Final Edition model. Available colours include Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Dune Grey or Tanzanite Blue (the car seen in some of these images is in Arctic Race Blue, which is oddly not listed here), all able to be paired with a black or Espresso Brown interior.
