2011 BMW X3 Review by Mike Hanley

The BMW X3 may have been a pioneer among compact luxury crossovers, but a number of competitors — including the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class and Volvo XC60 — have entered the fray since its debut as a 2004 model. Now, with the second-generation X3, BMW has new metal to take them on.

The 2011 BMW X3 is still the small luxury crossover of choice for driving enthusiasts, but its substantially more forgiving suspension tuning should make the new version far more appealing.

I tested the base xDrive28i, which starts at $36,750; with options, our test car's sticker price was $43,875. For a side-by-side comparison with the competitors mentioned above, click here.

See also:

USB audio interface/mobile phone audio interface
At a glance It is possible to connect external audio devices. They can be operated via iDrive. The sound is output on the vehicle loudspeakers Connectors for external devices ▷ Connection ...

Braking safely
Your vehicle is equipped with ABS as a standard feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most effective way of braking in situations when this is necessary. The vehicle maintains steering respo ...

Notes
▷ Do not cover lower screen edge, since this is where the sensors and the infrared interface are installed. ▷ When loading the rear seats and adjusting the backrest of the front sea ...