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.

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Reprogramming individual buttons
1. Switch on the ignition. 2. Press and hold the interior rearview mirror button to be programmed. 3. As soon as the interior rearview mirror LED starts flashing slowly, hold the hand-held tra ...

Modern cockpit with clear orientation to the driver
The cockpit is inclined towards the driver at an angle of approximately 7° and the asymmetrically designed center console likewise emphasizes this clear orientation to the driver. The horizontal l ...

Roadside Assistance
At a glance BMW Roadside Assistance* can be contacted if assistance is needed in the event of a breakdown. Roadside Assistance* can also be contacted via a Check Control message. Starting Roads ...