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:

Tire identification marks
Tire size 255/50 R 19 103 Y 255: nominal width in mm 50: aspect ratio in % R: radial tire code 19: rim diameter in inches 103: load rating, not for ZR tires Y: speed rating, before the R on ZR ...

Hot exhaust system
Hot exhaust system High temperatures are generated in the exhaust system. Do not remove the heat shields installed and never apply undercoating to them. Make sure that flammable materials, e ...

Freeze frame
1. Press the button on the remote control during playback. Freeze frame 2.  Select the symbol. 3.  Press the button. To continue playback: 1. Select the symbol. 2. Press th ...