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:

Displays in the instrument cluster
Indicator lamp Depending on how the vehicle is equipped, the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster indicates whether the system is switched on. Desired speed ► The marking lights up ...

PDC Park Distance Control
The concept In addition to the PDC Park Distance Control, the backup camera*, can be switched on. PDC supports you when parking. Objects that you are approaching slowly in front of or behind ...

Controls
1 Change entertainment sources 2 Volume, on/off 3 Programmable memory buttons or radio station buttons 4 Change station/track 5 Eject CD/DVD 6 CD/DVD drive 7 Change wave band ...