X3 in the Market

At $38,000, the X3 starts substantially higher than its nearest competitor, the Acura RDX. Save for its problematic transmission behavior, the BMW offers a more buttoned-down driving experience than the Acura. For some, that's worth every penny.

As BMW surely knows, the X3 can't sit on its pedestal forever. Land Rover's entry-level LR2 is on the way, and so are the Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60. If the X3 is to remain a desirable car, BMW will have to fix a few things so buyers need not weigh the good against the bad — because there will be plenty of very good alternatives soon.

    See also:

    Child restraint fixing system with a tether strap
    Note LATCH mounting eyes Only use the mounting eyes for the upper LATCH retaining strap to secure child restraint fixing systems; otherwise, the mounting eyes could be damaged. Mounting ...

    Switching the interior lamps on and off
    Switching the interior lamps on and off Press the button. To switch off permanently: press the button for approx. 3 seconds. To clear this setting: briefly press the button. ...

    Pinch protection
    If the closing force exceeds a specific value as a window closes, the closing action is interrupted. The window reopens slightly. Danger of pinching even with pinch protection Even with the pinc ...