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:

    The concept
    Pressing the Start/Stop button switches the ignition on or off and starts the engine. Automatic transmission: the engine starts if the brake is depressed when the Start/Stop button is pre ...

    Storage compartment
    A storage compartment is located under the armrest between the front seats and, depending on the vehicle's equipment, also a cover for the mobile phone cradle or the snap-in adapter. Details on ...

    Adjusting the volume
    Turn the knob until the desired volume is selected. The setting is stored for the remote control currently in use. The vehicle automatically adjusts the volume of the microphone on the telephon ...