2025 BMW X3 Gets Sportier Styling, More Technology, and Improved Performance

by Carl Malek | June 18, 2024

BMW unveils the updated 2025 X3 SUV German car giant doubles down on giving the SUV more technology and performance to help give it an edge against a growing pool of rivals.

The 2025 BMW X3 is attempting to inject more technology and performance into a familiar SUV formula.

The BMW X3 has always been one of BMW’s strongest sellers with the SUV filling a void between the smaller X1 and the bigger X5 in the model lineup. The model is based on the 3-Series sedan and as a result, it has an impressive amount of performance and confidence when drivers ask it to perform in spirited driving.

However, the model is also starting to show its age in a few categories, and with its slice of the utility vehicle market undergoing tremendous amounts of evolution and change, BMW knew that it had to act to make sure that the X3 didn’t get lost in the shuffle and has made several changes for 2025 that make the updated X3 better in all the right places.

X3’s styling language bulks up

The X3’s updated styling simplifies its design and also hides some of the size increases the SUV got for the new model year.

A prominent update that the X3 gets for 2025 is revamped exterior styling with the front fascia getting a look that the company says is “more monolithic” than before with the slab-sided design featuring larger twin-kidney grilles and reworked headlights that give it a more aggressive personality. The twin-kidney grilles also get a new internal structure and new contour lighting that forms a continuous line around the entire grille BMW also focused on a minimalist theme and axed some of the flowing lines and ridges that defined the older model. The rear fascia gets updated LED taillights that also get crisper lenses and get some of their design inspiration from other BMW models. Full LED headlights with automated cornering are available as an option. The badging has also undergone a slight change too with BMW dropping the “i” from all X3s as part of its updates.

The new design also masks some of the growth that the X3 underwent for 2025 with the updated SUV being 1.3 inches longer than the outgoing model. The wheel arches are also more prominent than before and BMW says that this helps project the illusion of additional width especially when the X3 is viewed from the rear. Ten different paint colors are available for the X3 30 xDrive with nine of these colors being metallic hues. Buyers that move up to the X3 M50 xDrive will see eleven different paint choices and BMW also confirmed that an additional fifteen hues can be added through its BMW Individual service.

X3’s interior gets improved technology

The interior of the 2025 X3 gets many of the changes already seen in the 3-Series including a new infotainment system and the latest version of BMW’s Curved Display.

In addition to the updates that BMW made to the exterior of the X3, the interior also gets its own share of updates with the X3 getting access to some of the revisions that the 3-Series got. This includes the latest version of BMW’s Curved Display and the iDrive 9 infotainment system with the steering wheel also getting a new flat-bottomed design. BMW also wanted to strongly emphasize the importance of lighting in the X3’s cabin and added new contrast lighting elements in the center console and the door trim with the center console lighting forming a border around some of the controls for the X3’s features. The gear selector has also been redesigned and the dashboard has a simpler design with BMW offering a newly optional woven fabric material for the dashboard that’s made out of recycled polyester and has a knitted texture.

Space in the rear has grown slightly to 31.5 cu. ft with the seats up. This can be expanded to 67.1 cu. ft with the second-row seats folded down which is higher in both categories than the outgoing model. Buyers looking to tow with their X3 will get more capability with the 2025 model having the ability to tow up to 4,850 lbs when properly equipped which is 450 more than what you got on the 2024 model. When you combine that with how much space the X3 gets to haul gear, it transforms the SUV into a potent family vehicle. Buyers get standard heated seats and the brand confirmed that supple Extended Merino leather seats will be available as an option.

Performance gets sharper for the new model year

Performance continues to be a potent selling point for the X3 but a 48V mild-hybrid system helps improve fuel economy.

The 2025 BMW X3 will arrive with two different engines with both of these powertrains also being lifted from the 3-Series. X3 30 xDrive models get a 2.0-liter 255 hp turbocharged four-cylinder that’s paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system. This mild-hybrid setup has been making its way to other BMW models in recent years and it not only helps improve fuel economy but it also adds some extra kick to overall performance with BMW saying the 30 can make the sprint to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds.

The M50 variant swaps out the 2.0-liter for a bigger 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six that’s also paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system to produce a combined system output of 395 hp. The engine is capable of making the sprint to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds which is identical to the outgoing M40i. The M50 can hit a max speed of 155 mph with the optional performance tires but that figure drops down to 130 mph when the M50 is equipped with all-season tires.

BMW engineers also upgraded the suspension and both versions of the X3 promise to deliver improved handling behavior in high-speed driving. The structure has been reworked too and is slightly stiffer than the outgoing model. The M50 gets an adaptive M sport suspension that further enhances handling while also improving ride quality at the same time.

Pricing goes up for the new model year

Pricing for the 2025 BMW X3 gets a noticeable bump up when compared to the outgoing 2024 model.

With all the updates that the 2025 BMW X3 is bringing to buyers, it should come as no surprise that pricing has also gone up for the new model year. The base X3 30 xDrive starts at $49,500 which is slightly higher than the $48,900 BMW wanted for a 2024 xDrive30i model and it replaces the axed sDrive30i variant as the new base model. Buyers that move up into the M50 will encounter a base price of $64,100 which is higher than the X3 M40i model and is a significant bump up over the 30 xDrive.

The 2025 BMW X3 will continue to be produced in BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina assembly plant and will begin making its way to dealerships early next year. When it does, the X3 will still have to contend with rivals like the Genesis GV70 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC and it will be interesting to see if BMW’s updates will help the X3 continue to be a top player in the luxury SUV segment.