The BMW X3 xDrive30 M Sport Pro may have one of the longest names in the segment, but it also happens to be an important car in BMW India’s line-up right now. Sitting at the heart of the midsize luxury SUV segment, the X3 has quietly become one of BMW’s sales performers. Look at BMW India’s 2025 numbers, and it’s clear the brand has closed the gap to its German rivals significantly, and products like the X3 have played a role in that rise.
With this new generation and the introduction of the xDrive30 M Sport Pro variant, BMW isn’t just refreshing a successful product. It’s sharpening it. We had already experienced other versions of the new X3 earlier, but this one promised something extra, more performance, more capability, and a stronger emotional pull. To find out how far BMW has pushed the envelope, we headed to Lonavla and deep into the Western Ghats, where smooth mountain roads met dry riverbeds and proper off-road trails. The first thing you notice about the new BMW X3 is that it no longer plays it safe. Bold is the word that best describes this design. Right up front, the illuminated kidney grille dominates the face, and while it may still divide opinion, there’s no denying the drama it adds, especially at night. Unlock the car in a dimly lit parking lot, and the soft glow from the grille instantly announces its presence. It’s theatrical, yes, but also unmistakably BMW.
Beyond the grille, there’s a lot to admire. The LED headlamps are sharp and modern, the bumper sculpting is aggressive without being messy, and the bonnet features strong creases that give the X3 a muscular, purposeful look. Move to the side, and you’ll still recognise the familiar X3 silhouette, but the surfacing is tighter and more defined. At the rear, sharp lines across the tailgate and bumper give the SUV a planted, athletic stance. BMW’s current design language is bold across the portfolio, and the X3 fits right in. The kidneys may take some time to grow on you, but once they do, they add character rather than excess.
BMW offers the X3 in a wide range of colours, including Brooklyn Grey, Dune Grey, Tanzanite Blue, Black Sapphire and Alpine White. Personally, Alpine White paired with the M Sport Pro package feels like the sweet spot, timeless, sporty and distinctly BMW. The sporty rear spoiler only reinforces that impression. This is an X3 that looks like it means business.
Before stepping inside, it’s important to talk about why BMW chose Lonavla as the backdrop for this drive. The region offers smooth tarmac through the Western Ghats, but BMW had something else planned for us, a proper off-road trail. And not the gentle kind.
We were handed the keys and sent off on a one-hour, ten-minute off-road route that included dry riverbeds, steep inclines, deep ruts and articulation tests. These are trails we’ve tackled before in proper body-on-frame 4×4 SUVs, so scepticism was natural. This is a luxury SUV, after all.
From the moment we set off, the X3 felt comfortable tackling terrain that most owners would never even consider. Wheelspin was minimal, articulation was impressive, and even when one wheel was in the air, the xDrive system calmly redistributed torque to the wheels with traction. There was no drama, no hesitation, just steady, confident progress.
What stood out most was how effortless it felt. You rarely had to prod the throttle. Steep inclines were dispatched with ease, and the extra torque on tap made a noticeable difference. BMW clearly has a lot of confidence in the X3’s capability, and rightly so.
Under the hood of the X3 xDrive30 M Sport Pro is BMW’s updated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, internally known as the B48. In this iteration, it benefits from mild-hybrid assistance and produces 255 bhp along with a strong 40.78 kgm of torque.
On the road, those numbers translate into a noticeably stronger and more responsive driving experience. Acceleration is brisk, overtakes are effortless, and the engine feels eager across the rev range. Put your foot down from a standstill or a rolling speed, and you can genuinely feel the performance pushing you back into the seat.
BMW claims a 0–100 kph sprint time of 6.3 seconds, and it feels every bit as quick. Select Sport mode and the difference is immediate — sharper throttle response, more urgency from the drivetrain, and a tighter overall feel. Yet, despite the added performance, refinement remains excellent. The engine stays smooth and quiet, with very little noise making its way into the cabin.
Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox that continues to be one of the best in the business. Shifts are smooth, quick and intuitive. There’s also a clever boost mode, where the gearbox holds onto gears longer, and a visual boost indicator flashes on the instrument cluster, delivering that extra burst of performance when you need it.
BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system deserves special mention. During our off-road drive, it proved just how intelligent and effective it is. Power is constantly shuffled between wheels depending on grip levels, and when one wheel loses contact with the ground, torque is instantly sent to the wheels that can use it best.
The result is a system that feels seamless rather than intrusive. You’re never caught in a sticky situation, never left scrambling for traction. It just works, quietly and efficiently. For a luxury SUV that isn’t designed as a hardcore off-roader, the X3’s performance on challenging terrain was genuinely impressive. And all this happens while you’re seated in a cabin that feels anything but rugged.
BMW’s interiors have taken a noticeable step forward, and the X3 xDrive30 M Sport Pro benefits greatly from that evolution. The first thing you notice when you settle into the driver’s seat is just how comfortable it is. The seats are broader, more supportive and hold you firmly in place thanks to larger side bolsters.
BMW made a point of highlighting that these seats are wider than those in the regular X3, and it shows. They strike an excellent balance between comfort and sportiness, supportive during spirited driving, yet relaxed enough for long journeys. It’s a meaningful upgrade over the standard seats. Material quality is high throughout the cabin, and everything feels solidly put together. You’re cocooned in a space that feels premium, purposeful and unmistakably BMW.
Ride and handling have always been the X3’s strongest suits, and this new iteration builds on that reputation. Part of the credit goes to the wheel and tyre setup. The X3 rides on 20-inch M Light Alloy wheels, with an asymmetric tyre setup — 255/45 R20 at the front and wider 285/40 R20 tyres at the rear.
This setup pays dividends. The X3 feels incredibly planted through corners, with excellent grip and stability. Despite being an SUV, it doesn’t feel tall or unwieldy when you push it through twisty roads. Turn-in is sharp, body control is impressive, and the chassis feels balanced and confidence-inspiring.
Ride comfort, surprisingly, is also very good. The suspension absorbs bumps and broken surfaces well, even though deeper potholes can send a jolt through the cabin. Still, for a car with this level of handling prowess, the ride quality is commendable. Even during extended off-road driving, the cabin remained composed, and the supportive seats ensured you weren’t thrown around as the terrain got rough.
The BMW X3 comes well-equipped, ticking most of the boxes you’d expect in this segment. The infotainment screen is crisp and vibrant, as is the digital instrument cluster. Both displays are easy to read and respond quickly to inputs.
That said, BMW’s UI/UX could use a bit of refinement. Some of the menu layouts and icons feel slightly dated and don’t quite match the modern, high-tech feel of the rest of the cabin. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it stands out in an otherwise polished package.
Where BMW really nails it is ambient lighting. Integrated seamlessly into the dashboard and door panels, the lighting creates a sophisticated glow rather than an over-the-top light show. It looks especially good at night and adds to the premium feel of the cabin.
The BMW X3 xDrive30 M Sport Pro represents a meaningful evolution of an already successful formula. It builds on the X3’s strengths, driving dynamics, refinement and everyday usability, while adding more performance and capability into the mix.
This is the X3 for buyers who want a little extra. Extra power, extra confidence, extra engagement. It delivers strong performance without becoming intimidating or impractical, making it something you can enjoy every single day.
At the end of the day, if you’re buying a luxury German SUV, you expect a certain level of performance, and this X3 delivers exactly that. Not over-the-top, not excessive, but accessible, usable and immensely satisfying. BMW hasn’t reinvented the X3.
It’s simply made a very good thing even better.
