The BMW X3 reviews are in and they’re good according to the mostly European publications that have driven it. The all new X3 is highly anticipated as it’s moving up the latter to the new and more sophisticated CLAR chassis that is destined to underpin all of BMW’s rear wheel drive based vehicles.

Don’t expect any vaulting advances from BMW’s latest X3, the formula for this all-new version very similar to that of its predecessor. Given that BMW has sold over 1.5 million X3s over the first two editions and 14 years, that shouldn’t be a surprise, inching inter-generational progress the evolutionary hallmark of every car that’s a big hit.

In fact this third-generation X3 contains useful advances on multiple fronts, not the least of them on the aesthetic, dynamic, connected and tactile fronts. Tactile? If you order your X3 with Fineline open-pored wood, and Aluminium Rhombicle (!) interior trim highlights, you’ll discover that it’s impossible to resist touching each of these textures a second time, and many more, once you have run your fingers over them. The open-pored wood allows you to feel the contours of its grain on both dashboard and door tops, while the aluminium trim decorates the centre console, dashboard and more.

Source: Autocar (UK)

While we praised the XC60 for its comfortable suspension and safe handling, the X3 manages to mix typically sharp BMW dynamics with a surprisingly pliant ride. Gone are the days where you’d have to trade comfort for outright driving fun – the new X3 offers both. Our Portuguese test route wasn’t as rough as a British B-road, but abrupt changes in elevation and the odd pothole refused to upset the car’s balance.

Source: Auto Express (UK)

There’s no doubt the M40i would give a Macan GTS something to think about, and it’s £8k cheaper too. But in doing so it feels like the more highly strung machine. The steering is meatier and the rim itself chunkier than that fitted to our 30d test car, which detracts from the diesel’s easy-twirling fluidity.

The suspension is also less compliant, even specified on our car’s optional adaptive dampers; it doesn’t feel harsh, just more agitated. But there’s no denying the M40i’s appeal, or the brilliance with which the turbo six blends great refinement with a prodigious punch.

Source: CAR (UK): http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-rev…v-2017-review/

Much like the latest 5-series and 6-series GT, the X3 has a refined and solid feeling interior. But, the M40i is slightly different when compared to its saloon counterparts; there is still very little in the way of tyre or wind noise, yet the engine is always audible. Because the M40i has sporting pretentions, BMW has made sure you can really hear the straight-six’s growl and bark. There are even some pops and crackles when Sport driving mode is selected, which is either totally unsuitable for an 4×4 or completely hilarious depending on how seriously you take the concept of a performance SUV.

The noise isn’t quite as remarkable from the interior as it is from the outside. It starts with the same metallic timbre that the current M3 and M4 do and settles to a busy rumble. Ok, it isn’t the most pleasant noise but it is loud and aggressive enough to make the X3 M40i seem quite menacing.

Appropriately so, too; the X3 M40i’s acceleration is remarkably brisk. It finds great traction off the line and the body’s pitch is well contained, so very little forward momentum is wasted by the rear end squatting and the nose raising.

That same control is felt in the corners, too. Roll is minimal even when you enter corners at a respectable pace, which you can do as there’s impressive turn in grip and the chassis responds dutifully to some fast and direct steering.

Source: Evo (UK): http://www.evo.co.uk/bmw/x3/20153/bm…erformance-suv