Sunday Drive: BMW X3 xDrive30e
Sunday, 6 June 2021
BMW X3 XDRIVE30e
Base price: $107,700
Powertrain and economy: 2.0-litre turbo-petrol inline-four, 215kW/420Nm (combined), 8-speed automatic, AWD, combined economy 2.8L/100km, CO2 64g/km (source: RightCar)
Vital statistics: 4708mm long, 1981mm wide, 1676mm high, 2864mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 450 litres, 20-inch alloy wheels.
Safety: Five-stars (ANCAP, tested 2017, for xDrive20d and xDrive30i models)
At a glance: It’s a hybrid BMW medium SUV, offering decent performance, fantastically low fuel usage and typical BMW levels of quality.
- Who should consider it: Those wanting the best of electrification with the reassurance of a fuel tank, wrapped up in a family-friendly SUV.
We’ve had the current BMW X3 for a few years now, and BMW actually told us that the facelifted model isn’t that far away at all. Could that mean this X3 xDrive30e could be had for a bit less than asking price, as dealers look to shift stock before the new version arrives? Let’s find out if you should hunt a bargain.
ON THE OUTSIDE
The X3 xDrive30e looks like an X3. Shocking, I know, but that might be important for those not wanting an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle that shouts about it. In fact, about the only thing that gives the 30e’s extra electricals away is the second charge flap.
**READ MORE:
* Road test review: Peugeot 3008 GT HYBRID4
* Quick Charge 20/02/21: this week in EV news
* BMW set to introduce plug-in X3
**
Otherwise, this is a regular old X3, complete with LED lights front and rear, a pleasingly cohesive design largely shared with the X5, with angry eyes flanking the chunky grille, an automatic tailgate, twin exhausts poking out of the rear bumper, and, in the 30e’s case, special wheels.
ON THE INSIDE
As mentioned, the X3 is about to get an update, which is expected to consist of a few small exterior tweaks alongside a handful of interior changes. Though at the moment it’s hard to call the 30e ‘dated’, as it gets a fully digital dash, touch-based infotainment screen, a head-up display, and a parking assistant.
Wireless charging and wireless phone mirroring are also included.
Seats are set high for better vision and support well, being sportier variants than usual, but they don’t sacrifice much in the way of comfort.
The head-up display projects onto the windscreen and is beautifully clear, offering readouts of speed, media and directions.
Room in the rear is good and adjustable rear vents, cupholders and lighting means passengers won’t feel shortchanged by missing out on shotgun.
Unfortunately, like a lot of PHEVs, boot space suffers in the X3 30e – dropping from 550L in conventionally powered models to 450L for the plug-in hybrid. That’s due to the added battery.
UNDER THE BONNET
This is where the 30e changes the most compared to other X3 models. The plug-in hybrid system comprises a 2.0-litre petrol engine, eight-speed automatic transmission and a single electric motor hiding in said transmission.
The motor generates 80kW, which grunty enough to power the X3 alone up to speeds of 135kmh. Combined with the petrol engine, output reaches a maximum of 215kW/420Nm, which can send the SUV to 100kmh in 6.1 seconds.
Up to 55km of electric range is claimed while fuel consumption is a teeny 2.1L/100km.
If that all sounds familiar, it’s because this is the same system as in the 330e plug-in hybrid sedan, albeit with added all-wheel drive goodness.
ON THE ROAD
Put simply, the X3 xDrive30e is a superb drive. The electric torque isn’t modulated for smoother take-offs – if you dump the throttle, the electric motor spins as hard as it can, making for fast launches. That 6.1-second 0-100kmh claim feels pretty accurate from the driver’s seat.
In electric-only mode, the thing is as silent as can be. As mentioned, the electric motor can drive the SUV at speeds of more than 100kmh without any combustion interference, so quiet cruising is possible at all legal speeds.
The claimed range of 55km is perhaps a bit overzealous, you’re looking at closer to 50km in real world driving. Not a massive difference, and it’s possible you could fill the gap by driving more conservatively and without air-conditioning and such. However, remember that the average Kiwi drives around 30km per day, meaning even 50km is plenty for daily activities.
When the engine does chime in, it feels interestingly agricultural, although that's mainly due to the differences in how the power sources work. It’s really quite a smooth lump, it just isn’t electric smooth.
But when the two powerplants work together, the combined output is on par with a lot of hot hatches. Granted, those hatches aren’t moving nearly as much weight, but the X3 30e can still boogie when you want it to.
The eight-speed transmission is as fluid as ever, with the option of manual control available should you want to paddle the cogs yourself.
There is a bit of body roll through the corners, but nothing out of the ordinary for a two-tonne-plus SUV.
VERDICT
The X3 xDrive30e is a great example of a do-it-all SUV. It has enough space for a standard nuclear family, plenty of power, and green credentials. It’s also not that much more expensive than the combustion-powered X3 xDrive30i. And, as it’s about to get updated, there’s a chance you could get it cheap.
Other cars you could consider in the premium plug-in hybrid segment include the Peugeot 3008 GT Hybrid4 ($89,990) and the Volvo XC40 Recharge ($84,990). The Pug offers a lot of kit for the price as well as all-wheel drive, while the Swede represents the cheaper option.
For a fully electric, yet considerably smaller option, consider the Mercedes-Benz EQA, which starts at $85,500 in 250 form.
Otherwise, there’s the Kia Niro PHEV and forthcoming Ford Escape PHEV, both starting at the $60k mark, and the Tesla Model Y, though that’s a year or two away yet and we haven’t seen final pricing.