2021
BMW X3

Starts at:
$56,600
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New 2021 BMW X3
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Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • sDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicle
    Starts at
    $43,000
    25 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicle
    Starts at
    $45,000
    23 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • M40i Sports Activity Vehicle
    Starts at
    $56,600
    21 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3 2021 BMW X3

Notable features

More active safety features, Android Auto now standard
Five-seat compact luxury SUV
Choice of turbocharged engines
Rear- or all-wheel drive
Plug-in hybrid and performance X3 M versions available

The good & the bad

The good

Ride quality
Refined four-cylinder engine
Front-seat comfort
Apple CarPlay integration
Highly customizable

The bad

Backseat comfort
Numb steering
Modest cargo room
Less expensive X1 nearly as nice

Expert 2021 BMW X3 review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Cars.com Editors
Full article
our expert's take

What Is the 2021 BMW X3?

The BMW X3 is a five-seat compact luxury SUV. It’s offered with rear- or all-wheel drive, and power comes from a standard 248-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Available powertrains are a 288-hp plug-in hybrid; 382-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six; and 473-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six for the X3 M. All X3s have an eight-speed automatic transmission, and competitors include the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and Volvo XC60.

What’s New on the 2021 BMW X3?

Android Auto smartphone connectivity joins Apple CarPlay, and satellite radio is also now standard. Newly standard active safety features include blind spot warning and lane departure warning. 

What Features in the 2021 BMW X3 Are Most Important?

Standard features include:

  • Forward collision warning 
  • Low-speed automatic emergency braking
  • Navigation with a 10.25-inch touchscreen
  • Tri-zone automatic climate control
  • Power liftgate

Available features include:

  • Heated and ventilated front seats 
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Panoramic moonroof
  • Wireless device charging
  • Harman Kardon surround-sound system
  • 360-degree camera system 
  • Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability

Should I Buy the 2021 BMW X3?

The BMW X3 rides well and has a refined base four-cylinder engine, but it suffers from numb steering and modest cargo room. If you’re considering an X3, we’d recommend taking a look at BMW’s less expensive X1, too. It’s nearly as nice and has a roomy interior.

2021 BMW X3 review: Our expert's take

What Is the 2021 BMW X3?

The BMW X3 is a five-seat compact luxury SUV. It’s offered with rear- or all-wheel drive, and power comes from a standard 248-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Available powertrains are a 288-hp plug-in hybrid; 382-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six; and 473-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six for the X3 M. All X3s have an eight-speed automatic transmission, and competitors include the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and Volvo XC60.

What’s New on the 2021 BMW X3?

Android Auto smartphone connectivity joins Apple CarPlay, and satellite radio is also now standard. Newly standard active safety features include blind spot warning and lane departure warning. 

What Features in the 2021 BMW X3 Are Most Important?

Standard features include:

  • Forward collision warning 
  • Low-speed automatic emergency braking
  • Navigation with a 10.25-inch touchscreen
  • Tri-zone automatic climate control
  • Power liftgate

Available features include:

  • Heated and ventilated front seats 
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Panoramic moonroof
  • Wireless device charging
  • Harman Kardon surround-sound system
  • 360-degree camera system 
  • Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability

Should I Buy the 2021 BMW X3?

The BMW X3 rides well and has a refined base four-cylinder engine, but it suffers from numb steering and modest cargo room. If you’re considering an X3, we’d recommend taking a look at BMW’s less expensive X1, too. It’s nearly as nice and has a roomy interior.

Available cars near you

Safety review

Based on the 2021 BMW X3 base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Overall rating
5/5
Combined side rating front seat
5/5
Combined side rating rear seat
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger
5/5
Overall frontal barrier crash rating
5/5
Overall side crash rating
5/5
Rollover rating
4/5
Side barrier rating
5/5
Side barrier rating driver
5/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
17.1%
Risk of rollover
Side barrier rating driver
5/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
17.1%
Risk of rollover

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
12 years
Powertrain
4 years / 50,000 miles
Maintenance
3 years / 36,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
4 years

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
Certified Pre-Owned Elite with less than 15,000 miles; Certified Pre-Owned with less than 60,000 miles
Basic
1 year / unlimited miles from expiration of 4-year / 50,000-mile new car warranty
Dealer certification
196-point inspection

Compare similar vehicles

Select cars to compare for more detailed info.
  • 2021
    4.8
    BMW X3
    Starts at
    $43,000
    25 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-6
    Engine
    Rear-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2022
    5.0
    BMW X3 M
    Starts at
    $70,100
    15 City / 20 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded I-6
    Engine
    All-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2024
    3.5
    Audi Q5
    Starts at
    $45,300
    23 mi.
    Range
    5
    Seat capacity
    Intercooled Turbo Gas/Electric I-4
    Engine
    All-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2022
    3.6
    Mercedes-Benz GLC 300
    Starts at
    $43,850
    22 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Rear-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2020
    4.9
    BMW X3
    Starts at
    $41,950
    25 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Rear-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • Compare more options
    Use our comparison tool to add any vehicle of your choice and see a full list of specifications and features side-by-side.
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Consumer reviews

4.8 / 5
Based on 30 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.8
Interior 4.7
Performance 4.8
Value 4.5
Exterior 4.8
Reliability 4.6

Most recent

The Perfect Ride

I love this car I bought it for my wife for her Birthday and she just loves it. The ride is great and all the extras it has it perfect
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
Comfort 5.0
Interior 5.0
Performance 5.0
Value 5.0
Exterior 5.0
Reliability 5.0
7 people out of 9 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Mixed Feelings

I love the car and at the same time I can't help to hate it. What I love about the car would be the luxurious interior, comfortable and quiet cabin, smooth ride, ease of access, and a few extra features that were put in as an add-on. What I don't like about this car would be the poor fuel economy for the 30i model, especially when compared to the B-58 engine. Apple carplay connection issues, no option for remote start unless I want to void warranty, and no option for the iDrive Recorder App. Exterior Styling - 8.5/10 Interior Styling - 9/10 Comfort - 9.5/10 Cargo space - 8.5/10 Driving smoothness - 9.5/10 Horsepower - 7/10 Fuel Economy - 3/10 It's been an overall fun car to get around in. It's easy to get in and out of, smooth on bumpy roads, and it is quiet. The fact that only 2022 models and newer offer remote start and iDrive recorder is a big disappointment. But I think my biggest disappointment would be the fuel economy. As I had the B-58 in the past and averaged out 11.5L/100km and in this X3 am averaging 13.5/100km which was worse than my pick up truck. I might not keep this car for long-term just because of how poor the fuel economy is.
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
Comfort 5.0
Interior 5.0
Performance 3.0
Value 3.0
Exterior 4.0
Reliability 3.0
20 people out of 24 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2021 BMW X3?

The 2021 BMW X3 is available in 3 trim levels:

  • M40i (1 style)
  • sDrive30i (1 style)
  • xDrive30i (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2021 BMW X3?

The 2021 BMW X3 offers up to 25 MPG in city driving and 29 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2021 BMW X3?

The 2021 BMW X3 compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2021 BMW X3 reliable?

The 2021 BMW X3 has an average reliability rating of 4.6 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2021 BMW X3 owners.

Is the 2021 BMW X3 a good SUV?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2021 BMW X3. 93.3% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.8 / 5
Based on 30 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.8
  • Interior: 4.7
  • Performance: 4.8
  • Value: 4.5
  • Exterior: 4.8
  • Reliability: 4.6

BMW X3 history

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