2022 BMW X3

Looks like: The current X3 with some minor tweaks

Competes with: Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Audi Q5, Genesis GV70, Lexus RX, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Volvo XC60

Powertrains: 248-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (sDrive30i, xDrive30i); 382-hp, turbo 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder with 48-volt mild hybrid (M40i); 473- (X3 M) or 503-hp (X3 M Competition), turbo 3.0-liter inline-six; rear- (sDrive30i) or all-wheel (xDrive30i, M40i, X3 M) drive; eight-speed automatic transmission

Hits dealerships: September

BMW’s compact X3 SUV will gain several subtle but significant updates for the 2022 model year, including a lightly revised appearance. The new look is so similar, in fact, that it’s difficult to tell it apart from the 2021 version without looking at them side by side. The most significant change is the inclusion of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system on the six-cylinder M40i. The rest of the updates include more advanced standard and available technology and a few extra standard safety features.

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Exterior

Up front, the headlights are 0.4 inch thinner, according to BMW, while the signature kidney grille gets a new one-piece frame and is larger, though not of the gaping proportions of the redesigned 4 Series or recently announced all-electric iX. In back, wider exhaust cutouts give the X3 a sportier appearance, and the LED taillights with integrated turn signals have a redesigned “pincer claw” look with a black surround.

New, more aerodynamic black 19-inch wheels can be equipped for improved fuel efficiency, and an optional M Sport Package makes the SUV look more aggressive with features like larger front air intakes. The optional Shadowline Package adds dark exterior accents.

The more powerful six-cylinder M40i gets an M-specific grille design, side mirrors and 19-inch wheels, with 20s and 21s optional.

Interior, Tech Updates

For 2022, the X3 borrows its cockpit design from the latest 4 Series, using a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen display. The optional Live Cockpit Professional adds a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and ups the touchscreen display to 12.3 inches, as well. The new center console’s control layout mimics the current 3 Series.

Interior technology has also been updated with iDrive 7, the latest version of BMW’s multimedia software. Enhanced built-in navigation includes improved arrival prediction times, more traffic updates for smaller roads and an improved ability to find available parking near a destination. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant — activated either by a button or by saying, “Hey, BMW” — now has greater functionality, including being able to change the driving modes, open or close the windows, or regulate the air conditioning.

The 2022 X3 will also support over-the-air updates for future improvements.

Mild Hybridization

New for 2022, six-cylinder M40i models have 48-volt mild-hybrid systems for improved efficiency and an on-demand 11 horsepower to assist the six-cylinder’s 382 hp, which also delivers 369 pounds-feet of torque. BMW has yet to release any fuel economy estimates, however. With standard all-wheel drive, BMW says the M40i goes from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

The X3 M40i also gets a standard performance exhaust system and adaptive suspension, and its AWD system is tuned to provide more power to the rear wheels for a sportier feel.

The rear-wheel-drive sDrive30i and all-wheel-drive xDrive30i use BMW’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 248 hp and 258 pounds-feet of torque. Both versions do the 0-60 sprint in 6.0 seconds, according to BMW. All versions of the X3 use an eight-speed automatic transmission.

An optional Dynamic Handling Package adds variable-ratio steering along with BMW’s Dynamic Damper Control and M Sport brakes. X3s with the M Sport Package also get a feature called Performance Control, which — like in the M40i — can deliver more power to the rear wheels for sportier driving characteristics.

More Torque for X3 M, M Competition

2022 BMW X3 M Competition (European model shown) | Manufacturer image

The true M versions of the X3, the X3 M and M Competition, receive much of the same design and technology updates as the more vanilla 2022 X3. The big news for performance SUV fans comes in the form of revised engine tuning, which ups the torque figure for the X3 M from 442 pounds-feet to 457, while the M Competition’s torque increases 37 pounds-feet to 479. Horsepower remains unchanged at 473 for the X3 M and 503 for the M Competition.

With the added twist, BMW says the X3 M’s 0-60 mph time drops from 4.1 to 3.9 seconds, while the M Competition’s drops from 4.0 to 3.7 seconds.

Some Standard Safety Tech

The X3 comes standard with some advanced safety features, including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning and blind spot warning. More advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control and BMW’s semi-autonomous Extended Traffic Jam Assistant, remain optional.

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Pricing and Release Date

The X3 sDrive30i will start at $44,695 (all prices include destination), while the AWD xDrive30i will be priced from $46,695. M40i models will have a starting price of $58,795. Performance enthusiasts will have to shell out $70,895 for the X3 M or $74,395 for the X3 M Competition.

Production of the 2022 X3 begins in August at BMW’s plant in South Carolina, with sales expected to begin by September.

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