2018 BMW X3 Review





Edmunds' Expert Review
Pros
- Both available engines are powerful and fuel-efficient
- Plenty of standard and optional features for ultimate personalization
- Roomy cabin both front and rear
- Apple CarPlay can be accessed wirelessly
Cons
- Exterior and interior styling isn't much different from previous model
- Android Auto conspicuously absent from options list
What's new
- Completely redesigned for 2018
- This is the first year of the third generation of X3
Interest in any particular car typically wanes as its gets older. Unless, that is, you're talking about the BMW X3. The second-generation X3 was sold for seven years, yet BMW's constant enhancements made this X3 a sales juggernaut long past the traditional life span. Now the company has ushered in a fully redesigned 2018 X3 in hopes of keeping you within the BMW family, even as rival automakers introduce a host of new and recently revised luxury crossover SUVs.
For sale nearby
- New Listing$25,000fair price$247 below market
- 33,004 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 4cyl automatic
- Driveway(206 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Minnetonka, MN
Low Mileage,Apple CarPlay,Back-Up Camera,Bluetooth,Brake Assist,Hands-Free Liftgate,Heated Seats,Heated Steering Wheel,Keyless Start,Leather Seats,Nav...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (22 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5UXTR9C58JLD67518
Stock: S9Z81873A
Certified Pre-Owned: No - Stock photo**$17,508good price$935 below market
- 95,435 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 4cyl automatic
- Drive Appeal in Eden Prairie(215 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Eden Prairie, MN
2018 BMW X3 Dark Graphite xDrive30i AWD 8-Speed Automatic 2.0L I4 TwinPower Turbo 8-Speed Automatic.**PERFECT ONE OWNER CAR FAX** Recent Arrival! 22...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (22 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5UXTR9C51JLC74162
Stock: ELC74162
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-26-2025
From the outside, it's hard to tell BMW did anything. The 2018 X3 resembles the outgoing model to the point that you might not be able to tell the difference. The X3 itself is longer and wider, though, and the size boost produces tangible increases in head- and legroom for all passengers. Like the outside, the inside of the X3 is massaged rather than overhauled. The central display is now a touchscreen that sticks up from the dash, and it's loaded with the latest iDrive infotainment software and wireless Apple CarPlay functionality.
The redesigned X3 isn't a revolutionary departure from its massively successful predecessor. From that vantage point, the 2018 BMW X3 might seem like a bit of a disappointment. But as the old adage goes, you don't fix what isn't broken. This newest X3 remains one of our top recommendations for a luxury crossover SUV.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
7.6 / 10Trim tested
Scorecard
Overall | 7.6 / 10 |
Driving | 7.5 |
Comfort | 8.0 |
Interior | 7.5 |
Utility | 8.0 |
Technology | 7.0 |
Driving
7.5Acceleration
7.6Braking
7.0Steering
7.5Handling
8.0Drivability
8.0Off-road
7.0Comfort
8.0Seat comfort
8.0Ride comfort
8.0Noise & vibration
7.5Climate control
7.5Interior
7.5Ease of use
7.0Getting in/getting out
8.0Driving position
7.0Roominess
8.0Visibility
7.5Quality
7.5Utility
8.0Small-item storage
8.0Cargo space
7.0Child safety seat accommodation
7.5Towing
8.5Technology
7.0Audio & navigation
8.0Smartphone integration
5.5Driver aids
5.5Voice control
8.5Which X3 does Edmunds recommend?
2018 BMW X3 models
The 2018 BMW X3 is a five-passenger crossover sold in two trims, each with its own distinct powertrain. Under the hood of thexDrive30i is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (248 horsepower, 258 pound-feet of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Standard exterior features include 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and foglights, automatic wipers, roof rails, a power tailgate, a rearview camera, and power-folding, auto-dimming and heated mirrors.
Inside, you'll find an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with wheel-mounted shift paddles, keyless ignition, adjustable driving modes, tri-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front sport seats, a 40/20/40-split rear seat with individual seat recline, simulated leather upholstery, driver-seat memory settings, a 6.5-inch central display, BMW's iDrive infotainment interface, a USB port and a 12-speaker audio system.
There are multiple options packages available for the xDrive30i. TheConveniencepackage adds LED headlights, keyless entry, a panoramic sunroof, satellite radio and four-way power lumbar adjustment for the front seats. TheM Sport package adds the contents of the Convenience package, plus 19-inch wheels, more aggressive-looking front and rear bumpers, a sport steering wheel and a simulated leather-covered dashboard. Selecting either of these opens the gates to theDynamic Handlingpackage, which includes adaptive suspension dampers, upgraded brakes and variable-ratio steering.
TheM40iis driven by a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine producing 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Additional features includes adaptive LED headlights, automatic high beams, a sport exhaust, a sport-tuned suspension, front and rear parking sensors, a launch control feature and the contents of the above three packages.
A number of packages can be added to either model. Driver aids are available through theDriving Assistance (forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert),Driving Assistance Plus (Driving Assistance package, adaptive cruise control, front cross-traffic, alert and lane departure warning and mitigation) andParking Assistance (front and rear parking sensors, an automated parking system and a 360-degree parking camera) packages.
Additional luxury features are included in thePremium(19-inch wheels, heated front seats, navigation, a 10.3-inch touchscreen, a head-up display and BMW Remote Services) andExecutive(Premium and Parking Assistance packages, adaptive LED headlights, automatic high beams, leather upholstery, a digital instrument panel and hands-free gesture controls for the touchscreen) packages.
Some of the above features can be ordered as stand-alone options. Additional extras, depending on packages selected, include 20- and 21-inch wheels, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, manual side-window shades, wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and a trailer hitch.




Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.87 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.
See Edmunds pricing data
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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the BMW X3 from 2008-2022.for Average Luxury Compact SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).for Average Luxury Compact SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).for Average Luxury Compact SUV
BMW X3 Reviews
Owner Reviews
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2018 BMW X3 Review
2018 X3 Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $42,650 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $192/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 28.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the X3 models:
- Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go
- Maintains a set distance between the X3 and the car in front. Can bring the X3 to a stop and resume speed when the car in front moves.
- Adaptive Brake Lights
- Brightens the brake lights to indicate a sudden stop and flashes them to indicate an emergency stop.
- Parking Assistant Plus
- Guides the X3 into a vacant parallel parking spot with minimal driver intervention.
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