BMW X3 (2014-2017) interior
The BMW X3’s interior feels solidly built and has lots of practical features, but the design is starting to look dated and doesn’t get BMW’s latest technology
Style
The X3’s dashboard is well built, logically laid out and points towards the driver for a sporty feel. Trouble is, it lacks the feel-good factor you get in the designs of the opulent Mercedes GLC and minimalist Audi Q5.
That said, even entry-level SE X3 models get leather upholstery, colourful ambient lighting, shiny black plastics and satin silver trim pieces that make it look and feel a cut above more mainstream SUVs such as the VW Tiguan.
Mid-range xLine models up the ante with a sports steering wheel and Dark Copper trim pieces, as well as having ‘xLine’ embossed into the headrests of the front seats. Even the key – which has a pearl insert – lets people know you haven’t settled for the cheapest X3.
You won’t have chosen the most expensive model, either – that honour falls to the M Sport model, which gets brushed aluminium trim pieces, an M Sport specific steering wheel and a pair of sports seats that keep you in place in fast corners.
Whichever model you go for, you can choose from beige, black, oyster or saddle brown leather upholstery. M Sport or xLine models can also have mocha or ivory white interior, although the latter is almost impossible to keep clean.
You can dictate and send tweets via the X3’s infotainment system as you drive – fingers crossed Donald Trump isn’t reading this
- Used
- £20,299
Infotainment
Watch our BMW X3 interior video review
All BMW X3s come with the same satellite-navigation with a 6.5-inch screen as standard. Navigating its menus is extremely easy and the iDrive control located between the front seats means you can use it on the move without having to take your eyes off the road. The system also includes on-the-fly traffic updates, so the X3 can re-route you around congestion. That said, the screen is relatively small for an expensive car like this and the display doesn’t have the detailed graphics you might expect.
Fortunately, the £900 Professional Navigation system deals with those issues. It has an 8.8-inch display, more colourful graphics and a faster processor that means it’s slicker to operate than the basic system. Its iDrive includes a touch-sensitive pad so you can write post codes in with your finger quicker than you can scrolling through the alphabet choosing individual letters in the entry-level sat-nav.
In the same way, the standard stereo is okay, but if you want to rock your X3 with a wave of sound you’re better off going for the £895 Harman Kardon system that has 16 speakers and a 600W power output.
- Used
- £20,299