Nearly new buying guide: BMW X3

The 503bhp BMW X3 M is also worth a mention, although, like the iX3, it deserves a whole feature to itself. So, disregarding those last two cars, what’s the X3 like to drive? Well, it splits the difference between long-distance cruising and driving pleasure really well. 

That’s thanks in no small part to a relatively playful chassis and a four-wheel drive system that favours the rear wheels. Road and wind noise is kept impressively low, too. 

Few rivals get close to the X3 for ride comfort, particularly on models equipped with adaptive suspension, which can be softened on a heavily rutted stretch of asphalt, and then sharpened in an instant for a series of bends. 

The interior, meanwhile, is very plush, including soft-touch plastics and high-quality leather. It’s roomy, too. People in the back should have few complaints, even though a central tunnel cuts the available space for a middle passenger. 

Unlike the Land Rover Discovery Sport, you can’t get seven seats with the X3. However, what does come in handy is the large, usefully shaped boot with a decent amount of underfloor storage. Standard 40/20/40-split folding rear seats only add to its already impressive practical credentials. 

This all sounds rather expensive, but prices are cheaper than you might think. 

For an early, diesel version with a mileage north of 100,000, it will cost you around £20,000. Up your budget to around £26,000 and you will see more petrol cars. The faster M40i and M40d models are understandably more expensive and start at around £35,000. For a 30e, expect to pay upwards of £44,000.

Our top spec 

SE: This trim gets you all the kit you really need at a reasonable price. The next model up, xLine, has mostly cosmetic extras. M Sport has firmer suspension and really needs adaptive dampers to soften the ride.

Need to know

The most frugal diesel is the 20d, with a WLTP average of 45.6mpg. The six-cylinder 30d is only slightly down on, at 40.4mpg, and the M40d returns 39.2mpg. The petrols waver around the mid-30s. 

All petrol and diesel X3s of this generation will cost you £165 per year in road tax, unless you go for the PHEV 30e, which is £155. 

The 30e has an official all-electric range of up to 31 miles and 141.2mpg economy, but that won’t necessarily be easy to achieve in real-world conditions.

Buyer beware

Reliability: The latest X3, in petrol form, finished in fourth place out of 32 cars in the large SUV category of the most recent What Car? Reliability Survey. In diesel form, the model still finished in a respectable 10th.