The new X3 arrived on our shores late last year. The previous model wasn’t one of my favourite SUVs, so I was hoping that the new iteration would be more to my liking. The test car was the three-litre, straight-six diesel engine, but it is also available in two-litre and four-litre (petrol) versions. This three-litre comes with 261 bhp and the power is transmitted to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gear box.

Sitting into the BMW is a luxurious experience, with its cream leather interior and comfortable figure-hugging seat. These seats are fully electric and literally mould to your shape with the flick of a few switches. Up to three drivers’ settings can be saved and once you hop into the seat and push “your” button, the seat and steering wheel will move to the desired position. On the space front, the X3 is roomy without feeling big to drive.

On the road

Driving a BMW is always a nice experience, with a couple of exceptions including the last iteration of the X3, which I found to be a bit boring by the German marque’s standards.

As soon as you fire up the three-litre engine, you know that this is a different beast. This engine, which is used across the range, is currently one of my favourites. On the move, the X3 has some impressive touches, with the BMW heads-up display the best of it kind once you get used to it. It not only makes driving far easier but it also comes with the bonus of never having to take your eyes off the road.

As small SUVs go, the X3 is very much at the top end of the list, both on price and specification. For this reason, you would expect it to do everything much better than all other cars in this class. Driving the X3 is as good as you expect it to be. The engine is brilliant and the gearbox is nearly seamless.

The four-wheel-drive system is good. I did some cross-field driving and found it very reassuring to have all four wheels driving. On the road, the X3 does exactly what you expect it to. It handles brilliantly for an SUV, with all the poise you get from a saloon car.

Cross-country, it is very good with pinpoint steering and lots of power to get from corner to corner. On the motorway, the X3 is a pleasurable way to eat up kilometres, with all the driver aids that you expect, including lane-assist and adaptive cruise control.

Verdict

Having been a bit ambivalent about the previous X3, the new arrival stands up to any test I could throw at it. It is beautifully finished and with what I believe to be one of the best engines around at the minute, this is a seriously good car. This model will be one for the wishlist given the price but the two-litre engine version will be more than capable of being the perfect small SUV for most people.