BMW · 2003–present

BMW X3 (E83)

The BMW X3 is a compact luxury crossover SUV manufactured by BMW since 2003, based on the BMW 3 Series platform. BMW markets the car as a Sports Activity Vehicle, the company's proprietary descriptor for its X-line luxury vehicles. The first-generation X3 E83 in 2003 was designed by BMW in conjunction with Magna Steyr of Graz, Austria—who also manufactured all X3s under contract to BMW. The BMW X3 (2003) was the first BMW model to officially introduce the xDrive system under this name. The car was the first mid-size, premium SUV on the market. In 2008, BMW started competing with the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class (renamed GLC-Class since 2016), and numerous other SUVs in this segment. BMW manufactured the second-generation X3 F25 in 2010 at their Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA. Starting with the third generation G01 in 2017, BMW South Africa's Rosslyn plant began production of the X3, alongside the Spartanburg plant, after the facility underwent a major upgrade to prepare for the X3 production, replacing the long-running 3 Series production in the plant. The battery electric model was sold as the BMW iX3. In 2019 the first BMW X3 M (F97) version fitted with a 3.0 L S58 was produced. The fourth-generation X3 G45 went into the production in 2024. The X3 is smaller than the X5 and X6, and bigger than the X1 and the X2. 1st Generation: E83 (2003–2010) 2nd Generation: F25 (2011–2017) 3rd Generation: G01/F97 (2017–2024) 4th Generation: G45 (2024–Present)

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: BMW X3 (F25)

All BMW X3 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

First generation (E83; 2003)

The first-generation BMW X3, internally designated as the E83, was produced from 2003 to 2010 and based on the BMW 3 Series platform. The E83 was designed by BMW in conjunction with Magna Steyr of Graz, Austria who also manufactured all first-generation X3s under contract to BMW. As a precursor to the X3, in 2003 BMW presented the xActivity concept vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show featuring the 3 Series platform and a fixed-profile convertible body style with reinforced longitudinal rails connecting the A-pillars to the rear of the car on both sides, eliminating B- or C-pillars. The X3 premiered in September 2003 at the Frankfurt Auto Show (Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung), sharing its rear suspension with the E46 330xi and using an automatic four-wheel drive system marketed as xDrive. All X3 models feature BMW's all-wheel drive system, with a default 40:60 torque split between the front and rear axles. The system used an electronically controlled multiple-plate clutch to enable infinitely adjustable, fully variable distribution of torque from rear to front axle with the capability of up to 50 per cent of engine torque going to the front. This is because the rear-biased AWD system X-drive delivers direct drive to the rear axle from the transmission, but the front axle only receives input through the infinitely-variable transfer case clutch "as needed". This makes X-drive particularly durable for acceleration and towing, as the weight shifts rearward during climbing onto the un-clutched directly-driven rear axle. Finally, advanced traction control allows both axles to behave as electro-hydraulically-controlled limited slip differentials employed "as needed" to achieve ultimate traction by synchronizing torque to left and right tires irrespective of grip and resulti

Second generation (F25; 2010)

The F25 is the second generation of BMW X3. The vehicle was unveiled in 2010 at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. For this generation, production moved from Magna Steyr in Austria to at BMW's United States plant in Greer, South Carolina. Production started on 1 September 2010, and ended in August 2017. Dimensions-wise, the F25-based X3 is almost as large as the original E53 series X5. At launch, all models use all-wheel drive, badged as xDrive. Transmission choices are a six-speed manual or eight-speed ZF 8HP automatic transmission. The emission standard for all engines was Euro 5, until the June 2014 LCI facelift when all diesels became Euro 6. A rear-wheel drive only model called sDrive was added to the range in some markets in 2012. M Performance Parts were released in the facelift and can be installed to all models. These include carbon fibre mirrors, a sport steering wheel, M rims, black kidney grilles and Aluminium pedals. 30d models also get a power boost kit making 27 hp more (286 hp) and 18d and 20d models can be fitted with a dual exhaust. Europe UK models went on sale on 18 November 2010. Early UK models included the xDrive20d. xDrive30d was added in April 2011. xDrive35d was added from September 2011. sDrive18d was added on 20 August 2012. From early 2013, the latest generation of BMW Professional Navigation System became available. North America US models arrived in US BMW Centres by the end of 2010 as 2011 model year vehicles. Early US models included xDrive28i, xDrive35i. In 2013 model year (produced in April 2012 and delivered in May 2012), a turbo four cylinder xDrive28i was introduced as replacement for the inline six xDrive28i, with new features such as standard Auto Start/Stop, Driving Dynamics Control with ECO PRO, New Driver Assistance Package (includes L

Third generation (G01; 2017)

The third generation is codenamed G01 and was unveiled in June 2017. Designed by Calvin Luk, BMW's Australian designer, drivetrains include two 2.0-litre diesel units known as B47, a next-generation 3.0-litre diesel engine (B57), and a petrol variant (B58): a gasoline-powered, turbo-charged straight-six with a displacement of 2,998 cc and a plug-in hybrid. Technology is shared with the BMW 5 Series (G30), such as gesture control (optional), LED exterior and interior lighting, and the BMW iDrive 6.0 system with a 12.5-inch touch-screen monitor for navigation systems. Depending on the model, the new X3 is as much as 55 kg (121 lb) lighter than a comparably equipped corresponding model from the previous X3 generation. The BMW X3 is well-regarded for its safety, having earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In July 2018, BMW introduced the ability to option the X3 with the sDrive intelligent rear-wheel drive system. In 2019, the X3 xDrive 30e (which shares its powertrain and platform with the G20 330e xDrive) iPerformance model was introduced, sharing its engine with the X3 sDrive20i/xDrive20i and a 50 kW (67 hp) electric motor, it has a maximum electric range of 27–30 mi (43–48 km). It has a 12 kWh battery (9.6 kWh usable) along with a newly developed system called "XtraBoost" allowing a temporary power increase from the electric motor of up to 30 kW (40 hp). In early 2020, the X3 xDrive20d was given a mild hybrid 48 volt system. All non-X3 M models, including the iX3 can be fitted with M Performance Parts. These include carbon fibre mirrors. X3 M. In 2019, BMW introduced the X3 M and X3 M Competition (F97), being the first time an X3 had

Fourth generation (G45/NA5; 2024/2025)

The fourth-generation X3 G45 was unveiled on 19 June 2024, with sales commenced in late 2024 for the 2025 model year in the North American and European markets. For the first time in the model history, the X3 is available with a long wheelbase (LWB) version, codenamed G48, exclusive for the Chinese market. Unlike the previous model, BMW confirmed that the flagship M high-performance model will not be produced for the X3 G45, therefore the M Performance M50 model served as the highest performance internal combustion model of the X3 G45. BMW instead focused on developing the M model of the battery-electric powered iX3.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

BMW X3

Manufacturer

BMW

Production

2003–present

Class

Compact luxury crossover SUV (D)

Body style

5-door SUV

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2647299CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_X3CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1376888019 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BMW_X3_front_20080524.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Rudolf Stricker · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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