The BMW X3 has had a remarkable innings over the last six years. Now entering into the final year of this generation, this premium compact SUV has won many admirers for its strong performance credentials, luxury interior and BMW-quality engineering at a comparatively affordable price. The future of the X3 is uncertain as BMW plays its cards close to its chest, but they have made the commitment that production with shift from Austria to its South Carolina plant where the X3’s big brother the X5 is already being produced. This bodes well not only for our ailing economy, but also the X3, which seems likely to take on more of the X5’s newly redesigned styling and performance once they become stable-mates.

2009 BMW X3 Performance

The 2009 BMW X3 is powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder engine that produces 260hp and 225lb-ft of torque. While this does not sound like a hugely powerful engine on paper, and is in fact less than most of the competition, the result on the road is amplified by a number of brilliant engineering features. First is the option of six-speed automatic Shiftlogic transmission with manual override or a six-speed manual transmission. Both deliver lightning fast shifting, but for our money the manual will always win out over the automatic for its responsiveness, despite its lack of popularity with the American public.

The optional Variable Assist adaptive steering provides one of the most direct and sporty steering experiences in the SUV world, and although some have criticized ...

it for its heavy steering at higher speeds, to our mind it gives an even greater level of direct road-feel. Cornering is superbly controlled with imperceptible body lean and the turning radius is small enough to make city parking lots a breeze. The overall feel of the X3 is distinctly car-like and the suspension can be manually adjusted to range from firm to soft.

Acceleration is fast any way you look at it, and the X3 makes 60mph in 7.9 seconds – pretty darned impressive for a 4-ton vehicle with only a 3-liter engine. The maximum towing capacity is 3500lb, pretty much average for the compact crossover class. Fuel economy is above average, offering 17/24mpg city/highway in the automatic and 16/23mpg in the manual.

The X3 comes standard with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system that automatically adjusts the front and rear torque and traction according to the road conditions. While most BMW drivers would seriously baulk at the idea of taking their beautifully polished X3 off the road for a 4WD adventure, it nevertheless exhibits all the capability of being a good off-roader. Hill Descent Control manages all four brakes individually to maintain a slow and constant speed for a smooth descent and traction control also manages the wheel slip to intervene when more traction is required on any particular wheel. In the absence of true muddy adventure, the AWD system gives superb handling in all-weather conditions.

2009 BMW X3 Interior Features

Inside the 2009 BMW X3 is the kind of superbly comfortable environment that we have come to expect from BMW. Seats are spacious and even at the back offer plenty of leg and head room. This is a five-seater with no option for a third row of seating, but if you have more than five in your family, chances are you would be looking towards the X5 anyway. Sport seating can be added as an option for extra bolstering but for everyday family use the regular seats offer adequate support. The base model offers vinyl upholstery with an upgrade available to leather, slightly surprising given the premium price on the X3 yet remembering that this is by no means BMW’s most premium vehicle. The rear seats fold down to almost flat and give a very substantial 70cubic feet of storage area.

Standard features include 17inch alloy wheels, 8-way powered front seats with memory system, airconditioning, full power accessories including sunroof and keyless entry, premium stereo system with MP3 and digital media connection, trip computer, automatic headlights and tilt/telescopic leather wrapped steering wheel. Additional options include leather upholstery, BMW Assist, Universal Garage Door opener, 18-inch sport wheels, heated seats, navigation system and steering-linked adaptive xenon headlights.

2009 BMW X3 Safety

BMW always puts safety high up on the priority list and the X3 carries the full range of safety features plus some. Standard is Dynamic Stability Control, brake assist, ABS and hill descent control to ensure the maximum level of safety in emergency situations. Dual-front, front side and side head curtain airbags are standard, and optional are rear side airbags and front and rear obstacle detection.

Safety features:

• Dynamic stability control, traction control, ABS and brake assist
• Dual front, front side and side curtain airbags
• Tire pressure monitor
• BMW Assist system
• Daytime running lights

Overall the 2009 BMW X3 is a superb compact SUV that offers class-leading performance and even six years down the track with minimal changes still looks miles ahead of the competition in exterior styling. The BMW X3 does suffer from being significantly more expensive than the competition which is made of vehicles like the Infiniti EX35 and the new Volvo XC60, however BMW has its own die-hard following for whom price is not necessarily the main consideration, and undoubtedly whatever BMW decides to create in the place of the X3 will go down a treat with the loyalists.