YEOJU, Gyeonggi Province -- In the heated market of sports utility vehicles, German luxury carmaker BMW is challenging other foreign competitors here by introducing the third-generation X3, a sport activity vehicle believed to have paved the high-end SUV market.

On a Sophisto Gray-colored New X3 xDrive30d M Sport, The Korea Herald went for a 210 kilometer-test drive from the company’s newly built Seongsu showroom in eastern Seoul to Sejong astronomical observatory in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, on Friday.

The X3 introduced for a media test drive is the newest model in seven years. The BMW‘s first X3 rolled out in 2003. As a bestselling model, over 1.6 million units of X3 SUVs have been sold worldwide, the company said.

Design wise, no significant difference was felt when compared to its predecessor. It has kept its traditional image of being a crunky vehicle, together with a masculine grille which seemed a bit too large.

But riding the vehicle just proved that it has evolved rather technologically. Even after a long drive, from city to suburban areas, it felt comfortable yet thrilling.

Powered by a twinpower turbo 6-cylinder inline engine, the New X3 xDrive30d M Sport produces 63.3 kilogram-force meters of torque with horsepower peaking at 265 horses.

From a standstill, it can reach 100 kilometers per hour in 5.8 seconds.

A notable aspect of the New X3 was its outstanding stability at all times, in particular, when driving through off-road terrain.

Maneuvering through tricky off-road courses, the SUV instantly demonstrated great balance on bumpy sand and powered across Seom River.
 

According to BMW Korea, the new model boasts perfect 50:50 weight distribution due to a 5.4 centimeter longer wheelbase, longer bonnet and shorter front overhang.

Despite it being a diesel-powered SUV, the New X3 blocked out wind noise and made very little engine noise at speeds of over 150 kph on the highway.

After the test drive, the SUV showed a fuel efficiency of 10.8 kilometers per liter, slightly lower than its official combined fuel economy of 11.3.

BMW Efficient Dynamics has been applied to the New X3, which has allowed the SUV to offer the best drag coefficient among similar models of 0.29 Cd along with a lighter curb weight that has been reduced by 55 kilograms than the previous model, the company said.

BMW Efficient Dynamics refers to the company’s strategy to minimize fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions while increasing dynamics and driving pleasure.

On the downside, a lack of smart safety systems was a noticeable drawback of the New X3 compared to its rival model Volvo XC60 that is equipped with semi-autonomous systems, including pilot assist II.

The New X3 comes with collision warning systems, including the pedestrian detection, which are also mostly installed in the relatively affordable Hyundai Kona small SUV.

According to BMW Korea, it expects the new model to boost sales of the X3 SUV to more than 2,000 units by the end of this year.

German luxury Mercedes-Benz‘s GLC retained the top spot in the local midsize SUV market. A total of 3,329 units of the GLC was sold between January and October this year, according to data by the Korea Automobile Importers And Distributors Association.

The Volvo XC60 has surpassed the 1,000 unit mark in pre-orders in three weeks, the company said.

Targeted for men in their 30s and 40s, the New X3 is priced between 65.8 million won ($60,116) and 83.6 million won.


The Korea Herald rating (out of 5 stars):
Design: 4 stars
Safety: 4 stars
Gas Mileage: 5 stars
Price: 4 stars
Overall: 17/20


By Kim Bo-gyung (lisakim425@heraldcorp.com)