2022 BMW X3 M Competition review: Compete for bragging rights

Verdict: The 2022 BMW X3 M Competition is a capable performance car that struggles to stand out.

Against the competition: The X3 M Competition SUV is not as fun as some of its competitors, including Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio and a whole host of performance cars, and it does not have the power and brute force of large performance SUVs.

BMW’s X3 is a popular compact luxury SUV and the M Competition and M variants that appear for 2020 offer buyers much of the performance of the M3 sedan in addition to an SUV. That said, utility isn’t very high on BMW’s priority list; he insists on calling the X3 a “sports car.”

For 2022, the 503-hp X3 M competition gets 479 pound-feet of torque, up from 442 pound-feet in the 2021 model.

It also gets a larger grille design, a more aggressive exterior style, and other standard technology features

There are quite a few performance SUVs on the market these days, but few fall into the category of luxury compact SUVs: in addition to the X3 M, there is the already-mentioned Alfa,

while the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 will not come back in time.

2023 GLC fits the market. Audi SQ5 is not as bonkers as other European performance SUVs.

Other entries are big – sometimes huge, like Dodge Durango SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat or Cadillac Escalade V.

BMW has no plans to bring the M3 Touring sedan to the U.S.

anytime soon, so if you’re looking for a BMW that can haul ass and big, the X3 M — or the hardcore M Competition — is the best choice. your beauty. choice. Do they deserve it?

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2022 BMW X3 M Competition | Photo from Cars.com by Christian Lantry
The X3 M is very fast; BMW estimates the 0-60 mph time at 3.7 seconds.

Power comes quickly, using a lightning-fast eight-speed transmission that quickly finds the right gear for quick power without switching between the two.

The exhaust note has a healthy, aggressive sound, with a proper crackle and exhaust on downshifts.

(For drivers who prefer a more refined sound experience, the exhaust is adjustable and can be quieter.)

The ride quality is impressive, even with the competition’s 21-inch wheels and a stiffer, more aggressive set-up in the suspension.

The X3 Competition I drove had no problem with road imperfections and was always ready to conquer the next corner.

There is hardly any role, which is both exciting and a little eye-placed in the SUV; something as big and tall as this, with a high seating position, feels like it will shake and roll a little in corners.

Other BMW driving experiences are more disappointing.

The brakes are good in situations where stopping power is needed, but the pedal is responsive and the brakes are powerful (albeit) with a lot of bites, which can make everyday driving difficult.

This BMW move also leaves a lot to be desired, and the misalignment may be befitting a regular SUV, but that’s not the case when “M Competition” appears in the name.

It’s a frequently asked question in our recent BMW reviews, and while they may be comfortable in really aggressive driving – such as on an autocross course – those moments are best left to their own devices. closed curriculum.

The design has been an important part of the M car for some time now, and it continues in the X3 M competition. There are two red M buttons on the steering wheel for the first drive model, another M button on the center console, and buttons. for exhaust ventilation.

There is also a settings button that brings up a menu where you can pick and choose the power of the car you like, steering, suspension, and all the car’s settings

– the last one has a mode that gives the so-called shock behind the drive and agrees. It was almost completely customizable at first, but over time I found combinations that suited my tastes.

Unfortunately, the whole experience feels more buttoned-up and conservative than the 503-horsepower SUV and staggered-width wheels and tires have the right to be. It doesn’t have the sporty,

the understated look of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio with its big four-leaf clover badge and big paddle shifters, not to mention Alfa’s control and communications controls.

There are things the BMW does better than this SUV, like the building technology, but from a pure driving standpoint, I’d choose the Alfa every time.

The X3 M Competition is still one of the most powerful SUVs you can buy, but if you start considering non-SUVs its power diminishes, especially if you focus on performance.

With so many high-performance cars available in the $70,000 to $90,000 range – including BMW’s M3 and M4 – taking the X3 M Competition for performance purposes seems like a mistake.

Still, the X3 M Competition does not offer enough performance to make up for the fact that it does not belong to the upper echelons of performance; Apart from the cargo area, there isn’t much there.

It doesn’t come with a tow bar or a tow bar, and BMW doesn’t list its maximum towing capacity.

The Dodge Durango SRT 392 and Hellcat may not be as comfortable as the BMW, but both can tow up to 8,700 pounds while not pulling ass.

The final negative point against the X3 M’s competition is its fuel economy. While it’s no surprise that a high-performance car isn’t that efficient — and the X3 M Competition is, at 15/20/17 mpg EPA-rated city/highway/combined — it’s shocking. The coldness of the SUV’s plane is close to a full tank of gas. only 292 kilometers.

 

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2022 BMW X3 M Competition |

Photo from Cars.com by Christian Lantry
Built like a performance car, the X3 M Competition doesn’t have a fancy interior, but it’s comfortable and efficient.

The Competition package adds heavily padded but still comfortable front sports seats, and although the rear seats don’t have sports seats, there’s plenty of room and comfort to spare – along with climate control, a charging port, and outdoor seating heated.

It’s good enough to earn a respectable score in our car seat test and touches like carbon-fiber trim and M-colored seat belts add to the game.

Technology is also a strong point, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

(Wireless device charging is a standalone option that my reviewer didn’t include.) The large 12.3-inch touchscreen is clear and easy to use despite the deep menu structure.

The standard digital instrument cluster also measures 12.3 inches and includes an M-specific model that emphasizes the SUV’s dynamic feel by enhancing the displayed information and adding red tones. Some of this information is also transmitted in the optional head-up display.

Best of all, despite the SUV’s tech-heavy interior, there are still plenty of common climate and easy-to-use audio controls.

These controls are welcome because the touch screen can be hard to reach in the driver’s seat, and BMW’s optional gesture control doesn’t always work (and trying to use it while driving in – distracted).

The interior design will be familiar to BMW enthusiasts, but the familiarity is starting to get a little old-fashioned.

The biggest weakness of the X3 M

 

The competition is that it doesn’t have the quality of things to match its price – $87,345 as tested (including destination).

A similar 2023 model will cost more than $90,000. To be honest, it doesn’t seem like the M Competition is that different from the X3 crossover, which starts at around $47,000 for 2023. Filled with plastic, usually at the bottom of the interior.

There’s an “X” logo on the front door that looks like an Easter egg, and I’m a fan of those, but it also looks like it would look more at home on a Subaru than on a BMW. More than that