BMW X3 M SUV

The 2022 BMW X3 M is offered in just one trim level; prices for which start at around $69900. As standard, the X3 M comes with a 473 hp, 3-liter turbo inline-6 engine. However, BMW offers a $7000 optional Competition package that loads the car with the same 3-liter turbo 6 pot unit that’s tuned to make 503 horses. Moreover, the Competition package comes with a host of cosmetic and functional upgrades. We’ve listed a few standard features offered the X3 M in the table below-

Which Trim should you buy?

You don’t have much choice here when it comes to trim levels. BMW offers only one trim on offer. However, we recommend you opt for the Competition package to further enhance your driving experience.

The expected release date for the 2022 BMW X3 M

The 2022 BMW X3 M is available for pre-orders and the cars are supposed to roll out in the month of September 2021.

When you’re buying a crazy car like this, you shouldn’t really care about fuel economy. The 2022 X3 M returns 15 MPG while driving around the city and while on the highway it can haul up to about 20 miles on a gallon of gas. Its combined EPA rating of 17 mpg is the lowest in the segment but you know, hardly anybody bats an eye about that when you have nearly 400 horses under the hood. With a decent 17.2-gallon tank, it can manage over 300 miles on the highway on a full tank.

Despite making 500+ horses, the Stelvio Qadrifoglio manages to deliver the best fuel economy figures in the segment. Its combined figures of 19 mpg are better than the BMW X3 M and the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 both deliver 17 mpg combined. EPA ratings of the Macan GTS are not available yet. 

It’s interesting how little changes the 2022 X3 M gets compared to the regular X3. One would expect the X3 M’s interior to be stripped down for weight saving and would get light-weight carbon fiber bits and no features and equipment whatsoever. But that’s not quite the case. Yes the X3 M has a blacked-out cabin along with carbon fiber trims here and there that look sporty and match the character of the car. But BMW hasn’t stripped the X3 M down of any luxury and creature comfort features. You have a nice, round stubby steering wheel at the front wrapped in BMW’s M-Sport leather. There’s a fully digital instrument cluster behind the wheel that displays all the info you might need including navigation. This is a driver-focused vehicle and so the central air-con vents and the infotainment screen are angled towards the driver slightly.

Moreover, the air-con vents at the front get carbon-fiber surrounds while we find it a bit odd that BMW has stuck in a plain piano black plastic panel for the areas around the gear-shift lever, around the center console. What’s impressive though, is the sheer space and comfort in the car. BMW hasn’t compromised in this area even if it is a high-performance model, it gets all the bells and whistles. At the front, you have M Sport bucket seats that come with power adjusting side bolsters to hold you firmly up in place. The rear outboard seats are scooped out as well to offer better bolstering and to prevent passengers from getting thrown around. Fitting in 3 adults at the back can be a tad bit difficult but carrying 4 people in the SUV should be no problem at all.

In terms of sheer passenger space and comfort, there’s no other vehicle that comes close to the Beemer. Yes, we like the design of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio more, for it just feels more sporty and has lots of exposed carbon fiber bits around but for somebody who would still like the vehicle to feel as luxurious and upscale as a regular luxury SUV, would prefer the BMW’s interior. And the X3 M is also very practical at the same time. 

It has a large boot that can swallow up to around 28.7 cubic feet of cargo. The rear seats split-fold 60/40 and you can fold those seats flat and throw in more stuff. There are plenty of storage spaces on the inside as well including a fairly large glove box at the front, deep storage pockets in the center console, and front armrest and bottle holders on all four doors. Standout interior features in the 2022 BMW X3 M are:

• 12-way power-adjustable, 3-stage heated front M-Sport bucket seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Carbon fiber and leather interior trim
• Multi-color, adjustable ambient lighting
• Leather-wrapped seats

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2022 X3 M comes with a lot of equipment to keep you entertained. There’s a large 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display that sits in the center of the dash. The system is quite simple and intuitive to use and the interface is pretty slick.

It also comes along with a very crisp Harman/Kardon surround sound system along with a host of other features. Other infotainment features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, Navigation, and WiFi Hotspot. Standout infotainment features in the 2022 BMW X3 M are:

• A 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display
• 464-watt, 16 speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• SiriusXM radio
• WiFi Hotspot
• AM/FM radio

The 2022 X3 M is an inconspicuous vehicle and it is a little difficult to differentiate the high-performance variant from the regular one. Although, there are a few subtle differences that make the X3 M different from the X3. At the front, there’s that gloss-black kidney grille with a very aggressively sculpted bumper. There’s also a carbon fiber front lip-spoiler which adds to the sporty look of the car. At the side, you’ve aerodynamically angled mirror caps and you can have them in carbon fiber if you opt for the Competition package.

The SUV as standard sits on 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and also gets red brake calipers that look really cool and add to the sporty flair. There’s a fair bit of drama at the back as well and the elements like the split LED taillight set up and once again an aggressively sculpted rear bumper. Plus, the Beemer features a ground clearance of 8 inches and the performance upgrades do not rob of its off-roading abilities. Not to forget the panoramic sunroof which gives a wide, clear view of the outside world.

The BMW X3 M is the largest car in the competition. It also boasts the highest ground clearance in the segment. And while it might not look as striking as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q4 or the Macan GTS, it still is a pretty good-looking vehicle. AMG GLC 63 may be short but it has the largest wheelbase among the competition. Standout exterior features in the 2022 BMW X3 M are:

• 20-inch double-spoke, bi-color aluminum alloy wheels
• Heated ORVMs
• Speed sensitive rain-detecting wipers with heated jets
• Carbon-fiber front lip spoiler
• Powered liftgate
• Auto on/off projector-beam LED headlights with DRLs

The 2022 BMW X3 M hasn’t yet been tested and rated by the NHTSA and the IIHS. It is unlikely to be tested either. Hence, we’ve nothing much to talk about in this area. However, this is BMW’s performance vehicle and they would not really compromise on safety features and we’re pretty sure that the X3 M will get decent crash safety scores. It gets a pretty long list of standard safety equipment, a few of which we've listed down below. Standout safety features in the 2022 BMW X3 M are:

• Front and rear parking sensors
• Blind-spot monitor
• Frontal collision warning with city collision mitigation
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane departure warning

2022 BMW X3 M vs 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63*

The Beemer undercuts its home-bred arch-rival by almost $5000 and does pretty much everything better than the SUV that bears the 3-pointed star on the grille. The BMW has more power, is faster, also drives better, has more passenger space and at the same time can haul more luggage. Moreover, the Mercedes gets just 6.4 inches of ground clearance which means you’ll most certainly end up scratching its floor if you take it over bad roads. Our pick here is the 2022 X3 M because there’s not one area where the Mercedes-Benz beats the BMW.

2022 BMW X3 M vs 2022 Porsche Macan GTS

This home-grown rival of the Beemer is a little too expensive and doesn’t even come close to it in terms of power and performance. Yes, the Macan’s cabin and interiors feel more plush and opulent. And the Porsche crest bears a better snob. But if you’re looking for a hard-core performance machine then the BMW just makes more sense. Even if we had the extra money to afford the Macan, we would put it on the Competition package and get the 30 hp upgrade.

2022 BMW X3 M vs 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio*

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is perhaps one of the most anticipated and sought-after vehicles in the segment. It delivers those crazy numbers from its Ferrari-derived engines and drives better than a few sports and supercars that are there in the market. However, it is the most expensive vehicle in the segment but then if you’re willing to spend for the 505 horses and the exhilarating driving experience that it offers, go ahead, it won’t disappoint you at all. So, our pick in this comparison is the Alfa Romeo, although, logically, the BMW with the Competition package would just make more sense.

The BMW X3 M is a proposition like none other. Absolutely crazy numbers, including price, power and performance, brilliant driving dynamics, great luxury and comfort levels, and super practical at the same time- how much would you want from an automobile? Further, it does almost everything better than all its rivals! If you’re a driving enthusiast and looking are looking to spend over $70000 on a new car purchase, look no further than the 2022 X3 M. Looking at all that it has got on board and everything that it can do, there’s no doubt that this is the best vehicle that you can buy for $70000.