• Cheapest petrol and diesel are efficient
• PHEV has lowest emissions and 30-mile EV range
• Even the hot M40d is reasonably economical

What are the running costs?

The BMW X3 is a premium SUV, so it isn’t going to be cheap to run. Servicing costs and replacement parts are higher than brands like Ford and Vauxhall, but you can claw some money back on fuel by picking one of the car’s more efficient powertrains.

The most efficient X3 is the plug-in hybrid xDrive30e. Under official WLTP testing, BMW says it’ll return between 117.7 and 134.5mpg. However, you won’t achieve these figures in the real world unless you charge up regularly and drive everywhere you can on electric power.

Again, though, this isn’t manageable unless you have an incredibly short commute. BMW says the X3 xDrive30e has an electric-only range of up to 30 miles but, at motorway speeds, we found that figure to be more like 20 miles. So, you’ll probably end up burning fuel whether you like it or not. We tested it – and on our 85-mile motorway commute with a full battery, we achieved just over 50mpg.

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The diesel xDrive20d will suit motorway drivers better. Its fuel economy is a claimed 44.8–47.9mpg, which is almost as good as the PHEV model in the real world. Also, because it doesn’t feature any expensive battery and electric motor tech, it’s more than £8,000 cheaper than the PHEV model. Even the xDrive30d offers impressive fuel economy for the performance, at a claimed 42.8-45.6mpg.

While these economy figures look great, we wouldn’t recommend buying a diesel if you’re just pottering around town. Diesel engines are always at their best over long distances so, if your annual mileage is limited, consider one of the petrol engines. BMW says the xDrive20i can return up to 36.7mpg, while the faster M40i returns up to 31.4mpg.

Servicing and warranty

BMW’s service schedule is a little complicated, so we’ll distil it down to the key points. Your X3 will need an oil change every 10,000 miles, a brake service every 30,000 miles and a transmission fluid change every 60,000 miles. At around 100,000 miles, you’ll also need to have the engine’s belts, hoses and water pump changed.

BMW maintenance costs are quite high, but you can opt for the company’s service plan to help you budget better. It’s called BMW Service Inclusive – and it covers the first four years of your car’s servicing. Prices start from £1,000 for a petrol X3 and around £1,200 for a diesel X3.

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Every new BMW X3 comes with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty. The battery pack on PHEV models is also covered for a maximum of eight years or 74,500 miles[WL1] . That looks a little stingy when compared to the 10-year warranty offered with the Lexus NX.

Reliability

• Proven mechanicals used in other BMWs
• Eleven recalls for some pre-facelift cars
• Average reliability record

The BMW X3 uses the same family of engines and gearboxes as the 3 Series saloon – and we haven’t heard any horror stories from consumers about that car’s mechanicals. A few drivers have reported mechanical and electrical failures in our X3 owner reviews section, but they seem to be an unlucky minority who have been sold Friday models. We’re confident the X3 won’t let you down.

Before it was facelifted in 2021, the BMW X3 was subject to eleven recalls. Cars built in 2018 have the highest number of faults – they have issues with their rear brakes, exhaust gas recirculation systems, fuel systems, steering systems and front airbags. There were also two recalls issued relating to the fixings holding the rear spoiler in place.

BMW has now remedied these issues – and there haven’t been any more recalls since the X3 was facelifted. If you’re buying used, though, it’s worth securing proof that the recall work has been done before you hand over the cash.