BMW X3 M50 Review

This X3 M50, BMW keenly points out as it introduces the car in its press materials, comes with the firm's most powerful six-cylinder in-line petrol engine yet fitted in an M Performance model.

Not that anyone behind the wheel is likely to miss this fact.

The BMW X3 M50 distinguishes itself from the more regular X3 models with the use of horizontal bars within its front grille, while the use of red brake callipers is also exclusive to the variant here in Singapore

Eager and capable

For the curious, the numbers stand at 393bhp alongside a total of 580Nm of torque. And for those interested in getting their own hands on one, know this: Acceleration in this X3 M50 is genuinely electric car-rivalling instantaneous.

But throttle responsiveness is but the start of the list of qualities of this performance SUV. It's quite capable on the handling front as well: Show it a curving road and you'll find it delivers uncanny resistance to body roll alongside a steering that is well judged when it comes to weight while being reasonably communicative.

The BMW X3 M50 also comes equipped with Merino leather seats and gets a three-zone air-conditioning system in its cabin

Better still is the fact that you won't find it lacking for aural theatrics. Push the X3 M50 and it always responds with an encouraging and deep rumble from its engine, accompanied with a nice dose of burbles from its exhaust when you ease off the throttle.

And it's not as if all this comes at a compromise to ride comfort. The fitment of adaptive dampers (the X3 20 M Sport we drove in December only gets passive M Sport ones) sees this X3 M50 losing much of the harshness of its 2.0-litre cousin when they are left in their 'Comfort' setting, doing a commendable job of isolating all from any sharp edges on the road.

The 3.0-litre six-cylinder under the bonnet of this BMW X3 M50 is not only responsive to throttle inputs, but is also one pleasing thing to listen to

Plenty useable

But that ride isn't the only consideration made to passenger comfort in this X3 M50. Take, for example, the fact that this car comes with a three-zone air-conditioning system - an upgrade from the two-zone system in the X3 20, and this car's sport seats also come upholstered in some soft Merino leather to boot.

Need your performance SUV to perform all the duties of a regular family hauler? Then you'll want to note that there's decent leg and knee room for rear passengers here, and while the X3 M50's boot (at 570 litres large) can't beat the 620-litre one found in the Mercedes-Benz GLC, it's still larger than the 520-litre one in the soon-to-arrive-here updated Audi Q5.

But the cabin isn't entirely without fault. As my colleague found when we first drove this car in Germany, I too thought the process to change your drive mode just involves too many button presses, and that scroll wheel on the right of the steering wheel feels like it should adjust the speaker volume instead of the layout of the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Need to move friends and family fast? This BMW X3 M50 should prove one capable number

And well-priced to boot

At $449,888, this BMW X3 M50 strikes as quite the appealing deal. Potential buyers will want to note that there's also a the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 available, which can be had from $462,888 (all prices inclusive of COE and as of 14 April 2025).

We'll reserve judgement on which is better until after we get our hands on both cars, of course, but take a cursory sweep through the specifications of both cars and you'll find that the Mercedes offers a touch more power alongside the aforementioned larger space for cargo and an arguably flashier infotainment system.

But those more inclined towards this BMW can take heart in the fact that this iteration of the firm's hallowed B58 3.0-litre engine has proved more than sufficient here, and if the handling prowess that we have witnessed today ranks high on your list of needs from a performance SUV, this car should prove one capable number.

In the market for a performance SUV? Be sure to also catch these reviews:

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