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BMW's X3 30e xDrive delivers the Munich maker's plug-in technology in a practical, classy and very efficient package, though there's a premium price to pay. Still, you might well feel that this eco-minded mid-sized premium SUV could be all the car you'll ever need.
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Driving experience
It's easy to just think that this X3 xDrive30e carries over completely the powertrain from the brand's more familiar 330e. And to some extent it does, though with the X3, there's an incorporated AWD system. As with that car, this mid-sized SUV uses a 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol engine mated to an electric motor, integrated into the 8-speed Steptronic auto transmission. The big change with this G45-era model is the huge jump in battery size - from to 13kWh to 19.7kWh. And that in turn has facilitated a far more competitive EV driving range figure of up to 54 miles, 20 miles further than before. What this now means is that if you've a pretty typical daily commute, you might never have to fuel up this car to complete it.
Power output isn't much different from that of the previous G01-era PHEV X3; with this G45 design, it's rated at 299hp, with 450Nm of torque, though that top figure only comes with driver application of the available 'XtraBoost' function, which gives an extra burst of acceleration for overtaking. Overall, the performance stats are much as before, with 62mph reached in 6.2s on the way to 134mph flat out - or an 87mph max under EV power. As before, the main available drive modes are 'Sport', 'Hybrid' and 'Electric' - the latter able to be automatically activated in urban zones.
Have the drive dynamics been updated compared to the old G01 model? BMW says so. There's a lighter, stiffer structure with a wider rear axle and an almost completely redesigned suspension set-up (double-joint strut front axle suspension and 5-link rear). Adaptive damping continues as an option, but the brand has stopped short of fitting the air suspension and 4-wheel steering systems you'll find in some rivals. It wants these to be the preserve of the larger, more profitable X5. You should also notice more accurate steering, the old dual-pinion rack swapped for a new belt-driven set-up.
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Design and build
Unless you really know your BMWs, there's almost nothing to visually differentiate a 30e xDrive from any other X3. In G45-era form, this is certainly a bolder-looking kind of X3, fully conversant with BMW's latest rather divisive design language. It certainly makes the previous version look rather conservative. And it's bigger too - 34mm longer (at 4,755mm) and 29mm wider (at 1,920mm). Plus (unhelpfully you might think for an SUV) it now sits 25mm lower to emphasise the lower roof and sportier silhouette. There are sleeker LED headlights flanking kidney grilles that can be specified with glowing surrounds. At the rear, there's a more sculpted tailgate and the number plate has been relocated to the bumper.
The interior is an equally big step forward from the previous generation design, but you won't be surprised by it if you've tried any of the brand's other more recent models. The same large curved screen familiar from those reappears again here, incorporating a 12.3-inch driver's instrument display and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen. The latter runs the brand's latest OS9-generation infotainment system, though it can still be controlled by a rotary knob on the console, above which is an illuminated touch panel. Climate control is now adjusted by the kind of haptic 'Interaction Bar' we've lately seen on 5 and 7 Series models.
The steering wheel and gear selector have both been redesigned as part of the more sustainably-trimmed cabin's more contemporary feel. Interior ambience lighting changes with drive mode and there's the option of an upgraded Harmon Kardon sound system. Rear seat space is much as before - comfortable for a couple of adults but not ideal for three. The boot capacity of this PHEV is significantly down on a conventionally-engined X3, rated at 460-litres (down from 570-litres), extending to 1,600-litres with the seats folded (down from 1,700-litres).
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Market and model
Prices open at just over £57,000 for the 30e xDrive: which is actually fractionally less than the previous generation G01-era X3 30e xDrive cost when it finally left production. The asking price is around £8,000 more than BMW wants for a conventional diesel X3 20d xDrive. There's a choice of base 'xLine' or, for just over £2,000 more, the more dynamic-looking 'M Sport' version most will want.
Standard features include three-zone automatic climate control, acoustic glazing, 'Comfort Access' keyless entry, automatic tailgate operation, an electric folding mechanism for the exterior mirrors, and the 'BMW Live Cockpit Plus' twin-screen cabin set-up, complete with the cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system. BMW also includes ambient lighting featuring a Welcome and Goodbye Animation and a tray including wireless charging function for compatible smartphones.
The optional 'BMW Live Cockpit Professional' package adds a head-up display, and also an Augmented View function in the control display. Other optional equipment packs include the 'Comfort Package' which features lumbar support, a Harman Kardon surround sound system, 'Travel & Comfort System' front seat back attachments and Adaptive LED Headlights. The 'Comfort Plus Package' adds sun blinds for the rear side windows, active seat ventilation in the front and seat heating in the rear. Also found on the options list are a fixed panoramic glass sunroof, steering wheel heating, sun protection glass in the rear and a pre-heating function. The X3 30e xDrive comes with the BMW IconicSounds Electric for special sound effects.
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Cost of ownership
As we told you in our 'Driving' section, the installation of a larger 19.7kWh lithium-ion high-voltage battery means a potential electric driving range of as much as 54 miles. This PHEV also features regenerative braking to optimise efficiency. The system's high-voltage battery stores the energy captured during braking, with the electric motor taking on the function of a generator. The high-voltage battery also supplies the vehicle's electrical system.
As usual with Plug-in hybrids, the official WLTP combined cycle fuel figure - up to 282.5 on the combined cycle (up from 128.4mpg with the previous generation model) - needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, but the important thing is that the government believes the quoted CO2 return - up to 22g/km (up from 49g/km before). From home, AC charging time (0-100%) takes two hours 15 minutes. Out and about, the infotainment set-up's 'Intelligent Personal Assistant' voice-recognition software can answer questions like 'Where can I charge' and you can even use the sat nav system to reserve an electric charging station position ahead of time.
One feature we really like is 'Anticipatory Hybrid Drive'; this uses data from the navigation system to decide how to use the PHEV system. The car might automatically switch into all-electric mode through a low-speed school zone for example. Or use battery power when driving uphill if there's a long downhill stretch afterwards where the regeneration system can recharge the lithium-ion cells.
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Summary
Justifying this BMW PHEV on economic grounds will certainly require some deft work with the calculator. As with any plug-in model, fuel savings alone won't do it; but adding in the BiK tax reductions might be enough to make you take a second look at an X3 30e xDrive, even with its premium price tag. Did we ever think we'd be paying this much for a mainstream X3 model? Possibly not, but then did we ever think a decade ago that we'd have the chance to buy a petrol-powered one that could also offer an all-electric driving range of up to 54 miles?
Right here, right now, plug-in tech makes more sense for many people, more of the time than full-EV ownership. In the future, that'll change. For the present though, if you can afford it, this BMW makes a compelling case if you want a more sensible sort of X3.
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