If ever there was a car made for South African roads – potholes, rogue roads, and the occasional domesticated animal crossing the highway – it’s the BMW X3.

• The BMW X3 blends performance, luxury, and practicality into a premium mid-size SUV package.
• Versatile and spacious, it’s as suited for the daily commute as it is for weekend getaways.
• With a refined interior and cutting-edge tech, the X3 delivers both comfort and connectivity.
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And with the latest version rolling off the production line at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn, Pretoria, the Bavarians have clearly been paying close attention to what South African drivers actually need. We took this premium Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) for a spin from the soggy streets of Johannesburg to the rain-kissed oasis of Sun City. The result? A drive that was equal parts luxury, adventure, and the occasional prayer whispered over a deep pothole.

First impressions matter, and the new BMW X3 has plenty of presence. The fourth-generation model boasts a more aggressive, monolithic design, with clean lines, a wider stance, and an unapologetic kidney grille that looks like it’s been lifting weights. BMW has also thrown in new L-shaped LED daytime running lights, just to make sure you don’t mistake it for anything else in your rear-view mirror.

Size-wise, it’s longer, wider, but somehow also lower than its predecessor – kind of like an athlete who’s been working on their core strength. The rear end is equally eye-catching with an integrated spoiler and flush-mounted window, making it look like a thoroughbred rather than a bloated SUV. Climb inside, and it’s clear BMW has been taking notes on what drivers really want.

Gone are the days of cheap plastics – BMW has opted for high-quality materials, including a new ‘Luxury’ instrument panel made from recycled polyester. Sport seats come standard, and if you’re into cruelty-free driving, Veganza (BMW’s fancy name for synthetic leather) is available at no extra cost. Space is generous, with boot capacity ranging from 570 litres to 1’700 litres – more than enough for luggage, golf clubs, or the occasional DIY furniture nightmare.

Technology-wise, the latest iDrive system with QuickSelect is intuitive and geared towards touch and voice control, meaning you can tell your car to change the radio station instead of fumbling with buttons. There’s also optional Augmented View navigation and a fixed panoramic sunroof – though BMW controversially decided to remove the ability to open it, citing ‘low usage’ data. Apparently, we’ve all been pretending to love sunroofs but never actually using them.

Under the hood, the X3 offers a range of powertrains, from efficient diesels to plug-in hybrids and the fire-breathing X3 M50 xDrive. Our test drive included the X3 30e xDrive, a plug-in hybrid that delivers 220 kW and up to 90 km of electric-only range. If you’re the kind of person who likes their SAV with a bit more bite, the X3 M50 xDrive punches out 293 kW from a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six, rocketing to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds.

BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system remains a standout, offering excellent grip in both wet and dry conditions. Our journey to Sun City was punctuated by torrential rain, but the X3 handled the slick roads like a champ, with adaptive suspension smoothing out the worst of South Africa’s unpredictable tarmac. And let’s not forget the return of run-flat tyres – a crucial feature for local drivers, given that changing a tyre on the side of the highway here is an extreme sport in itself.

BMW has packed the X3 with an arsenal of driver assistance features, including front collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. There’s even an optional Parking Assistant Professional, which allows you to park the car using your smartphone – because nothing says ‘boss move’ like reversing your X3 into a tight spot while casually sipping a hazelnut latte outside.

And it looks like BMW has managed to hit the sweet spot when it comes to pricing:

The new BMW X3 is a solid reminder of why this model has become BMW’s best-seller. It’s luxurious yet practical, sporty yet comfortable, and packed with tech that makes life easier (and, let’s be honest, more fun).

Would we consider one? Absolutely. Just make sure you opt for the run-flat tyres – because in South Africa, that’s not an option, it’s a necessity.

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