BMW X3 review – Practicality & boot space
Passenger and interior space in the BMW X3 are competitive against rivals
The X3 has a generously proportioned interior, running its bigger X5 brother close in terms of passenger room and boot space. However, there's no seven-seat option, so those in need of three seating rows will need to look elsewhere. Both the plug-in hybrid and the electric iX3 have slightly smaller boots than the petrol and diesel versions.
BMW X3 interior space & storage
The latest BMW X3 shares underpinnings with the BMW 5 Series saloon and Touring estate, which means an increased wheelbase (the distance between front and rear axles) compared to its predecessor.
This is great news when it comes to interior room and the X3 feels airy and spacious when you step inside – especially with the optional panoramic roof fitted. Drivers should have little trouble finding a comfortable position behind the height and reach-adjustable steering wheel, and any adjustment required isn’t unlikely to affect rear seat space too badly.
Space in the second row isn’t just for children, either. Adults will find no difficulty sitting in the rear; there’s just enough space for two six-footers to sit in tandem. It's wide enough for three to sit in comfort, though a certain degree of shoulder-clashing is inevitable if all three seats are occupied. Headroom is in plentiful supply front and rear, even if the aforementioned panoramic sunroof is specified.
Boot space
Raw numbers suggest that the X3's 550-litre boot is at a disadvantage compared to the Land Rover Discovery Sport's 981-litre boot. However, there are differences in how the two brands measure boot space, with Land Rover figures calculated with floor-to-ceiling loading in mind, so this observation is largely irrelevant.
In truth, the X3's boot is very well shaped and generously proportioned, and actually matches the Mercedes GLC exactly whether the rear seats are in use or not – both SUVs offer a maximum boot capacity of 1,550 litres. Interior stowage is more generous than the second-generation X3, too. Pick the BMW X3 xDrive30e and it's worth bearing in mind that the boot shrinks by 100 litres. A step in the boot floor and a lack of dedicated storage space for the charging cables are disappointing.
The electric iX3 takes a 40-litre hit over the standard petrol or diesel versions, too, though there is room (at a push) to store the leads beneath the boot floor.
Towing
The BMW X3 makes a fairly accomplished tow car, with the petrol, diesel and hybrid models all capable of pulling a braked trailer weighing up to 2,000kg – though even the iX3 can tow 750kg. A fully electric tow bar is a £850 option.
