BMW X3 M50 | Test Drive

3 November 2025 Redazione News, Tested

Words Federico Madia / Photos Jay Tomei

BMW has truly revolutionized one of its most successful models. It’s a lineup in which it’s easy to get lost at first glance, but with a bit of patience and a knack for decoding suffixes, prefixes and badges, you’ll soon find yourself looking at a model that seems tailor-made for your needs.

In my case, I came pretty close—because at the time of our test, a full-blown X3 M isn’t yet available. The M50, however, plays the crucial role of a high-performance SUV that still manages to coexist perfectly with everyday life, with no limits other than the end of the tarmac. Much more urban — both in terms of looks and road manners — than the one that in 2006 was born as the little sibling of the X5. Today, twenty years later and now at its fourth generation, the new X3 is actually larger than the first-generation X5 and not by a small margin. It has grown significantly over time, even compared to the outgoing generation. The current X3 stretches to almost 4.8 meters (4,755 mm) in length, emphasizing a minimalist muscularity thanks to the removal of the plastic cladding that once surrounded the wheel arches. These are now seamlessly integrated into a much sleeker overall profile.

Look at it from any angle and there’s no deception: the X3 is a car of substantial size. It sits at least two steps above the X1 and X2 in BMW’s SUV hierarchy. Here we have a more traditional SUV shape, with a large rear tailgate and generous interior space for five adults and plenty of luggage. The headlights have been redesigned, as well as the signature kidney grille, which at a quick glance could almost be mistaken for that of BMW’s electric variants. There’s also an optional illuminated frame, some may not love it, but it definitely creates a striking visual impact, especially at night. The rear end is equally imposing and in our test car it’s impossible not to notice the two pairs of exhaust pipes and the M50 badge, which clearly signal that there’s serious power under the hood.

The updated CLAR platform and a mild-hybrid setup with a 48V electric motor don’t detract from the available performance. Up front lies a classic BMW powerhouse: a 3.0-liter inline-six TwinPower Turbo delivering 381 horsepower, supplemented by 18 electric horses for a combined total of 398 hp. Start it up — even in Normal mode — and it’s immediately clear you’re dealing with an X3 that’s been hitting the gym. Switch to Sport and the M50 rolls up its sleeves to flex some serious muscle. It’s hefty, around two tons, but the 580 Nm of torque and the ever-ready all-wheel-drive system make short work of what you might think are physical limits.

Unsurprisingly, the cabin quickly becomes a place you’ll want to spend time in. The seats are more comfortable than your favorite armchair, now officially demoted. The sport steering wheel is thick and soft, while the paddle shifters are perfectly sized and finished with some red rubber inserts for added grip and sportiness. The revs climb faster than expected and those who buy an X3 primarily as a refined family SUV will still appreciate the dual wireless charging pads, cutting-edge infotainment and augmented-reality navigation that keeps you perfectly on route. The truth is, you’ll probably get home earlier than expected not because you’re lost, but because the M50 is genuinely fast, even while maintaining remarkable comfort. And it does all this without the hardcore suspension setup that will be reserved for the upcoming X3 M. In the end, fuel consumption sits at around 9.9 liters per 100 km when driven calmly, but what impressed me the most is its adaptability. Somehow, the M50 manages to blend long-distance serenity, like sitting in a Zen garden, with the ability to tear through mountain switchbacks as if weight and size simply didn’t matter.

Credit goes to the M Sport differential, but even more so to the powerful braking system, with oversized discs that make spirited performance possible without crying for mercy after a few kilometers. The 8-speed Steptronic gearbox is perfectly tuned – especially in Normal mode – but this raises the question: who exactly is the typical M50 customer, at least until the proper X3 M arrives? The answer, as it turns out, is simpler than expected and once again hidden in BMW’s endless options list. The new X3 starts at around €65,000, but that’s for a very different model: a 2.0-liter with 208 horsepower: perfect for about 80% of drivers out there. But for people like us? First, you’ll need about €30,000 more – roughly €91,000 – but in return, you get a truly serious powertrain and a configuration that will satisfy 95% of enthusiasts. As for the remaining 5%, those who want it all as extreme as possible, price is irrelevant. Another hundred or so horsepower and a sharper chassis will deliver the universal truth that M is, and always will be, the most important letter in the BMW alphabet.