The middle pedal of the three under foot worked with astonishing clarity, stopping the X3 like few other SUVs. Cessation of movement was achieved with a rapidness generally reserved for rides in the sports car
category, not the SUV segment, especially examples supplying a full 8 inches of ground clearance. The powerful 4-wheel antilock disc brakes arresting the X3 performed flawlessly during emergency stops, but with a pedal that felt over-sensitive for my liking.
Advanced driving techniques emphasize steering around danger rather than snapping on the brakes and either losing control or colliding with an obstacle too close to avoid through braking alone. Drivers applying advanced avoidance techniques will surely appreciate the ability of the X3 to steer its way to safety. Turn-in is again more sports-car-like than SUV-like when equipped with BMW's Sport Package. The well-balanced X3 chassis held no surprises when pushed hard during evasive maneuvers. If the outstanding handling dynamics of the X3 aren't enough to ward off a loss of control, BMW's electronic anti-skid stability program will intervene in a collective effort to restore order. More so than in any other SUV I have put through the rigors of a road test, I felt confident about the X3's ability to hold the road and remain shiny side up.
In addition to impressive performance dynamics, BMW has filled the X3
with comfort and convenience amenities such as the optional Panorama Roof, which is a massive opening sunroof. My tester's Sport Package included firm, heavily bolstered supportive sport seats and a sport steering wheel, the combination of which gives the X3 a driving position and ergonomics more inline with BMW's 3-Series than an SUV. And I guess that's the whole objective: an SUV with the soul of a performance car.
Although the X3 isn't equipped with low-range gearing, BMW hasn't just stuck all-wheel drive components beneath a station wagon. No, the X3's off-road prowess arises from BMW's highly sophisticated xDrive, intelligent all-wheel-drive technology, which includes a downhill decent mode... and did I mention the eight inches of ground clearance?
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| Cessation of movement was achieved with a rapidness generally reserved for rides in the sports car category. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) |
Advanced driving techniques emphasize steering around danger rather than snapping on the brakes and either losing control or colliding with an obstacle too close to avoid through braking alone. Drivers applying advanced avoidance techniques will surely appreciate the ability of the X3 to steer its way to safety. Turn-in is again more sports-car-like than SUV-like when equipped with BMW's Sport Package. The well-balanced X3 chassis held no surprises when pushed hard during evasive maneuvers. If the outstanding handling dynamics of the X3 aren't enough to ward off a loss of control, BMW's electronic anti-skid stability program will intervene in a collective effort to restore order. More so than in any other SUV I have put through the rigors of a road test, I felt confident about the X3's ability to hold the road and remain shiny side up.
In addition to impressive performance dynamics, BMW has filled the X3
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| My tester's Sport Package included firm, heavily bolstered supportive sport seats and a sport steering wheel. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) |
Although the X3 isn't equipped with low-range gearing, BMW hasn't just stuck all-wheel drive components beneath a station wagon. No, the X3's off-road prowess arises from BMW's highly sophisticated xDrive, intelligent all-wheel-drive technology, which includes a downhill decent mode... and did I mention the eight inches of ground clearance?