Drive any SUV over $100,000 and you expect it to be a well sorted package but that’s not always the case however the new BMW X3 M50 SUV at $128,900 is hard to top. l can hear you saying for that money it would want to be. However, the flagship of BMW’s best-selling X3 model is as good as it gets – BMW defines it as an SAV, not SUV, SAV standing for sports activity vehicle and its most apt. upgraded earlier this year the fourth generation BMW X3 now in four models, sits on the same wheelbase but is slightly longer and wider and 25mm lower giving it a sportier profile – utilising a 3.0-litre turbo petrol in-line six now with 48-volt mild hybrid boost – this adds another 18kW of power and a 40Nm torque boost from just 1900 revs. With an 8-speed ZF auto gearbox, BMW’s x-Drive all-wheel drive and adaptive dampers the X3 M50 is a stunning driver. Visually highlighted with large split kidney shaped grille, which tends to divide opinion, to me it’s far too large, now highlighted by contour lighting as standard. The BMW X3 M50 SAV just impressed the more I drove it.

IMAGE CREDIT / BMW Australia

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