BHPian CEF_Beasts recently shared this with other enthusiasts:2025 BMW X3 (G45) TD ExperienceWith the G45 X3, BMW introduced the 4th Generation of their best-selling SAV world-over. BMW India showcased and launched the car at the Bharat Mobility Expo held in Jan 2025 for a starting price of 75.80L Being an owner of the G01 X3, I was keen to understand what all has BMW “improved” with the G45 X3, but couldn’t visit the Bharat Mobility Expo to check out the car. A few months passed and the G45 X3 was given to media houses to test-out, but only in the tried-and-tested B47 20d guise, the same engine which has been doing duty in BMW cars for quite a while now. Having the G01 X3 in 30i guise, I was longing to test out BMW’s B48 engine, but in its detuned state (20i) of tune. The G45 X3 in India gets the 48V mild hybrid setup with both engine options. Had been getting messages over WA from Infinity to come and test-drive the new X3. Finally towards end of May, I was able to take out time and fixed up a TD of the G45 X3 20 with Infinity Worli. Design wise, pictures simply don’t do justice to the new X3, unless you view it in person. It’s imposing and you can’t mistake it for anything else on the road.What I LikedVery easy to drive, masks its size well from behind the wheel, just doesn’t feel like a ~4.8m long SUV.Imposing design language and is unmistakable for anything else out there on the roadGets a laundry list of features; Ventilated seats, Augmented reality Navigation, 360 Camera, Park Assist with 50m Reverse Assistance, 360 In-built Live Dashcam, Multiple colours of Ambient Lighting, a large moonroof, Harman/Kardon 17 Speaker Audio system etc.Retains the likeable Adaptive suspension, which helps in choosing the right balance between comfort and sportiness for different road conditionsThe Moonroof is a much better option than a Sunroof, since it requires far less maintenance, considering there are no seals or drainage that need replacing/cleaning after a few yearsSpace-saver is nicely tucked in the boot and doesn’t cause the boot-floor to be raised like it is in the G01 X3BMW India has discarded the RFTs for a set of tubeless Vredestein tiresAvailable in the fully loaded MSport guise, for India. Pre-LCI G01 X3’s were introduced only in the Luxury Line, XLine and SportX guises, with the MSport guise inconspicuously being missing till the LCI G01 X3 was launchedWhat I LoathedAbsolutely pathetic quality of plastic used throughout the cabin, the switchgear just doesn’t justify the premium price tag compared to the aluminium switchgear in my G01 X3Front seats feel narrower and more body hugging compared to the G01’s front seatsThe dashboard and door cards are covered in quilted fabric, which feels horrible to touch and will be loaded with dust in no timeFeels very expensive at 90-92L OTR, considering the G01 was sold at 75L OTR inclusive of 5yrs BSI+ service package and 3yrs Extended Warranty, just 4 years backThe 190hp Petrol is underpowered for the price when compared to competitors like the GLC 300 and even the age old Q5 45 TFSI. The 20i spec feels strained once you start pushing itEverything is jammed into the touchscreen making it a cumbersome task to operate some very basic functionalities, including something as basic as headlightsThe exterior design of the G45 X3 especially in Sapphire Black is unmistakable for anything else on the road and the front end is imposing, compared to the G01 X3 The car inside the showroom, in its launch colour, Dune Grey Metallic, this was something different and I quite liked it! Don’t miss the illuminated border on the grill, present in almost all new age BMWs Looks quite good in this MSport guise and is the only variant on offer Just like the front profile, the rear end is also distinctive and the number plate housing has now been shifted to the bumper unlike it being present on the bootlid on the previous generation X3s. The xDrive badge is no longer displayed on the exterior, since it’s standard with both engine options, unlike the global model which does get the xDrive badge on the tailgate The B48 for the Indian Market is offered in 20i guise which puts out 190hp and 310Nm, down from the 30i’s 252hp and 350Nm. I had driven to Worli via the Sea-link and Coastal Road, drove the X3 G45 back-to-back on the coastal road and immediately felt the drop in power, there are no two ways about it. The B48 motor in 20i guise, both the B47 & B48 motors now come mated to a 48V mild hybrid setup in the G45 X3. Don’t miss the cost-cutting done by not providing a protective trim over the headlights This is how it’s in my G01 X3 It was Mercedes-Benz India who had done this earlier with the GLC, never expected BMW India to go down the same path, Mercedes-Benz corrected their mistake with the new GLC ! The switch to tubeless tires has made a world of a difference! Gone is that underlying stiffness I experience in my G01 X3, this one rounds of bumps much better. Best part is BMW has retained the same tire size as the G01 X3 on the G45 – 245/50/R19s. There was dearth in options in the market for a replacement in this size, but BMW has chosen Vredestein as their OEM tubeless tire and is the one which I’ll probably go with when I ditch my RFTs. Vredestein Tubeless rubber in 245/50/R19. An excellent choice to move away from the harsh RFTs. Can’t help but notice how similar the allow wheel design is to the GLC sold in India The less I say about the drop in quality, the better… The switchgear feels like it has been borrowed from Maruti Suzuki and just lacks the premium feel one would expect to get from a 90 Lakh product. Surprisingly the same plastic window switches are also present in the M5 G90. The G60/G68 5er also got the same plastic window switches, but after strong criticism they switched over to glass switches, which atleast have some premium feel to them, but still can’t match the Aluminium switchgear found in older G-Series BMWs. BMW has globally acknowledged that the X3 G45 will also be getting the same glass switches as the 5er, starting from MY26, after hearing customer feedback. The dashboard is tilted towards the driver, in typical BMW fashion, the lack of any physical button on the dashboard is concerning! BMW is offering two interior colour choices; Brown and Beige with Vegan Leather Upholstery. According to the SA, the brown interior colour is what most of the stock is coming with. The TD car had a beige interior. The new design steering wheel is of perfect thickness and a pleasure to hold, wish the engine was as potent though Plastic galore, the switchgear wouldn’t look out of place in a Maruti Suzuki. The touch-operated air-flow control for the side AC vents, lock/unlock button and seat memory buttons are a pain to operate. The door handle feels particularly cheap Sad looking window controls Thankfully glass has been used on the centre console instead of plastic. The gear toggle instead of a gear joystick robs the real feel of driving a BMW Whatever this fabric look-alike material is, it’s an absolute dust magnet. Other than the seats, door pads and centre armrest, there is no leather present anywhere else The G01’s interior still looks contemporary 7 years since its launch with a perfect balance of physical buttons and a touchscreen. Don’t miss the aluminium-finished switchgear. The boot is well shaped with 550L of space and there is no loading lip, thanks to the space-saver spare been tucked away properly in its slot. The G01’s boot floor is raised to accommodate the space-saver spare wheelCONCLUSIONBMW products have always been known for their driving dynamics, but with each generation they have been going softer and softer. With the latest generation they have gone just too soft! Gone is the driving dynamics of a true-blue BMW and in comes comfort and tons of gimmicky technology. The detuned engine is the party-pooper and just feels out of breath when you push it! But I guess BMW India has realised that new buyers don’t want power in the mainstream models, they just want the latest technology. It’s a sad departure from ‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’ On the technology aspect, I have to give it to BMW, they have hit the ball out of the park! You name it and the car has that feature, makes the G01 X3 feel almost 2 generations older on the tech front! The price is unfathomable though, 90Lakhs for a 2.0L petrol churning out just 190ps is an abomination. The engine feels breathless quite soon and Sport mode in the G45 X3 is the G01 X3 30i’s Comfort mode, the difference is that predominant! I’ll keep my G01 X3 for as long as it’s possible, because they just don’t make cars like these anymore. Period. A few years back, I would’ve hated myself for saying this, but BMW has left me no choice; the Mercedes-Benz GLC300 is a more well-rounded package and is something I would pick if I had 90 Lakhs. With the underpowered X3, BMW has differentiated the X5 40i quite well. The additional 40 Lakhs over the X3, for an X5, feels worth every penny. A word about the dealership: The newly revamped space was very contemporary and inclined towards welcoming the younger crowd. The SA was welcoming and extremely knowledgeable, always eager to answer all questions regarding the various products. In case anyone is looking for a BMW from Infinity Worli, I can DM you his number.Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
