Consider the X3 to be BMW’s Goldilocks offering. It’s not quite as big or expensive as the larger X5, but in terms of size and quality it’s an improvement over the X1 and X2. That generally still applies to the G45-chassis X3, which BMW introduced just last year. Despite being relatively new to the market, BMW is making no changes to the X3 for 2026. The lack of changes to the model is a little bittersweet; Nevertheless, the BMW X3 remains the first choice in the small SUV segment. You can probably pick one up today – production for the latest model year started in August 2025.
2026 BMW X3 engine, transmission and performance
All U.S. X3s now come standard with xDrive all-wheel drive, paired with BMW’s excellent eight-speed automatic and ZF paddle shifters. The lineup starts with the Step up to the X3 M50 and you get a turbocharged inline-six making 393 horsepower and 428 pound-feet. As usual, these numbers (and BMW’s conservative estimate of 4.4 seconds for the sprint) seem modest in the real world. An M Sport package is available for the X3 30 xDrive, but this represents a purely aesthetic upgrade.
2026 BMW X3 Fuel Economy and MPG
Like the rest of the BMW X3, the EPA numbers remain unchanged from last year. The EPA states that the four-cylinder BMW is also no problem for the more powerful M50. EPA testing yields 25 city, 30 highway and 27 mpg combined. Not bad for nearly 400 horsepower and over 4,000 pounds. Mercedes-Benz’s 2026 GLC performs worse (24/32/27), but the Porsche Macan is wiped out; The best MPG you will find there is 19/25/21. And it comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, just like the X3!
Interior and cargo space
Unfortunately, there are no changes inside for 2026. As we revealed in our X3 review, the overall quality of the X3’s interior is a bit questionable. We were hoping for a tweak or two to give the SUV a little more oomph and a luxury feel, but unfortunately that’s not the case. The good news is that the X3 is undeniably comfortable and comes with heated seats as standard. You can even choose leather – Merino leather costs an additional $1,500. We consider the $1,400 Convenience package mandatory, which includes a heated steering wheel, panoramic roof and more. Make sure you also equip the rear air conditioning – it’s inexplicably not standard and costs $200. The 2026 BMW X3 offers a total of 67.1 cubic feet of cargo space. That’s about the same as the Mercedes-Benz GLC and more than the Porsche Macan.
2026 BMW X3 technology and connectivity
The display layout remains the same as always and features a slim, curved panel that combines a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with a 10.7-inch central touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation and other core features are standard. When you use BMW’s iDrive OS 9 with QuickSelect, the interface feels responsive and easy to navigate, even when you leave your smartphone’s ecosystem. There’s also still a physical iDrive controller.
The optional Harman Kardon surround sound system is now $900, $25 more expensive than last year. Unfortunately, the base model of the X3 has the head-up display bundled with the $3,450 Premium package, so you’d better be prepared to pay more if you want the best technology available. The package itself isn’t much of a value, as it includes surround-view cameras, the aforementioned HUD, plenty of driver assistance gizmos, and more.
Safety and driver assistance functions
The BMW X3 2026 has everything that the previous year’s model offers. These include forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and blind spot detection. Parking Assist is no longer a standalone option; You must order the Premium package. The $1,700 Driver Assistance Professional Package includes Traffic Jam Assist and allows hands-free driving up to 40 miles per hour. We tested the technology in our review and it’s probably worth it if you’re constantly in traffic. Otherwise, skip it.
Prices for the BMW X3 2026
The starting price for the 2026 BMW X3 rises to $50,900 for the 30 xDrive and $65,900 for the M50. A base Porsche Macan starts at $64,600 and the new Mercedes GLC costs $49,550. In our opinion, the X3 is a sure-fire success; While the Porsche Macan is arguably better to look at and drive, its increasingly better dynamics and aesthetics don’t justify a $15,000 premium. For the money, we’d rather have a much faster X3 M50. We think you would too.
2026 BMW X3: Our opinion
The G45 X3 is far from perfect, but perfection is the enemy of good. The This happens quite often at BMW; If little changes from year to year, it’s usually because the original offering was pretty darn good to begin with. The gripes we have with the
