BMW X3 Model History

Introduced as smaller luxury crossover to coordinate with the successful BMW X5, the BMW X3 made its North American debut for the 2004 model year. Four inches shorter in total length than the X5, the compact 2004 BMW X3 debuted with a 2.5i and 3.0i model. A 184-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-six engine powered the 2004 BMW X 3 2.5i while the X3 3.0i model is outfitted with a 3.0-liter inline-six engine generating 225 horsepower. The brands xDrive all-wheel drive was standard with every 2004 BMW X3 crossover vehicle. 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, leather wrapped steering wheel and heated exterior mirrors were standard on the 2004 X3. The BMW X3 crossover vehicles 2.5-liter engine was dropped following the 2005 model year. Accompanying an exterior restyle, the 2007 model year version of the BMW X3 3.0si had performance hiked up to 260 horsepower. Left largely unchanged for several model years, the 2011 X3 received a massive makeover. Featuring smoother bodylines, the 2011 BMW X3 was longer and taller than the previous generation model. For 2011, the BMW X3 was offered in an xDrive28i model equipped with a 240-horsepower, naturally aspirated 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine and an xDrive35i version with a turbocharged 3.0-liter engine producing 300-horsepower. The five-passenger interior of the 2011 BMW X3 also provides 27.6 cubic feet of space for cargo with the rear seat up. An eight-speed automatic transmission is equipped with the 2011 X3 xDrive35i model. In 2013, a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter engine on the BMW X3 xDrive28i provided 240 horsepower and fuel economy up to 28 miles per gallon. Standard equipment such as ambient lighting, BMW eCall and BMW TeleService was added for 2014.