2026 · Compact luxury SUV

BMW X3: stopping, space, visibility and safety, measured

A 48-volt turbo four or a 393-hp inline six, with all-wheel drive on both.

Figures are for the X3 30 xDrive (2 trims in the catalog, listed below). Last checked Oct 3, 2026.

Open the X3 in the 3D lab

Where it stands among compact SUVs

#1 of 17Large suitcases, packed: 6
#1 of 15Braking 70–0 mph, tested: 155 ft
#2 of 17Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction: 336 ft
#2 of 17Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver: +1.8 in
#9 of 17Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year: $2,316/yr
#3 of 13Fastest you can stop inside the low beams: 77 mph

Ranked against the default trim of every compact SUV in the catalog that has the figure.

At a glance

Starting price, this trim	$52,650PublishedBMW
Powertrain	2.0 L turbo four (B48B20O2), Miller cycle, port and direct injection, 48-V motor in the transmission, mild hybrid · xDrive (rear-biased, electronically controlled front multi-plate clutch)
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	6.2 sTestedCar and Driver
Braking 70–0 mph, tested	155 ft (47.2 m)TestedCar and Driver
EPA combined	29 mpg (8.1 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Cargo behind the second row	31.5 cu ft (892 L)PublishedBMW
Large suitcases, packed	6Simulated from BMW
Seats	5Published
Crash ratings	NHTSA 4★ overall · IIHS Top Safety Pick+

Acceleration

Why some cars pin you to the seat and others just hum along.

Power	255 hp (190 kW)PublishedBMW
Torque	295 lb-ft (400 Nm)PublishedBMW
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	6.2 sTestedCar and Driver
0–60 mph, our simulation	6.2 sSimulated from Car and Driver
Passing, 50–70 mph	4.4 sTestedCar and Driver
Quarter mile	14.6 sTestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Shove

Braking and stopping distance

The distance between "I saw it" and "I stopped" decides everything.

Braking 70–0 mph, tested	155 ft (47.2 m)TestedCar and Driver
Braking 60–0 mph, tested	108 ft (32.9 m)TestedMotorTrend
Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	336 ft (102.3 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Dry road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	258 ft (78.5 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Packed snow from 30 mph, 1 s reaction	223 ft (67.9 m)Simulated from Car and Driver

Watch it in The Stop

Rollover

Where the weight sits decides how easily a car falls over.

NHTSA rollover rating	4★ · 16.9% riskTestedNHTSA
Sideways slide that trips it into a roll	11 mph (18 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs
Static stability factor (half-track ÷ CoG height)	1.22Simulated, estimated inputs

Watch it in The Tipping Point

Efficiency and running costs

At highway speed most of your energy is spent shoving air.

EPA combined	29 mpg (8.1 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year	$2,316/yrDerivedEPA
Steady 75 mph, our simulation	32 mpg (7.3 L/100 km)Simulated, estimated inputs
Drag coefficient	0.27PublishedBMW

Watch it in The Invisible Wall

Grip, snow and maneuvering

Four palm-sized patches of rubber. Every maneuver spends their grip.

Skidpad grip, tested	0.91 gTestedCar and Driver
Cornering grip, our simulation	0.91 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Pulling away on packed snow	0.18 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Turning circle	40.0 ft (12.2 m)PublishedBMW
Ground clearance	8.5 in (22 cm)PublishedBMW
Tires	Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 ★ 255/40R21 · 285/35R21 · 255/40R21 · 285/35R21TestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Grip Budget

Space, luggage and fit

Will your knees, your luggage and your kids actually fit?

Seats	5Published
Large suitcases, packed	6Simulated from BMW
Carry-ons in the space left	0Simulated from BMW
Cargo behind the second row	31.5 cu ft (892 L)PublishedBMW
Cargo, seats folded	67.1 cu ft (1,900 L)PublishedBMW
Towing	4,001 lb (1,815 kg)PublishedCar and Driver (Chrome Data)
Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver	+1.8 in (4 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Driver head room, 5 ft 11 in driver	+4.1 in (10 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Driver head room, 5 ft 4 in driver	+7.0 in (18 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Rear head room, 5 ft 11 in passenger	+2.9 in (7 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in	+2.1 in (5 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Rear head and knee, 6 ft 4 in behind 6 ft 4 in	+0.3 in head · −2.2 in kneeSimulated, estimated inputs
Front head room, published	40.5 in (103 cm)PublishediSeeCars
Rear head room, published	38.2 in (97 cm)PublishediSeeCars
Rear leg room, published	36.3 in (92 cm)PublishediSeeCars

Watch it in Live In It

Visibility

Every car hides some of the road. How much, and who could be standing in it?

Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver	24 ft (7.3 m)Simulated
Ground visible within 33 ft ahead	33%Simulated

Watch it in Can You See Me?

Headlights and night stopping

IIHS measured how far these headlights reach. Can you stop inside that light?

IIHS headlight rating	AcceptableTestedIIHS
Low beams, straight road (right edge)	358 ft (109.1 m)TestedIIHS
Fastest you can stop inside the low beams	77 mph (124 km/h)Simulated from IIHS
High beams, straight road (right edge)	369 ft (112.5 m)TestedIIHS

Watch it in After Dark

Crash safety

Official crash ratings side by side, and the physics of what happens when two cars meet.

NHTSA overall	4★TestedNHTSA
IIHS small overlap front	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS moderate overlap front (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS side (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS award	2026 Top Safety Pick+PublishedIIHS
Curb weight	4,246 lb (1,926 kg)TestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Impact

X3 compared

Trims in the catalog

X3 30 xDrive · from $52,650 · figures on this page
X3 M50 xDrive · from $67,850

Other compact SUVs

Sources

Badges: Published figures come from the maker, a regulator or a rating agency; Tested from an independent instrumented test; Simulated are computed by our physics from those inputs (how); Estimate means no published value exists. Confirm figures with the maker or your dealer before you buy.