BMW X3 (G45) review: an all-new SUV with a not-yet-proven track record in Bahrain
motorssouq Editorial Team
The G45 X3 is a genuine step forward on space, technology and outright pace over the G01 it replaces, and the xDrive30i's 258 hp makes it noticeably quicker than the outgoing base model. The honest caveat is unknowns: it is too new for Bahrain's independent workshops to have a service history on it, and the previous generation's well-worn reputation for costly out-of-warranty repairs has not yet been tested on this one. Buyers who value a known quantity should still look hard at a late G01; buyers who want the newest thing will not be disappointed by how it drives.
Pros
- Cabin and technology lifted from the larger, newer 5 Series
- 258 hp mild-hybrid engine is noticeably quicker than the outgoing base model
- Standard xDrive gives confident traction on Bahrain's sandy road margins
- Meaningfully more rear-seat and cargo space than the G01
Cons
- Too new for any real reliability track record in Bahrain
- Previous generation's costly out-of-warranty repair reputation is untested on this platform
- Fewer independent workshops familiar with it yet, keeping owners tied to dealer service
- Options can push the price close to the X5's entry point
BMW gave the fourth-generation X3 a longer wheelbase, a wider track and a cabin lifted almost wholesale from the new 5 Series, including the curved display and crystal-effect controls. It is a meaningfully larger car inside than the G01 it replaces, closing much of the gap to the X5 in rear-seat space and cargo capacity.
Driving impressions
The xDrive30i's 48V mild-hybrid system fills in torque at low revs more smoothly than the outgoing turbo-only engine, and the standard all-wheel drive is confidence-inspiring on the loose sand margins found off most of Bahrain's rural roads. Steering feel remains a strength relative to a Lexus NX or Audi Q5 of the same size.
The reliability question
This is the honest gap in any early review: the G45 is too recent for meaningful ownership data from Bahrain's roads or workshops. The previous G01 generation earned a reputation for costly electronics and suspension work once out of warranty, and buyers should not assume that history automatically improves on a redesigned platform. Sticking with BMW's dealer network through the warranty period is the sensible approach for early adopters.