BMW X3 2024

The big-selling BMW X3 will enter its fourth generation in 2024, taking the fight to the recently revealed Mk2 Mercedes-Benz GLC with new powertrains, refreshed styling and a completely overhauled cabin. 

The new SUV, which has been caught testing on public roads around BMW’s German headquarters, looks to be getting a bigger front grille than its predecessor, with holes in the bottom of the camouflage suggesting that it will take up at least half of the nose area.

It won’t be as extreme as the BMW 4 Series, however, if the more subtly styled BMW X1 crossover – revealed in May – is any indication. The slim-line LED headlights look to draw a link between the X3 and the new range-topping BMW 7 Series. 

At the rear, a similar look to the current X3 is evident, one difference being the lights, the prototype sporting a more circular design. However, with most of the rear covered in camouflage, it's difficult to say whether these will replace the current generation’s sleek LED units.

Further details are thin on the ground, but expect newly added tweaks such as the brushed metal grille and 'J-blades’ for the daytime running lights to be upgraded. 

The interior is also expected to be totally revamped. The facelifted model received a large, free-standing 12.3in touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard to set it apart from the 2017-spec X3. But the new-generation car is expected to follow the iX and 7 Series flagships in adopting a much more minimalistic set-up throughout - aided by flush haptic controls and an advanced touchscreen interface running BMW’s latest-generation iDrive software.

The new X3 will continue to use BMW's Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform, which was designed to accommodate mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric powertrains from the off. 

This will allow it to be released with a mix of four-cylinder and six-cylinder petrol engines, some of which are most likely to get hybrid assistance, while a similarly styled version of the Chinese-built iX3 EV will follow it into showrooms - potentially with improved range and performance figures. 

BMW has only just updated the current generation X3, so the new model isn't expected to be revealed until the end of 2023, ahead of a launch in early 2024, when it's likely to be priced from around £50,000.

Oct 12, 2022 at 7:50am ET

There’s not a single day passing by without BMW having something new under development. The Bavarian company currently has a number of new products in the works and one of these vehicles is the next-generation X3. It’s been on the road for pre-production tests since the summer of this year and the test pilots and engineers are now at the Nurburgring for a high-speed test session onboard the new SUV.

Obviously, this is still an early prototype of the high-riding model as it features provisional headlights and taillights. The shape of the clusters at the front is not final and we expect to see sharper units with standard LED technology and optional LED matrix or laser lights. The amount of camouflage on this trial vehicle is very high and it’s difficult to tell what the design of the front end will be, though we have the feeling there will be influences coming from the XM performance SUV.

Gallery: Next-gen BMW X3 new spy photos

Riding on large Continental tires, this disguised X3 looks surprisingly composed on the Nurburgring with minimal body roll. These distant shots suggest the luxury crossover will grow in size, but the photos make it difficult to determine how much larger it will be. We don’t expect the change in dimensions to be significant as that would put the X3 closer to X5 territory creating potential cannibalism within the company’s lineup.

We know, however, that the new X3 will continue with a wide range of engine options, which will include gasoline, diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models. Given the X3’s expected market launch around the end of next year, it could become one of BMW’s final Euro 6-compliant models to be released on the market. The stricter Euro 7 emissions standard on the European continent is expected to come into effect in the middle of the decade.

Some of the spy photos above provide a very early glimpse of the interior, though the dashboard is covered with camouflage. We can still see a large screen behind the steering wheel, which suggests the new X3 will get the same dual-screen setup as most of BMW’s recent models. The firm’s iDrive 8 infotainment software could be considered a given at this point.

Source: Automedia

Are BMW bringing out a new X3?

Is BMW X3 getting a facelift?

Is X3 2022 worth it?

When did BMW redesign the X3?