A X3 F21 facelift 2014 📷 BMW

Quick information

🏎️ BMW X3 2nd gen. F25 facelift 2014
📍 Germany
🛠️ xDrive 20d 2.0 380NM 184HP
💨 8,5 seconds
🔝 210km/h
💶 No longer on sale

What is it?

The BMW F25, the second generation of the X3, is a medium-sized premium SUV presented in 2010 as a replacement for the E83. After receiving a facelift in 2014 (pictured), its production ended in 2017 when the G01 was introduced. This car is a direct competitor to the Mercedes GLC and Audi Q5.

Design

Than before, the new aesthetic lines seem to be closer to those of a luxury car than to those of an off-road vehicle; an example of this is the reduction in the size of the bumpers. In general, the lines are less squared and the car body takes on a more refined design. The F25 became more premium than the E83 also to leave a slice of the market at the newly released X1, which since 2009 has been the new entry-level of BMW SUVs. Measuring 4,64 x 1,88 meters, the F25 is 8cm longer and 3cm wider than the E83, and the boot capacity has increased from 480 to 550 liters.

Interior

📷 BMW

Very similar to that of other contemporary BMWs, the interior has a high degree of customization with the possibility of adding finishes of various materials (including fine wood). The infotainment was revised on the occasion of the 2017 facelift, in which it became a touch screen. In both generations the display is however adjustable by the appropriate “iDrive” knob. The car is well soundproofed and there is enough space for five people.

Safety

Crash test of a 2011 BMW X3 F25 📷 Euro NCAP

Thanks to the adoption of a vehicle body with programmed deformation and very advanced anti-collision information systems, the BMW X3 F25 managed to obtain the maximum score of five stars in the Euro NCAP test. The car defends not only passengers, but also pedestrians: the bonnet, for example, has been programmed to rise slightly in the event of a collision to reduce the impact power for those who suffer it from the outside.

Mechanics

The F25 is based on the 3 Series E90 platform and comes with innovative xDrive technology, which guarantees the correct distribution of torque between the four driving wheels in every situation according to the car’s grip on the ground. For the first time on a BMW SUV, a steering with electromechanical servo control was adopted. The first engines present were two, a diesel baseline and a petrol semi-sports car. The diesel, called xDrive20d, has a power of 184HP; the petrol, the xDrive35i, is a 306HP supercharged. The range of engines was enriched over time.

Evolution

📷 BMW

Between the end of 2010 and mid-2012, in order of appearance, the following versions made their debut: xDrive28i with 258HP naturally aspirated engine; xDrive30d 258HP turbodiesel weakened a few years later to 245HP and (the displacement passed from 3.0 to 2.0); xDrive20i from 184HP, exactly like from 20d but with petrol; 313HP xDrive35d;  and finally the new 143HP sDrive18d baseline. Not all engines were present in all countries where the F25 was sold. In the small facelift that took place in 2014, the interiors and exteriors were retouched, and some engines were slightly enhanced.

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