Review 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i the X3’s interior is hard to overlook SORRY-EXCUSE FOR A INTERIOR
Not having had time to really soak-in the new exterior shape, I hopped aboard the redesigned ute to be greeted by perhaps the most disappointing car interior since the Chevy Camaro. With the exception of some Fisher Price-grade canoe wood trim, the X3’s cabin is drab and monotone. Known for having Spartan interiors, this cockpit looks like it was inspired by one of the ancient Greek soldiers’ barracks.
The seats have little if no shape to them, meaning they don’t do a great job holding you in place in the corners. They do a worse job of looking halfway decent. As for the rear seat area, it’s a flat and bland expanse of hard, coarse , as devoid of passion as a desert is of water.
FAST FACTS
1. Powered by a turbocharged inline-six the xDrive35i makes 300-hp and 300 lb-ft of torque at just 1200 rpm, delivering a 0-60 mph time of just 5.5 seconds.
2. Roughly the same size as the original , the new X3 adds more interior room and cargo room at with 19.4 cu-ft behind the rear seat 56.6 cu-ft total.
3. The new X3 starts at $36,750 or $41,050 for the 300-hp xDrive35i model.
The problem stems from one critical error on the part of the BMW interior designers. It’s obvious that the dash plastics were intended to mimic the look of the leather, but the converse effect is achieved. Overall, it makes even the RDX cockpit look stylish, and it’s simply nowhere close to the Q5 or EX. To be fair, we do have to wonder if a different choice of leather might help alleviate our displeasure with the monotone cockpit.
At least there’s nothing bad to say about the iDrive system. Panned for over a decade since it was first introduced, BMW was forced to take notice and make big changes. The result is what might just be the most intuitive and easy to use such system in the business, with the iDrive control knob so ideally located, anything else feels unnatural.
The iDrive system is standard, although you’ll have to pay extra for navigation, which also comes with a larger 8.8-inch display screen. The space at the top of the center stack is meant for the bigger unit too, and on base there’s the distinct feeling that something is missing.
As for the audio, this Bimmer, like all the rest deserves applauds with excellent quality and near-defending output.