BMW X3

The BMW X3 is a compact luxury crossover SUV manufactured by BMW since 2003, based on the BMW 3 Series platform. BMW markets the car as a Sports Activity Vehicle, the company's proprietary descriptor for its X-line luxury vehicles. The first-generation X3 E83 in 2003 was designed by BMW in conjunction with Magna Steyr of Graz, Austria—who also manufactured all X3s under contract to BMW. The BMW X3 (2003) was the first BMW model to officially introduce the xDrive system under this name. The car was the first mid-size, premium SUV on the market. In 2008, BMW started competing with the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class (renamed GLC-Class since 2016), and numerous other SUVs in this segment. BMW manufactured the second-generation X3 F25 in 2010 at their Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA. Starting with the third generation G01 in 2017, BMW South Africa's Rosslyn plant began production of the X3, alongside the Spartanburg plant, after the facility underwent a major upgrade to prepare for the X3 production, replacing the long-running 3 Series production in the plant. The battery electric model was sold as the BMW iX3. In 2019 the first BMW X3 M (F97) version fitted with a 3.0 L S58 was produced. The fourth-generation X3 G45 went into the production in 2024. The X3 is smaller than the X5 and X6, and bigger than the X1 and the X2. 1st Generation: E83 (2003–2010) 2nd Generation: F25 (2011–2017) 3rd Generation: G01/F97 (2017–2024) 4th Generation: G45 (2024–Present)