DecodedCars2024 BMW X3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2024 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- M40i 4dr SUV, Xdrive30e PHEV 4dr SUV, Xdrive30i 4dr SUV, M 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 248–382 hp
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline, Hybrid
- MPG (best)
- 25 combined · 23 city / 29 hwy
- Length
- 185.4 in
- Curb weight
- 4,151–4,630 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 25 MPG combined, 12% below the 2024 small SUV average of 28.3 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 43 similar 2024 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2024 BMW X3 is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 185 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,229 lb (M40i 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (23 city / 29 highway), 12% worse than the 2024 small SUV average of 28.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2024
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2023 X3 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2023; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2023 X3 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Greer, South Carolina · Rosslyn, South Africa
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2024 X3 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M40i 4dr SUV | 185.4 in | 74.4 in | 66.1 in | 112.6 in | 63 / 63.8 in | 4,229 lb | 50/50 |
| Xdrive30e PHEV 4dr SUV | 185.4 in | 74.4 in | 66.1 in | 112.6 in | 63.8 / 64.6 in | 4,597 lb | 48/52 |
| Xdrive30i 4dr SUV | 185.4 in | 74.4 in | 66.1 in | 112.6 in | 63.8 / 64.6 in | 4,151 lb | 50/50 |
| M 4dr SUV | 185.4 in | 74.4 in | 66.1 in | 112.6 in | 63.8 / 64.6 in | 4,630 lb | 50/50 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X3 sDrive30i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 / 29 / 25 | -12% | $3,300 | 352 |
| X3 xDrive30i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | -4% | $3,400 | 369 |
| X3 M40i Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 26 / 23 | -8% | $3,550 | 378 |
| X3 M | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | -32% | $4,850 | 519 |
| X3 M Competition | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | -32% | $4,850 | 519 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2024 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 BMW X3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 17.1% |
| 2024 BMW X3 SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 17.2% |
Similar 2024 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 BMW X3 (this car) | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2024 Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 14 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2024 Tesla Model Y | 320 mi | Not rated | 5 |
| 2024 Porsche Cayenne | 19 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2024 BMW X5 | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 8 |
| 2024 Lexus RX | 36 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2024 Volvo XC90 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (3)
Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm · Aug 12, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V524000 · 13 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024-2026 X3 sDrive30i, X3 30 xDrive, and X3 M50 xDrive vehicles. The steering spindle may have been incorrectly attached to the steering column.
- Risk
- An incorrectly attached steering spindle can lead to a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the steering connection and replace hardware or replace the spindle and column, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 8, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 2, 2026.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Lock · Feb 20, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V106000 · 40,736 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2024 X3 sDrive30i and X3 xDrive30i vehicles. The second-row seat side door locking modules may not function properly and allow the doors to be unlocked with a single motion. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
- Risk
- Doors that can be inadvertently unlocked and unlatched may open unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury to rear seat occupants.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the second-row seat side door locking modules, free of charge. A letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on April 21, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 800-525-7417.
Steering · Nov 16, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V770000 · 201 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 2 Series Coupe (230i), 330i, X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i vehicles. The steering gear may not have been tightened properly, which can allow it to loosen.
- Risk
- A loose steering gear can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 11, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Not every 2024 BMW X3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2024 BMW X3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 12 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 6 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking — 5 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 17,903 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2024 BMW X3. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other X3 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 X3 | 29 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 22 |
| 2025 X3 | 29 | 187.4 in | ★★★★★ | 9 | 38 |
| 2023 X3 | 25 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 15 |
| 2022 X3 | 25 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 84 |
| 2021 X3 | 27 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 113 |
| 2020 X3 | 27 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 16 | 110 |
| 2019 X3 | 26 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 171 |
| 2018 X3 | 25 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 11 | 76 |
| 2017 X3 | 24 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 6 | 92 |
| 2016 X3 | 30 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 5 | 82 |
| 2015 X3 | 30 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 7 | 104 |
| 2014 X3 | 24 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 6 | 83 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →