2004 BMW X3 NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2004 BMW X3?
Jumping into the small crossover fray is the 2004 BMW X3, equipped to battle the Infiniti FX35, Land Rover Freelander, Lexus RX 330 and Volkswagen Touareg in what could be called the entry-luxury SUV market. With offbeat styling but a beautifully trimmed interior, the BMW X3 emphasizes on-road performance over off-road capability. Two models are available: the BMW X3 2.5i comes equipped with a 184-horsepower inline six-cylinder engine; the BMW X3 3.0i gets a 225-horsepower inline six. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a five-speed automatic is optional. Equipped with the manual transmission, the X3 3.0i is expected to accelerate from rest to 60 mph in about 7.7 seconds on the way to a top speed of 130 mph (140 with the optional Sport package). BMW's new xDrive all-wheel-drive system predicts exact power needs at each axle under all conditions, adjusting up to 100 percent of engine torque to the front or rear wheels before slippage occurs. Hill Descent Control (HDC), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and side curtain airbags are standard, and the X3 can haul up to 1,100 pounds of payload or a trailer weighing 4,400 pounds when properly equipped.

Advantages of the 2004 BMW X3:

• xDrive automatic all-wheel-drive lives up to the hype
• Standard HDC and DSC safety systems
• Smooth, torquey inline six engines
• Beautifully designed and crafted interior
• Emphasis on road-going rather than off-roading capability

Objections to the 2004 BMW X3:

• Rough ride quality
• Price skyrockets when options are added
• Styling not to everyone's taste

Editor's Advice:
Refreshingly, the BMW X3 is one of the few vehicles in recent memory that lives up to the hype surrounding its debut. The xDrive all-wheel-drive system is brilliant, and though the X3's primary mission is to achieve class-leading highway performance and stable handling regardless of weather conditions, it does reasonably well on all but the most difficult trails too. The X3 is comfortable, with a roomy cargo area, and a wide range of options that can push prices well into the mid-$40,000 range are available to suit a buyer's needs. Perhaps best of all, there's no iDrive controller sitting between the seats. We smell a hit for BMW.