News / 11 February 2025 / Michael Taylor

Next-gen BMW X3 officially goes on sale in South Africa – Pricing

The next-generation BMW X3 has officially gone on sale in South Africa, ushering in a new era for one of the carmaker’s most popular product.

The X3 is available in five derivatives with three different engines, and prices start at R1,136,417.

Engines

The powertrain collection for the new X3 kicks off with the 20d – a 2.0-litre, turbocharged diesel engine with 145kW and 400Nm.

The 20d has an average fuel consumption of 6.2l/100km and allows the SUV to sprint to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 215km/h.

Next up is the 30e – a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option that combines a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol block with an electric motor.

The result is a combined output of 220kW and 450Nm, letting this version of the X3 race to 100km/h in a shorter 6.2 seconds.

Since it is a PHEV, it can also travel for 90km on just electricity thanks to a 17.9kWh battery, though this mode limits the top speed to 140km/h.

BMW claims that the 30e’s fuel consumption can drop as low as 1.1l/100km, provided operators make extensive use of its electric mode, as the petrol system otherwise burns 7.9l/100km.

Finally, there’s the M50, a performance model with access to a 3.0-litre, turbo-petrol mill generating 280kW and 540Nm.

The M-badged vehicle can make it to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds, and it has a higher top speed of 250km/h, though it is also the thirstiest of the pack with a fuel stat of 8.2l/100km.

Regardless of which model you go for, the X3 employs an eight-speed automatic gearbox and the xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

Features

The Munich-based carmaker has made several alterations to the X3’s look in its latest evolution, starting with the front.

The iconic kidney grille is flanked by new LED headlights, which are complemented by double L-shaped daytime running lights.

The SUV also has a new roof spoiler, side skirts, taillights, a revised tailgate, and flared wheel arches to accommodate the new alloy wheel designs that range from 19 to 20 inches in size.

Like many of BMW’s latest entries, the X3’s interior is sporting a refreshed 14-inch dual-curved display for the driver and infotainment systems, running the brand’s 8.5 operating software.

The company has kept an interactive bar below the touchscreen for the three-zone climate control, but users can also interact with various functions via the flat-bottom multifunction leather steering wheel (complete with paddle shifters), or through voice commands.

Other equipment includes ambient lighting, a wireless charger, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, cloud-based navigation, and keyless entry and start with Digital Key Plus, letting owners connect their smartphone or smartwatch to function as a virtual key.

This is on top of a driver assistance suite comprising cruise control, front-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-change warning, speed limit info, speed limit assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a reverse camera.

Buyers can also opt for a number of paid extras, such as heated and ventilated seats, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera, a parking assistant, a panoramic sunroof, and a Harman Kardon stereo.

Pricing

The South African pricing for the new BMW X3 is as follows:

BMW X3 20d xDrive – R1,136,417
BMW X3 20d xDrive M Sport – R1,186,417
BMW X3 30e xDrive – R1,260,000
BMW X3 30e xDrive M Sport – R1,310,000
BMW X3 M50 – R1,545,446

This includes a 2-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and a 5-year/100,000km maintenance plan, with an additional 8-year/100,000km battery warranty for the hybrid units.