BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro review - more than the numbers suggest

Tuhin Guha Updated: February 17, 2026, 01:13 PM IST

When this generation of the BMW X3 first hit the streets, there was a sense that it had gone a touch soft. It was bigger, had more presence and did all the things you want from a luxury SUV, but true BMW enthusiasts wanted more. That answer seems to have come in the form of the BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro. That long name aside, could this be the most engaging SUV you can buy from BMW without having to shell out proper M money?

BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro styling

The way the X3 30 looks seems to suggest this. It's not traditionally BMW, instead it seems to draw some inspiration from the XM with its flat, clean surfaces, large grille, dollops of gloss black and condensed lighting.

This new M Sport Pro package, however, adds a subtle but effective dose of intent. This works better in lighter shades like the new grey, where the blacked-out grille and sharper bumper elements show up more effectively. The most striking change are the new 20-inch wheels with red calipers. These give the X3 an especially committed stance from the rear with their staggered widths and help balance out the proportions here to an extent.

BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro interiors, tech, rear seat

There is a sportier sense on the inside of the X3 30 too, with the M Sport Pro package. You can choose a dual-tone beige and black option, but there is also a full black interior theme. This gives you M sill plates and seatbelts and leatherette upholstery. Another good upgrade are the sports seats that are ventilated, come with thigh extenders, but also get useful adjustable side bolsters.

The rest of the cabin remains unchanged, and like the outside, breaks from the norm. You have that asymmetric angular look with flat, open surfaces and a minimal sense. It's a fresh take and sets a good impression at first with the ambient light bands, soft surfaces and crystal elements, the vibrant 14.9-inch screen and 12.3-inch instrument cluster. The on-point steering helps too, and you have enough soft surfaces and neat contrast stitching on the dash and trim.

The 12.3-inch instrument cluster is, like before, quite easy to read. You have just enough information and the layout and fonts are logical. A HUD complements this. It's informative and bright enough. The 14.9-inch touchscreen has been improved from earlier with the new iDrive 9. You seem to have more logical menus for functions like climate control and a clearer home screen, although there is still a learning curve that will take time to get around.

But look closer and you do notice some gaps in plastic quality. The unusual door trim with the central lock and vent controls is one such example, and you also wish for better plastics in the lower reaches of the door trim and felt lining in the door bins.

The X3 has grown quite large, and this reflects in the second row. Many of you who like being driven around will find this to be a good balance between space and comfort, especially with the dual-tone interior option. The 2,865mm wheelbase gives you a good deal of kneeroom, there is enough space to tuck your feet under the front seats, and the boxy shape gives you a good deal of headroom even with a panoramic sunroof.

The seats are especially supportive as well. There is good thigh support and the contours hold you in place tightly. The cushioning is dense and firm, so you will stay comfortable over long journeys. This, and the high central tunnel, does limit comfort for a middle passenger.
There are good creature comforts here though. You have sunshades, a third climate zone, enough chargers and storage spaces, but like the front, some of the plastic panels don't feel up to BMW standards.

BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro features, safety

That being said, the BMW X3 comes well equipped, even by the quite high standards we have been spoiled with in the mainstream segment. You get adaptive LED lighting, heated and auto-dimming external mirrors, a powered tailgate, 15-speaker Harman Kardon audio, navigation and connected tech.

You get nine airbags, a clear 360-degree camera setup and ADAS functions for safety.

BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro engine, suspension, driving impressions

With this new X3 30 M Sport Pro variant, the biggest changes come in the way this car drives. The 2.0-litre turbo petrol makes 260PS and 400Nm. These are 68PS and 90Nm more than the base engine, which has led to a brisk 0 to 100 kmph time of 6.3s.

But the numbers don't fully reflect the difference. You have that typical focused feel from behind the wheel. Even with this being an SUV, you have a natural driving position and a closer sense to the car. There is a light grumble from the exhaust, and while much of it is enhanced from the speakers, there is a sporty rumble in the cabin, especially as you wring out the engine in Sport mode.

In regular driving, this is a calm vehicle. There is enough grunt off the line, and the 8-speed torque converter does well to extract the best from the wide and linear powerband of this engine. You have a calm and effortless feeling from behind the wheel, especially cruising at higher speeds.

But you can ramp this up quite a bit. In Sport mode, there is quite a heightened sense of urgency. It's not as intimidating as in a full M car but strikes a good balance for an everyday SUV. There is a launch control function that is potent but not scary. You see the X3 keep building performance through its rev band. It's not flat but seems to keep increasing in intensity as you get closer to the redline.

The gearbox becomes quite aggressive too. The shifts have a satisfying thump to them and downshifts are rapid as well. Driving in this mode, you also notice that responses from the engine become quite sharp, amplifying the performance that's on offer.

We drove the X3 on our usual hilly backroads, where the changes made to the chassis for this version come across clearly. The M Sport Pro trim gets a sportier setup, and the adaptive damping shows its benefits too. The xDrive system has its usual 40:60 split, which does well to recreate that balanced sense you expect from a BMW. It's quite easy to get into a rhythm around corners, and while you do find that the nose runs wider a bit quicker than a pure RWD BMW, it's a good compromise. The AWD system seems to constantly manage torque and slip in a way that lets you keep making quick progress. The staggered wheel sizes show their benefits here, with the grip that comes through them.

As you might expect, body movements are fluid and tight. The X3 leans quite naturally into corners and only really shows its mass on tighter bends, but otherwise there is always a good amount of grip and control. You have the confidence to carry more speed than you think is possible, and the steering is direct enough to keep you feeling confident.

The dampers strike a fine balance too. Yes, even in Comfort mode there is a firm edge over broken surfaces, but there is still enough pliancy to not concern you. You notice that the X3 feels confident over broken roads even with these 20-inch wheels, and this increases as speeds rise. Sport mode isn't overly firm either. You can use it every day without too much filtering into the cabin. This balance helps add to the good overall driving experience.

BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro off-roading

The X3 isn't an SUV you do a lot of trail bashing in, but BMW had a specially curated off-road course to show us what that might feel like. You had steep near 90-degree drops, a rocky uphill gradient and axle twisters. While you had to be quite careful of the sharp rocks with the 20-inch wheels, what really came through was the motor's tractability, the fine torque control of the AWD system and the inherent stiffness of the car's structure.

BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro price, verdict

The BMW X3 M Sport Pro costs Rs 74.5 lakh ex-showroom, a Rs 3.3 lakh premium over the base version that feels reasonable enough to make this the default petrol X3 to consider. It may draw some controversy with its looks and some of its interior trim choices, but this is a proper BMW SUV through and through. It has the mix of features and comfort you expect from a luxury brand, topped by a drivetrain and chassis that will give you that engaging driving experience than you are looking for with a BMW. It does well across a host of driving situations and has an especially energetic drivetrain that adds to its competence.

BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro Specifications

L x W x H 4,755 x 1,920 x 1,660
Wheelbase 2,865 mm
Type 1,998 cc inline four turbo petrol
Gearbox: 8-speed AT
Max power 260 PS at 4,500-6,500 rpm
Max torque 400 Nm at 1,600 to 4,600 rpm/ 103 Nm at 3,500 rpm
Price Rs 74.5 lakh ex-showroom

BMW X3 2022 Full Spec

Price (Ex-Delhi)
Starts Rs 59.9 Lakhs

Displacement
1998cc

Transmission
Automatic

Max Power(ps)
252

Max Torque(Nm)
350

Mileage
13.17 Kmpl

BMW X3 M 2020 Full Spec

Price (Ex-Delhi)
Starts Rs 99.99 Lakhs

Displacement
2993cc

Transmission
Automatic

Max Power(ps)
480