The critical new BMW X3 and its sportier brother, the BMW X4, have been given a mid-life update.
Set to touch down locally in the fourth quarter of 2021, the overhauled X3 and X4 twins will initially miss out on the range of mild-hybrid engines being offered in Europe.
BMW Australia hasn’t ruled out bringing the newer, cleaner engine range Down Under later in the X3 and X4’s life.
That means the updated X3 and X4 will be offered in the following guises:
- X3 sDrive20i: 2.0-litre turbo petrol with 135kW/300Nm, rear-wheel drive
- X4 xDrive20i: 2.0-litre turbo petrol with 135kW/300Nm, all-wheel drive
- X3 xDrive20d: 2.0-litre turbo diesel with 140kW/400Nm, all-wheel drive
- X3 xDrive30i: 2.0-litre turbo petrol with 185kW/350Nm, all-wheel drive
- X4 xDrive30i: 2.0-litre turbo petrol with 185kW/350Nm, all-wheel drive
- X3 xDrive 30d: 3.0-litre turbo diesel with 195kW/620Nm, all-wheel drive
- X3 M40i: 3.0-litre turbo petrol with 265kW/500Nm, all-wheel drive
- X4 M40i: 3.0-litre turbo petrol with 265kW/500Nm, all-wheel drive
All models will be offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Also new for 2022 is the X3 xDrive30e PHEV, which blends a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with an electric motor and 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
It does 46km on pure-electric power, and hits 100km/h in just 6.1 seconds from standstill.
The big changes for the X3 and X4 have come on the inside, where BMW has mimicked the cabin from the latest 4 Series.
The driver is faced with two 12.3-inch displays running the latest BMW OS7.0 infotainment system and a standard head-up display.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is access to the My BMW app which lets owners check their fuel levels, lock the doors, and flash the lights from their smartphone.
BMW OS7.0 also supports over-the-air updates, allowing BMW to refresh the X3 and X4’s software without a visit to the dealership. Owners will be able to pay for upgrades for their cars, too, allowing features such as high-beam assist to be activated after you’ve left the dealership.
Beyond the design and tech changes, BMW says updated faux leather trim on low-end models, new ambient lighting, and a refreshed layout for the controls on the transmission tunnel improve the feeling of quality from behind the wheel.
A technology update for 2022 also brings reversing assistant to the BMW X3 and X4, which will retrace the driver’s steps in reverse to help get out of tight spaces.
2022 BMW X3 M, X4 M Competition
Along with the mainstream range, the X3 and X4 M Competition have been treated to an update for 2022.
There’s a new look and fresh cabin in keeping with the rest of the range, but the update is more than just skin deep – the boffins at M GmbH have also freed up more torque from the 3.0-litre inline-six turbocharged engine.
It now pumps out 375kW of power and 650Nm of torque, 50Nm more torque than before, thanks to a range of updates including a forged crankshaft.
As a result, the sprint to 100km/h is dispatched in just 3.8 seconds – 0.3 seconds faster than before.
In Australia, adaptive dampers will be standard on both the X3 and X4 M Competition, and the engine will breathe through an adaptive M Sport Exhaust.
Externally, you’ll be able to differentiate the 2022 X3 M Competition from the 2021 model through the slimmer headlights, bigger kidney grille, redesigned tail lights, and detail changes to the bumpers. Both the X3 and X4 ride on new alloy wheels.
The Driving Assistant Professional is standard for the first time, bringing an improved adaptive cruise control system, emergency lane-keeping assist, and a smoother lane-centring system.
Inside, the cabin changes mirror those of the wider X3 and X4 range.
The driver is faced with two 12.3-inch displays running the latest BMW OS7.0 infotainment system and a standard head-up display.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is access to the My BMW app which lets owners check their fuel levels, lock the doors, and flash the lights from their smartphone.
The transmission tunnel layout has been nicked from the BMW M3, and there are new leather trim colour options for 2022.
MORE: BMW X3 news and reviews
MORE: BMW X4 news and reviews
