[Jason]

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X3 xDrive35i Makes Ward's 10 Best Interior List

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The BMW X3 xDrive35i has made Ward's 10 Best Interior List. Throughout February and March, Ward’s editors drove 51 vehicles that were all-new or featured significantly upgraded interiors in determining the 2011 winners, which include:

• Audi A8
• BMW X3 xDrive35i
  
• Chevy Cruze 2LT RS
• Dodge Charger Rallye Plus
• Ford Focus Titanium
• Honda Odyssey Elite
• Hyundai Elantra Limited
• Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit
• Kia Optima EX
• Volvo S60

Here is what the Ward's Auto editors had to say about the X3 interior:

The X3 xDrive35i successfully blends a black-and-cream color scheme with tastefully executed wood trim on the dashboard, center console and door panels.

Superb fit-and-finish, fold-flat seating and ample space for five occupants make the $52,025 X3 a worthy contender in the luxury cross/utility vehicle segment.

And the iDrive controller also has become easier to use and more intuitive, now allowing drivers simple access to the entire owner’s manual, all visible on the central display.

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[acey81]

The A8? Sure. The S60... well perhaps. But the rest? Seriously?

[Beyu]

The X3 being labeled as the "four-wheel drive car of the year" a couple of months back seemed like a stretch and now this? Who's reviewing these cars?

[hks786]

I understand the A8 maybe but the rest, WTF?

[sneaks]

wards is biased to north american cars. the x3 is manufactured in south carolina. the hyundai is a no brainer and obviously an A8 will have an amazing interior.
a couple choices were more about most improved rather than best in my opinion. chevy cruze being one of them. what is a cruze anyway, gm is constantly changing their stupid brands, no wonder they have lost all customer loyalty.

[timmahh]

Take the Cruze off that list..

[Nahoa]

Top 10 out of what choices/competitors? Love my X3, but c'mon . . .

[DDS2015]

Top 10 out of 51 NEW vehicles for 2011. There are obviously better interiors out there, but those aren't new for 2011

[宝马.e90]

What was the criteria? Surely they just can't pick random interiors and label it "best/top 10". Like others said, interiors like the A8 are no brainers regardless of criteria but something as simple and basic like most BMW models? I mean they're nice but nowhere near the level of Audi.

[Powerrunner]

I am amazed that for a BMW forum how negative some folks are about good news and reports on the new X3. Good news like this should make you feel good about your investment.

As for me, I absolutely love the interior, exterior, ride and ride handling of my X3 35i. And this was after looking at and testing other SUV in this class.

[Beyu]

I don't think anyone's trying to be negative or bash the X3 but lets be honest, I'm sure most of us are aware that the X3 doesn't exactly have the best interior or uses the best materials. I guess I didn't take into consideration that they might be only testing out new 2011 cars and not ones from previous years as there has to be some type of criteria for the 51 vehicles they tested.

Ride and handling wise you have a point, the X3 is a great car to drive and outmatches it's competitors (GLK, Q5, etc).

[inamik75]

I love bmws and I don't buy them for the interior, they r nice but some cars have better, however any accolade just builds the brand more and that aint a bad thing.

[sfax]

Originally Posted by DDS2015

Top 10 out of 51 NEW vehicles for 2011. There are obviously better interiors out there, but those aren't new for 2011

I think this is the most important post here. If it only looks at 51 new models rather than all models on the market, that's a bit different, although I still find the list surprising. I assume there was no new S Class this year...

[acey81]

Originally Posted by DDS2015

Top 10 out of 51 NEW vehicles for 2011. There are obviously better interiors out there, but those aren't new for 2011

They should add that to the headline. But still, Ferrari 458 Italia?

[宝马.e90]

Originally Posted by Powerrunner

I am amazed that for a BMW forum how negative some folks are about good news and reports on the new X3. Good news like this should make you feel good about your investment.

As for me, I absolutely love the interior, exterior, ride and ride handling of my X3 35i. And this was after looking at and testing other SUV in this class.

Overall it's a nice vehicle but I think most of us are surprised because BMW's aren't really known to have stylish interiors, say compared to their counterparts Mercedes and Audi. For example, although it's nice in a very simple way, the E90/E92 3er's interior is weak compared say a C-Class or A4 and that "style" of interior is found in the 1er and 5er. If they were to mention the new F10 5er or F12 6er, I don't think any of us would much to say because that's something you could call nice without any question.

[Kota]

Originally Posted by Powerrunner

I am amazed that for a BMW forum how negative some folks are about good news and reports on the new X3. Good news like this should make you feel good about your investment.

As for me, I absolutely love the interior, exterior, ride and ride handling of my X3 35i. And this was after looking at and testing other SUV in this class.

+1

I agree, i think the new X3 has the best interior in its class atm, and having owned few BMWs i also see it improves with time. It is neat and very well balanced. I find Mercedes interiors tastless honestly. Also, remember this is a SAV: im amazed how many try to force this car to be what it is not meant to be: it has to be practical too, it is no meant to be used on a track (thats why im against the silly M Sport cosmetic thing), or to carry rich businessmen in the rear seats. It is a sort of luxury family car, and i think it does give all what one would expect from a car like that.

[1006will]

Originally Posted by acey81

The A8? Sure. The S60... well perhaps. But the rest? Seriously?

+1

[vase330]

Originally Posted by Powerrunner

I am amazed that for a BMW forum how negative some folks are about good news and reports on the new X3. Good news like this should make you feel good about your investment.

As for me, I absolutely love the interior, exterior, ride and ride handling of my X3 35i. And this was after looking at and testing other SUV in this class.

Love BMW just like the next guy, but good news not really, because we all know there is reality thats not quite reflected on this. Its like someone telling a chic shes the most beautiful girl in the world when she as well as he knows reality is shes just average. Flattered maybe.

[vase330]

Originally Posted by Kota

+1

I agree, i think the new X3 has the best interior in its class atm, and having owned few BMWs i also see it improves with time. It is neat and very well balanced. I find Mercedes interiors tastless honestly. Also, remember this is a SAV: im amazed how many try to force this car to be what it is not meant to be: it has to be practical too, it is no meant to be used on a track (thats why im against the silly M Sport cosmetic thing), or to carry rich businessmen in the rear seats. It is a sort of luxury family car, and i think it does give all what one would expect from a car like that.

I have been to the Spartanburg plant recently, and driven those X and M vehicles on the track, and with all due respect you are a bit wrong on that point. Its not a merely cosmetic. Feeling is believeing in this case. I thought like you before, but I can tell you there is indeed a difference. In fact I think you will be very surprised when you eventually drive one. I drive a tuned ZSP 335i for whatever that's worth.

[Harplayr]

Stacking up the X3 against some reasonable competition at the “event” last month told me all that I needed to know. The X3 just provided the best combination of luxury, gizmos, size and performance to fit my needs. So I bought one.
It’s a simple as that.

[ManMachine]

I won't put any value into the opinions or lists from Ward's auto.

[Kota]

Originally Posted by vase330

I have been to the Spartanburg plant recently, and driven those X and M vehicles on the track, and with all due respect you are a bit wrong on that point. Its not a merely cosmetic. Feeling is believeing in this case. I thought like you before, but I can tell you there is indeed a difference. In fact I think you will be very surprised when you eventually drive one. I drive a tuned ZSP 335i for whatever that's worth.

What do you mean its not cosmetic, all what you get in the X3 MSport package you can have it for the SE version too (here in europe at least), the only difference are bumpers and sideskirts. Its is NOT a true M car.