https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a60489883/2025-bmw-x3-prototype-drive/
https://uk.motor1.com/reviews/716078/bmw-x3-2025-prototype-first-drive/
https://www.motor1.com/news/716019/2025-bmw-x3-first-look/
https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/bmw/x3-prototype/
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/bmw-x3-prototype-drive
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/x3/362838/new-bmw-x3-prototype-review-first-impressions-next-gen-mid-size-suv

It looks bigger or am I imaging it?
I also don’t like flush door handles, when it’s wet they slip out of your hands when you open, very annoying.

Did you also notice the rear headrests are now fixed, they don’t go down.

Bimmerforlife wrote

It looks bigger or am I imaging it?
I also don’t like flush door handles, when it’s wet they slip out of your hands when you open, very annoying.

Did you also notice the rear headrests are now fixed, they don’t go down.

Due to the X1 and X2 being larger, yes it is larger.

Bimmerforlife wrote

It looks bigger or am I imaging it?

Yes, which is why I ordered a 24 instead of waiting for the new one.

JustinHEMI wrote

Yes, which is why I ordered a 24 instead of waiting for the new one.

If I wanted a bigger car, I would’ve gone X5!

EWL5 wrote

If I wanted a bigger car, I would’ve gone X5!

Exactly. Now what they are going to tell us get a X2? And where is X2 M40?
Slab of screen is really annoying me more than it should, but it just does.
If they bring the dual round exhausts into m50i that will be nice.
Headlights don't look all that different than now, they definitely don't look like the new x5s.

Will be bigger, heavier and more numb.

I see the M50 model now gets M seatbelts and quad exhaust lol

Really don’t like the ipad screen and removal of shifter.

Latest BMW designs don’t bode well for the new X3.

Most SUVs would struggle going up that hill, the X3 scoots right up, no problem...(LOL)!

I notice it came with a side handles. I do not know if the G01 have the side handles. My '24 G02 does not come with the handles.

Seems like an improvement overall. They mentioned a much bigger spread between driving modes and more suspension travel, so ride quality on rough roads should be much better. The BMW guy with him mentioned steering feel probably 20 times so seems like they focused on the performance quite a bit. But they did mention it comes on low rolling resistance tires...

Hopefully the physical drive mode buttons aren't going away but I suspect they might. And those steering wheel buttons look like the Tesla model 3 implementation, which I'm really not a fan of.

I guess it's TBD for the US but they said adaptive suspension is not standard.

We can expect continued suspension/steering development with each new generation since EPS was launched, but nothing here offsets my concern about not being able to escape an NCM/NCA lithium ion battery onboard no matter which engine is chosen. Glad to have taken a 2024 until solid state arrives. Two Chinese companies have announced solid state battery production plans in the next year already, so the safer battery technology is apparently mass-produceable. Let's catch up, BMW!

R N M wrote

I see the M50 model now gets M seatbelts

So does the current M40 depending on region.

"We kept the iDrive controller"

Yayyyy

Yurihaynes wrote

Having seen other models with the current interior design ethos, I can’t say I’m a fan.

I was looking at two brand new cars at my local BNW dealer, one had the older design interior, and one the newer curved screen etc.

To me the curved screen interior looked cheap by comparison, and something you might expect to find in a mass market Korean model.

Looks to be a page out of the 5 series design and not the x5 lci. I guess bc this is a whole new model series where the x5 is not. What worries me is the complaints about 5 series interior material quality. You can see similar side door buttons - I believe there is a ton of hard plastics etc in the new 5. The center console being all piano black / plastic and disconnected really does not have a high quality look to me..: bmw seems to be trying to make things look flashy with more lighting and coloring to wow the consumer and distract from the shit material they used inside. (We are not stupid on this forum)

That being said - if they really focused on drive quality, comfort and steering this much and make large improvements there then this can still be a great choice.

Disappointed to hear the lack of soft touch material if moving up from X3 to X5!

EWL5 wrote

Disappointed to hear the lack of soft touch material if moving up from X3 to X5!

If responding to my post then you miss understood. Lack of soft touch is found in the new 5 series sedan. The x5 is much better with soft touch, but my guess is bc that’s still on the g05 platform from 2019. When they overhaul it in 2026 I’m sure it will change for the worse too.

Mattl0806 wrote

If responding to my post then you miss understood. Lack of soft touch is found in the new 5 series sedan. The x5 is much better with soft touch, but my guess is bc that’s still on the g05 platform from 2019. When they overhaul it in 2026 I’m sure it will change for the worse too.

Yes, I did misunderstand. Thanks for the correction!

I also agree that the cheapening out is still to come. There's no stopping a car make when they're slowly adopting a "design language" across their lineup!

When is the actual reveal? i'll reserve judgement until I see it... my sticking points are going to be don't make it larger (especially just from an exterior perspective like the X5), heavier and give it that terrible ID 8.5 without buttons... or at least add back in the buttons.

So far every review i've read of id8 and 8.5... it claims its a complete step backwards compared to Id7 in terms of usability.

ASAP wrote

When is the actual reveal? i'll reserve judgement until I see it... my sticking points are going to be don't make it larger (especially just from an exterior perspective like the X5), heavier and give it that terrible ID 8.5 without buttons... or at least add back in the buttons.

So far every review i've read of id8 and 8.5... it claims its a complete step backwards compared to Id7 in terms of usability.

Really? I feel many posters on the g05 forum at least have ended up not hating it and adapting very quick. I’d go as far as saying most are happy with it.

EWL5 wrote

Yes, I did misunderstand. Thanks for the correction!

I also agree that the cheapening out is still to come. There's no stopping a car make when they're slowly adopting a "design language" across their lineup!

This is exactly why I’m putting zero faith in next gen bmws. Until they do another overhaul - Buttons will not come back. Materials will not get better. The x5 x7 LCIs are probably the best blend we will see as it kept nicer materials inside, but you still have to live with no buttons.

Mattl0806 wrote

This is exactly why I’m putting zero faith in next gen bmws. Until they do another overhaul - Buttons will not come back. Materials will not get better. The x5 x7 LCIs are probably the best blend we will see as it kept nicer materials inside, but you still have to live with no buttons.

No buttons are somewhat mitigated if you still have the rotary controller. If we lose even that (like on the X1), then you can probably expect insurance premiums to go up!