The 2023 BMW X3 xDrive30i is the best X3 model year, with the 2022 X3 M40i at #2 and the 2025 X3 30 xDrive at #3. The 2023 xDrive30i rates 24 combined mpg, has 15 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls listed, and earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
The oldest X3 on the list, from the first generation
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2023 BMW X3 xDrive30i (G01)
Best six-cylinder
2022 BMW X3 M40i (G01)
Most efficient
2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive (G45)
Most powerful
2020 BMW X3 M Competition (F97)
Lowest original price
2012 BMW X3 xDrive28i (F25)
The ranking
1
2023 BMW X3 xDrive30i (G01)
Photo: Kevauto / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe X3 to buy.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveBase price when new: $48,200 MSRP (xDrive30i)EPA fuel economy: 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpgNHTSA owner complaints: 15 complaints listed for the 2023 X3NHTSA recalls: 4 recalls listed for the 2023 X3IIHS award: Top Safety Pick+ for the 2023 X3
The 2023 X3 xDrive30i is the facelifted third generation (G01) with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. It rates 24 combined mpg, started at $48,200, and has 15 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls listed. IIHS gave the 2023 X3 a Top Safety Pick+.
Go ifThe best mix of safety record, mileage and age in the facelifted G01
Skip ifYou want 29 combined mpg (2025 30 xDrive)
Why #1 over #2: It has 15 NHTSA complaints versus 83 for the 2022 M40i, and 4 recalls versus 7.
2
2022 BMW X3 M40i (G01)
Photo: HJUdall / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe fast one.
Powertrain: 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder with a mild-hybrid system, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveBase price when new: $57,800 MSRP (M40i)EPA fuel economy: 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined mpgNHTSA owner complaints: 83 complaints listed for the 2022 X3NHTSA recalls: 7 recalls listed for the 2022 X3IIHS award: Top Safety Pick+ for the 2022 X3
The 2022 X3 M40i adds a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder with a mild-hybrid system and rates 23 combined mpg. It started at $57,800. NHTSA lists 83 owner complaints and 7 recalls, and IIHS gave the 2022 X3 a Top Safety Pick+.
Go ifThe quick six-cylinder X3 without paying for the full M
Why #2 over #3: It has 7 NHTSA recalls versus 9 for the 2025 X3, and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
3
2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive (G45)
Photo: Alexander Migl / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe new generation.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with a mild-hybrid system, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveBase price when new: $49,950 MSRP (30 xDrive)EPA fuel economy: 27 city / 33 highway / 29 combined mpgNHTSA owner complaints: 38 complaints listed for the 2025 X3NHTSA recalls: 9 recalls listed for the 2025 X3NHTSA crash rating: 4 stars overall
The 2025 X3 30 xDrive is the fourth-generation (G45) design and rates 29 combined mpg, the best here. It started at $49,950. NHTSA lists 38 owner complaints, 9 recalls and a 4-star overall crash rating.
Go ifThe most efficient X3 and the newest design
Skip ifYou want a 5-star NHTSA rating (2023 xDrive30i)
Why #3 over #4: It rates 29 combined mpg versus 25 for the 2021 xDrive30i, with 38 NHTSA complaints versus 113.
4
2021 BMW X3 xDrive30i (G01)
Photo: RL GNZLZ from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cheaper G01.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveBase price when new: $45,000 MSRP (xDrive30i)EPA fuel economy: 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpgNHTSA owner complaints: 113 complaints listed for the 2021 X3NHTSA recalls: 10 recalls listed for the 2021 X3NHTSA crash rating: 5 stars overall
The 2021 X3 xDrive30i is a G01 from before the facelift, with the 2.0-liter turbo four, 25 combined mpg and a $45,000 starting price. NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall and lists 113 owner complaints and 10 recalls.
Go ifA lower-priced G01 from before the 2022 facelift
Skip ifYou want fewer recalls (2023 xDrive30i: 4)
Why #4 over #5: It rates 25 combined mpg versus 16 for the 2020 X3 M Competition, and started at $45,000 versus $76,900.
5
2020 BMW X3 M Competition (F97)
Photo: Alexander Migl / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe M car.
Powertrain: 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder with 503 horsepower, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveBase price when new: $76,900 MSRP (Competition)EPA fuel economy: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpgNHTSA owner complaints: 110 complaints listed for the 2020 X3NHTSA recalls: 16 recalls listed for the 2020 X3IIHS award: Top Safety Pick+ for the 2020 X3
The 2020 X3 M Competition was the first full M version of the X3, with a 3.0-liter turbo six making 503 horsepower. It started at $76,900 and rates 16 combined mpg. NHTSA lists 110 owner complaints and 16 recalls, and IIHS gave the 2020 X3 a Top Safety Pick+.
Go ifThe only full M version, with the most power in the lineup
Skip ifYou want mileage (16 combined mpg) or few recalls (16 listed)
Why #5 over #6: It has 110 NHTSA complaints versus 171 for the 2019 xDrive30i, and 503 horsepower.
6
2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i (G01)
Photo: Alexander Migl / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe early G01.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveBase price when new: $43,000 MSRP (xDrive30i)EPA fuel economy: 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpgNHTSA owner complaints: 171 complaints listed for the 2019 X3NHTSA recalls: 10 recalls listed for the 2019 X3IIHS award: Top Safety Pick+ for the 2019 X3
The 2019 X3 xDrive30i is an early G01 with the 2.0-liter turbo four, 25 combined mpg and a $43,000 starting price. IIHS gave the 2019 X3 a Top Safety Pick+. NHTSA lists 171 owner complaints and 10 recalls.
Go ifThe cheapest way into the third generation with an IIHS award
Why #6 over #7: It earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and rates 25 combined mpg versus 21 for the 2012 xDrive28i.
7
2012 BMW X3 xDrive28i (F25)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe budget six.
Powertrain: 3.0-liter naturally aspirated 6-cylinder, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveBase price when new: $37,100 MSRP (xDrive28i)EPA fuel economy: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpgNHTSA owner complaints: 48 complaints listed for the 2012 X3NHTSA recalls: 2 recalls listed for the 2012 X3IIHS award: Top Safety Pick for the 2012 X3
The 2012 X3 xDrive28i is a second-generation (F25) X3 with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder and 21 combined mpg. It started at $37,100. NHTSA lists 48 owner complaints and 2 recalls, and IIHS gave the 2012 X3 a Top Safety Pick.
Go ifThe lowest price and the fewest owner complaints of the second generation
Skip ifYou want more than 21 combined mpg (2017 xDrive28i: 24)
Why #7 over #8: It has 48 NHTSA complaints versus 92 for the 2017 xDrive28i, and 2 recalls versus 6.
8
2017 BMW X3 xDrive28i (F25)
Photo: Elise240SX / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe last F25.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveBase price when new: $42,050 MSRP (xDrive28i)EPA fuel economy: 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpgNHTSA owner complaints: 92 complaints listed for the 2017 X3NHTSA recalls: 6 recalls listed for the 2017 X3NHTSA crash rating: 5 stars overall
The 2017 X3 xDrive28i is a facelifted F25 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 24 combined mpg. It started at $42,050. NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall and lists 92 owner complaints and 6 recalls.
Go ifThe last facelifted F25, with the four-cylinder turbo
Why #8 over #9: It rates 24 combined mpg versus 21 for the 2014 xDrive35i, and earns 5 NHTSA stars overall.
9
2014 BMW X3 xDrive35i (F25)
Photo: order_242 from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe pre-facelift turbo six.
Powertrain: 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveBase price when new: $44,900 MSRP (xDrive35i)EPA fuel economy: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpgNHTSA owner complaints: 86 complaints listed for the 2014 X3NHTSA recalls: 6 recalls listed for the 2014 X3
The 2014 X3 xDrive35i has a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder and rates 21 combined mpg. It started at $44,900. NHTSA lists 86 owner complaints and 6 recalls.
Go ifA turbo six-cylinder X3 at a used-car price
Skip ifYou want 24 combined mpg (2017 xDrive28i)
Why #9 over #10: It has 86 NHTSA complaints versus 190 for the 2008 3.0si, and rates 21 combined mpg versus 20.
10
2008 BMW X3 3.0si (E83)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe oldest X3.
Powertrain: 3.0-liter naturally aspirated 6-cylinder, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel driveBase price when new: $38,000 MSRP (3.0si)EPA fuel economy: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpgNHTSA owner complaints: 190 complaints listed for the 2008 X3NHTSA recalls: 3 recalls listed for the 2008 X3IIHS award: Top Safety Pick for the 2008 X3
The 2008 X3 3.0si is a first-generation (E83) X3 with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder and a 6-speed automatic, rating 20 combined mpg. It started at $38,000. NHTSA lists 190 owner complaints and 3 recalls, and IIHS gave the 2008 X3 a Top Safety Pick.
Go ifThe oldest X3 on the list, from the first generation
Skip ifYou want a low complaint count (2012 xDrive28i: 48)
How we ranked these
We ranked each BMW X3 model year on what it gives a used buyer today: powertrain, EPA fuel economy, NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, crash ratings and IIHS awards, using fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, IIHS, Wikipedia and iSeeCars MSRP listings. Each pick is one model year and trim, and complaint and recall counts are NHTSA counts for that exact year and model (the X3 line, not only the trim named), so older years have had longer to collect them. IIHS awards are those published for the X3 of that year. Photos: Wikimedia Commons pictures of the same generation, trim where one was available. The 2023 pick shows a 2022 xDrive30i, the 2020 M Competition a 2019 one, the 2019 pick an earlier xDrive30i of the same generation, the 2012 pick an earlier F25 X3 and the 2014 pick a 2012 xDrive35i. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best BMW X3 model year to buy used?
The 2023 X3 xDrive30i: it rates 24 combined mpg, has 15 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls listed, and earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
Which BMW X3 model years should you avoid?
The 2008 X3 has 190 NHTSA owner complaints listed, and the 2020 X3 has 16 recalls listed, the most of any year here. Check every VIN for open recalls.
How much horsepower does the BMW X3 M Competition have?
It makes 503 horsepower from a 3.0-liter straight-six; the standard X3 M makes 473.
Which BMW X3 gets the best gas mileage here?
The 2025 X3 30 xDrive, at 29 combined mpg (27 city and 33 highway).
EPA combined fuel economy at a glance
2020 BMW X3 M Competition (F97)16 mpg
2008 BMW X3 3.0si (E83)20 mpg
2012 BMW X3 xDrive28i (F25)21 mpg
2014 BMW X3 xDrive35i (F25)21 mpg
2022 BMW X3 M40i (G01)23 mpg
2023 BMW X3 xDrive30i (G01)24 mpg
2017 BMW X3 xDrive28i (F25)24 mpg
2021 BMW X3 xDrive30i (G01)25 mpg
2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i (G01)25 mpg
2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive (G45)29 mpg
EPA combined fuel economy, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
