MotorMouths

The BMW X# is quick enough to be entertaining, roomy enough to be practical, priced well enough to fit into your driveway at a minor premium, rides well enough to be a good tourer and isn’t even that expensive to keep in high-test.

People who buy $30,000 Honda Pilots may ask why anyone would spend more for less real estate. But for people who measure by more than inches, the BMW X3 — roomier, stronger, more deluxe — may justify the penthouse prices.

Sturdy in feel, amazingly quick on its feet, and finally un-punishing on everyday roads, the X3 gets our nod—and not just because it’s a fellow countryman.

The X3 is a bargain in terms of its yield: sports car fun, family practicality, decent (19MPG/26MPG) fuel economy.

There’s plenty of competition in the compact luxury crossover segment, but the X3’s distinctive styling, brisk acceleration, competent handling and roomy interior make it a stand-out.

The 2013 BMW X3 is a fine, but pricey, choice for drivers seeking sport-sedan dynamics in a crossover SUV.

The 2012 BMW X3 is a fine (if pricey) choice for drivers seeking sport sedan dynamics in a crossover SUV.

This latest BMW X3 offers a ride smooth enough to satisfy the strictest critics, and all the latest drivetrain and chassis technologies at BMW’s disposal. Completely redesigned, this latest-generation is roomier than pre-2011 models.

With its new sharply tailored exterior, high class interior and sporty performance, the 2012 BMW X3 xDrive35i gets my vote for most improved SUV.

After our brief exposure, we’d say that the new 2011 BMW X3 finally has exactly what it needs to be a strong, possibly dominant player in the expensive compact crossover class.

The redesigned BMW X3 womps its predecessor in every way, including ride, handling, power, and equipment. It even trumps it in price by lopping around $2,100 off of the old model. For once, BMW appears to have a hit on its hands that will resonate with North American buyers.

If you want the best all-around luxury SUV, skip the big seven-seaters and their three rows of seats. Ignore the compacts sneaking into the low end of the segment. The midsize BMW X3 xDrive 35i is the best of the bunch.