[Mavus]

Originally Posted by ModernAngel

Tellurides are nice and very well reviewed. However, as part of my search for a new car I looked into a few Kias extensively to get owner feedback (via FB groups, forums, etc.) and they're still not the most reliable things. And Kia's honoring of their warranties seems to be a PITA that I just didn't feel like dealing with.

I also remember sitting in a Seltos on a showroom floor, pushing the speaker grille and having it easily bend/move from the slightest pressure. Not reassuring.

That all said, my parents have owned a PHEV Sportage for the past year and love it, so...

For reference here's every single car I test drove (some just for fun, some multiple times) in the past year before I ended up with the X3:

25 Ford Explorer ST
24 Acura Integra Type-S
24 BMW M340i xDrive
24 BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe
24 BMW X1 M35
24 BMW X3 M40i
24 Buick Envision
24 Ford Ranger Raptor
24 Tesla Model 3 AWD
23 Audi Q3
23 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands
23 Ford Escape
23 Honda CR-V Hybrid
23 Mazda CX-5
23 Mazda CX-50
23 Nissan Rogue
23 Porsche Macan S
23 Toyota GR86
23 VW Tiguan
23 VW Taos
23 Volvo XC40
21 Porsche Boxster

thanks for the comprehensive list and feedback! so which ones were close competitors in the end? Noticed no GV70 on the list.

[ModernAngel]

Originally Posted by Mavus

thanks for the comprehensive list and feedback! so which ones were close competitors in the end? Noticed no GV70 on the list.

I looked at the GV70 closely but am not a huge fan of the looks inside and out so never got around to actually test driving one. I pretty much extensively researched almost every car for sale today.

In the end I was torn between an M340i or M440i Gran Coupe (for the hatchback utility). Came very close to getting an M440i. Then test drove an Integra Type-S and loveeed it. Plus it has a hatchback, so score. Would’ve bought one if my G45 test drive didn’t go well.

As a side-note the Ranger Raptor was stupid fun but just bigger than I wanted for a daily. Also, nowhere for me to really take advantage of it in Illinois.

[TXSchnee]

Originally Posted by ASAP

i have seen a '23 XM w 20k miles for 88K lol... i'll just buy that one if I am into the XM

Whatever floats your boat. My '23 Porsche Taycan CT 4S also didn't hold its value, but I haven't seen very many people complain about it's looks.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by iamvanja

Was an ugly car and it still is. They’re not being sold because they look good.

The new X3 takes a “cartoon car” to the next level. B58 and ZF will still sell a lot of those cars, but boy what an abomination. Just when you think new BMWs can’t get any uglier, they outdo themselves!

Agree- m3 face is such a downgrade from the m340. It almost doesn’t make sense why they did that.

[iamvanja]

Originally Posted by Mavus

thanks for the comprehensive list and feedback! so which ones were close competitors in the end? Noticed no GV70 on the list.

I own a fully loaded GV70 3.5T.
Cross shopped with 2023 X3, 2023 M340ix, M440ix and 2024 Mazda 3.

Genesis had the best interior and it’s not even close. Exterior to me also looks the best.
After driving it for a while, powertrain leaves a lot to be desired. It is no BMW, but suspension wise it is also better than X3 which I thought was unnecessarily bouncy and firm.

[MidnightLight]

I also test drove a GV70 3.5T before deciding on the X3.

The GV70 had really great tech features, e.g. camera views in the instrument panel while making turns. The interior was luxurious but IMO slightly too old fashioned for my taste. And most importantly, the driving experience fell way short of the (G01) X3--the GV70 was powerful, yes, but it felt very crude and unpolished. I'm definitely keeping an eye on Genesis, but at the moment they have a long way to go to closing the gap with BMW on this front.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by ModernAngel

Ya got me. It drives like shit and everything else I've previously written about the M50's performance is a lie. 😄

Well, it isn't compact. You using the word compact doesn't make it so.

The 3er range is huge now.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Neusser

Well, it isn't compact. You using the word compact doesn't make it so.

The 3er range is huge now.

The semantics vary by market. The typical C segment car once described as a Subcompact or Small car in the U.S. (Remember Chevy Cavalier/Ford Escort sedans/saloons?) had been considered a more typical "family car" in Europe.

At ~187" long, the new X3 appears to be a D-segment vehicle, which at one point in time was considered Midsize, even in the U.S.. However, over time, size creep with replacement models has enlarged all segments, as new smaller segment models get tucked underneath. The MB C-Class could really be a "D-Class", and so on. if one wishes to use words, this could arguably be used:

??? - Micro
X1/X2 - Subcompact/Small
X3 - Compact
X5 - Midsize
X7 - Large

BMW hasn't ventured into the Micro A/B segments so far, but that space and word remain available.

However, there is little point to the words when numerical dimensions exist. Either 187" fits in your garage or it doesn't!

[Mavus]

the segments should be aligned with underwear sizing (brand dependent)

x1 S (compact)
x3 M
x5 L
x7 XL
XM ??

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Mavus

the segments should be aligned with underwear sizing (brand dependent)

x1 S (compact)
x3 M
x5 L
x7 XL
XM ??

[Ravenous666]

Originally Posted by Neusser

Well, it isn't compact. You using the word compact doesn't make it so.

The 3er range is huge now.

Maybe you've never been in the USA lately, but a X3 actually is compact in relation what else is driving around on the roads.

This is a US based forum so most of the impressions are based on the US market.

[lepp0012]

Originally Posted by bandersen

Best quote - ‘Vape shop probably wasn’t the vibe BMW was looking for’, in regards to the crappy interior.

I was just about to post the exact same quote. It really does look tacky and cheap, IMO. Such obvious cost cutting.

[PeterA-BMW]

Its a polarizing look when seen online, in real life the outside is clean and crisp. The interior has some definite cheap spots which I am guessing BMW will address in the next couple of years with Galvanic controls and better trim to make it more upscale.

I work at a BMW store in DFW and we are selling them just fine, specially the M50.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by Ravenous666

Maybe you've never been in the USA lately, but a X3 actually is compact in relation what else is driving around on the roads.

This is a US based forum so most of the impressions are based on the US market.

We get many of the same cars over here. There is nothing compact about an X3.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Neusser

We get many of the same cars over here. There is nothing compact about an X3.

Ok, what size segment name do you put it as well as X1, X5, and X7?

[AGONXF30]

Originally Posted by hyde

You think G01 looked bad? It's probably one of the best looking BMWs out there. Interior is peak BMW I wish we could get a bit more features but F generation X3 was really way behind X5. Now luckily they thought '24 G05 was a huge upgrade with ugly display we were able to get nicer interior left over from 23 x5. When you get into 24 X3, you think it's 23 x5. With m40i, it drives even better than x5. I am very glad to go from boaty x5 (especially with air suspension) to planted, agile and quick X3 m40i.

The G01, especially the LCI is NOT peak BMW interior. The upgrades made it look derpy and it does NOT look or feel like a G05 inside. The M40i drives marginally better than an X5 in a sporty setting and drive a lot work around town in comfort setting (why you buy an SUV, to have space and be comfortable).

[AGONXF30]

Originally Posted by playswcars

I sat in an M50 recently, and the interior is an insult.

All entry level BMW interiors are an insult, but why? Great question, they aren’t after all luxury cars, they are at best premium cars.

[AGONXF30]

Originally Posted by TXSchnee

BMW is splitting the models with the new designer realignment, 3 Series and lower are going to be entry level, 5 Series and above are considered luxury. That is reflected in the interior of the new G45, would I have replaced my G01 M40i with one, no, but it is what it is, and BMW has been pretty open with their future plans.

The 3er is/was always entry level there is not a luxury bone about it, the 5er is/was the executive model, and the 7 is/was the luxury machine. Not sure what realignment BMW needs to make as its always been that way. Only in the US would people consider the 3 a luxury car.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by AGONXF30

All entry level BMW interiors are an insult, but why? Great question, they aren’t after all luxury cars, they are at best premium cars.

The more recent BMW interior design and materials effort are at best Kia class not even premium.

This was evident when visit my local BMW showroom, which had brand new versions of the same model that straddled a new version of the model. The new version interior looked and felt cheap directly compared to the previous version.

The G45 is an example of pure cost cutting, and as reported disappointing to BMW by its own standards.

Perhaps this is a contributing factor in BMW’s massive cost cutting - https://news.sky.com/story/the-elect...tions-13267440

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Ok, what size segment name do you put it as well as X1, X5, and X7?

You still don't get it. I don't give a shit about official segment designations.

I commented only that the car is not compact, as it is huge.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by AGONXF30

The 3er is/was always entry level there is not a luxury bone about it, the 5er is/was the executive model, and the 7 is/was the luxury machine. Not sure what realignment BMW needs to make as its always been that way. Only in the US would people consider the 3 a luxury car.

Over here in Germany, many would consider the 3 a luxury car, and most would consider it upscale without question.

The amount of stick you'll get from many folks simply for driving anything larger than a 1 series (with a premium-badge brand) is truly something to behold.

Even at work, I have gotten the side eye for privately owning a 5er, and this is at a tech company where everyone gets a 3er, 5er and so on as a company car. I have never driven the M2 to work.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by RussB

Good thing you already have a G01.

Yea, it’s amazing as that was the model BMW was making when I purchased.

The model I referred to was not even an X3, hence not a comparison between G01 and G45.

I will be looking to swap the G01, and it would have been good to have a BMW option, but looks like a non starter unless I move to at an X5, before it goes through a probable low rent redesign.