[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.