BMW X3 misses the 77 km/h moose test: M50 xDrive and diesel results
press.bmwgroup.com
Km77's moose test saw the BMW X3, including M50 xDrive and xDrive20d, miss the 77 km/h mark with understeer. Slalom times impress; comfort and tech lead.
Journalists from the Spanish outlet Km77 put the fourth-generation BMW X3 through the classic moose test. They evaluated three versions of the model — two X3 M50 xDrive and one diesel xDrive20d. The outcome was unexpected: none of the cars managed to complete the maneuver at 77 km/h.
The best efforts came from the X3 M50 xDrive at 69 km/h and the diesel at 67 km/h. Across the board, the cars showed clear understeer, and the stability control intervened abruptly, forcing drivers to shed speed to get the exercise done cleanly.
The slalom told a different story. The M50 xDrive with a 3.0-liter Twin Turbo engine (398 hp) stopped the clock at 24 seconds, while the diesel version posted 25.3 seconds.
According to the testers, despite its power and all-wheel drive, the BMW X3 lagged behind rivals in terms of agility. Even so, judged as a whole, this SUV still ranks among the class leaders for comfort and technology. The results hint at a setup that prioritizes stability and polish over ultra-quick direction changes — a trade-off many owners may actually appreciate in everyday driving.
