Metamorphosis

The fourth gen of the BMW X3 has come to our shores and we got behind the wheel of BMW's most successful global model in recent years to find out if it has what it takes to become a segment leader

- Anagh Bhaskar

Since 2003, BMW has always had the X3 positioned as the mid-size alternative to the larger X5, and it was the first mid-size luxury SUV on the market, of course through the lifetime of its second and third generations, competition ramped up and sits at par with the X3. But there is a very important factor, that makes the X3 doubly more important for BMW, it is the brand's highest selling SUV globally, hence quite a lot of work has been put into this fourth-generation X3, to transform it from the 'best drivers car' in the segment to the best package amongst the options.

When I had seen the initial images and videos of the new X3, I was concerned with the dialed-to-11 radical design approach that BMW took. Every time they do this, be it the massive grille of the older 7 Series, or the entirely reshaped 7/17 look or even the tall kidney grilles on the new M3/M4, it is met with criticism, but apart from being a bit sore on one's eyes for a few days or weeks, these cars are so well done, that one gets used to it pretty quickly. Exactly the case with the new X3, it looks so different to the older car, the elements are unrelated, gone are the muscular veiny and bulbous proportions, enter flat surfaces, with minimal cuts and creases.