While sport sedans made BMW’s reputation as the ultimate driving machine, it’s certainly the brands SUV’s that have moved to the forefront sales-wise. Both the X3 and the X5 battle for the top spot in BMW’s lineup and this year have sold almost identical numbers. But now, the X3 is fully redesigned, and a lot of people are wondering, should I pick the newer but smaller SUV, or the classic and larger SUV? Let’s dive into this 2025 BMW X3 vs. 2025 BMW X5 battle!
Pricing and Equipment
Now even though these two are competing in different segments, it’s very easy to get them to overlap on pricing.
Beginning with the all-new X3, we have the M50 model with most of the main options most people want. Thankfully, the price doesn’t increase much for the new model, so all-in the total price is $70,825.
MSRP (X3 M50 xDrive): $64,100 | Options: $5,550 | Destination: $1,175 | Total: $70,825
Moving to the recently-refreshed BMW X5, we have the 40i M-Sport variant, which comes with the same signature B58 Inline-6 as the X3. After adding in equivalent features, that takes us to a total price of $76,540.
MSRP (X5 xDrive40i): $68,000 | Options: $6,715 | Destination: $1,175 | Total: $76,540
By the way, if you want to get the best price from local dealerships and access to invoice pricing info for these two models or any vehicle, we have a tool on our website to do just that. Click here for more information!
Exterior Design
For years BMW was known for making very evolutionary changes to their product designs, but that certainly hasn’t been the case recently. The new X3 has a bold design inspired by the latest BMW concept vehicles, as well as siblings such as the iX. The design divergence looks particularly pronounced when you see it side-by-side with the X5, which retains its more classic design, at least for now. We won’t be scoring objective things like design preference in this comparison, but we would love to know if you like BMW’s new design direction in the comments below!
Lighting-wise, both have fully-LED headlights, as expected, along with the signature soft fading turn signals. While the kidney grilles are different shapes, illumination is offered on both.
Checking out the sides, after the X3’s enlargement this year, there is exactly 7-inches of length separating them. We will see later on if that makes a huge difference when it comes to interior and cargo space, but for now, know that both have 20-inch alloys as tested.
Length: 194.2 in (X5) | 187.2-in (X3)
Around back, just like the front, the X3 goes for a much bolder look than the X5. Outside of design, both have full-LED taillights, spoilers and exposed exhaust tips. The wipers are exposed on both and the X5 can also tow more by a sizeable amount.
X5: 7,200 lbs | X3: 4,850 lbs
Additional Features
Now heading on to some of the other features, both of them have heated, power-folding, auto-dimming mirrors with blind spot monitoring. But as far as most other active safety features, they need to be optioned on to both. For this price point the X3 has the Driving Assistance Professional package, while the already more expensive X5 would need another $2,500 package to get them.
BOTH: Basic & Powertrain: 4yr/50k mi | Comp. Maintenance: 3yr/36k mi
We’re just warming up here, so now it’s time to head to the more important interiors!
Interior Design
First approaching the vehicles, both of course have smart entry systems and digital keys to enter as well. To open the doors, just grab or pull up on the door handles.
After we open up the doors and view the interiors, besides for the screens, you might not be able to tell they are from the same brand.
That starts with the seats which look different, even though they are both covered in stitched faux leather. The X5’s is called Sensafin and the X3’s is called Veganza, and both are power adjusting, heated and ventilated with memory.
Now that we’ve climbed inside, we can discuss the major point of cabin materials. The new X3 used to be very similar to the X5 but its new unconventional design trades traditional materials like wood or aluminum for lots of advanced lighting. Because of that, the X5 has a lot more aluminum, wood and leatherette all over the door trims, dashboard and center console.
After startup, you will see the same digital gauge clusters on both, and both have large head-up displays as well.
And coming back to the heated steering wheels, the X3 is showing off the newest BMW M design with a flat bottom. Just be aware that only the X5 has power-adjusting and a leather airbag cover.
Storage and Technology
Okay, so next up, let’s dig into the major area of interior storage. If you’ve watched our channel before, you probably know that we like to test out the center console volume by loading it up with stuffed donuts, since that is our logo. Surprisingly, they both accommodate 10 donuts. There are also front storage areas with wireless phone charging pads.
Donuts:
- X5: 10 donuts
- X3: 10 donuts
Both models have the small electronic shifters, and when in reverse, both are equipped with 360-degree camera systems, that have the 3D view.
Now let’s go ahead and check out the audio systems. The wattage is slightly different but overall these systems sound almost identical, and quite good I might add.
X5: 16-speaker Harmon Kardon Premium Audio
X3: 16-speaker Harmon Kardon Premium Audio
While both models have physical volume knobs, the same can’t be said for the climate controls. They utilize the screens for the climate controls, dual-zone automatic in both cases. The weirder thing worth mentioning is that the X3 has touch sensitive panels that control the air flow and toggles below the vents to point them. They are pretty hard to adjust without it being a distraction behind the wheel.
Now we’re already at the large screens so let’s talk about them. They are both 14.9-inches and the X5 is using iDrive 8.5, while the X3 uses iDrive 9.0. Visually and functionality they are almost identical even though 9.0 marks the first version of iDrive built off of android as the backbone.
Finally, the last things to mention up front are the auto-dimming mirrors, and the panoramic sunroofs. While they both have one, you’ll notice that the new X3’s is one single piece now, which means it cannot open like the X5’s.
Rear Seats and Cargo
Now it’s time to head for the back seats and check out what we have.
The first criteria is space, where you might be surprised to learn that the X3 and X5 are very close on legroom measurements. Even if legroom is too similar to score a point, the X5 has 6.5% more headroom, which is important if you have adults in the back often.
- X5: Legroom: 37.4-inches | Headroom: 40.8-inches
- X3: Legroom: 36.3-inches | Headroom: 38.2-inches
Now for luxury features, we have rear climate vents on both and USB-C connections. Dedicated climate controls are available, as are heated back seats, though neither of them has those as equipped.
Next let’s check out the cargo areas. After using the hands-free power opening tailgates, you’ll find that while the X3’s diminished length doesn’t impact it a ton, it is still noteworthy in comparison to X5. The X5 has 7.3% more space behind the back seats, and 7.4% more space as a maximum with the seats folded.
X5: Behind 2rd row: 33.9 cu.ft | 72.3 cu.ft seats all seats folded MAX
X3: Seats in place: 31.5 cu.ft | Seats folded: 67.1 cu.ft
But these are BMWs after all, so now it’s time to take this fight to the streets!
Powertrains
Even though these two are siblings from the same brand, there are several differences and similarities. A place where they are mostly similar is under the hood. The X5 comes standard with the venerable B58 turbocharged inline-6, with a mild hybrid system. At the same price point, the X3 upgrades its standard engine also to have the turbo I-6 and mild hybrid, but this performance application does make more power. The smaller body and increased power means that the X3 gets to 60 MPH nearly a second faster, according to BMW.
- X5 40i: 3.0L Turbo I-6 w/ Mild Hybrid: 375 hp | 383 lb.ft | 0-60: 5.2s
- X3 M50: 3.0L Turbo I-6 w/ Mild Hybrid: 393 hp | 428 lb.ft | 0-60: 4.4s
Both models have AWD and 8-speed automatic transmissions that are very smooth in normal driving. They can also shift more aggressively when in sport mode via the paddle shifters.
Test Drive and Fuel Economy
Let’s also talk about ride quality. There really is nothing bad to say about either model, as they are both comfortable for their segments. But segment is the key phrase because the X5 is super plush and cancels out even large road imperfections.
Of course, the X3 M50 has performance more in mind from its adaptive M performance dampers, which can really tighten down the suspension for impressive handling.
We love the sounds of the Inline-6 but luxury crossovers still need to be quiet at the end of the day. That’s why here at Car Confections we take sound level readings of all the vehicles we test so that we can see how hushed they are. Our testing shows that the X5 beats the X3 which is not surprising considering the X5 is one of the quietest vehicles we’ve ever tested at any price point. The X3 is also super impressive since it wasn’t tested in Kentucky on our home roads, which is why this is an unofficial result.
X5 40i: 51.6 dB @ 55 MPH
X3 M50: 53.9 db @ 55 MPH
Finally, as you would expect, the smaller BMW gets 2 MPG better fuel economy, combined.
X5: 23/27/25 MPG
X3: 25/30/27 MPG
Resale and Reliability
But now that we’ve gone through everything, let’s return to the price difference and account for that. The X5 in this test rang in $5,715 more expensive than the X3.. I want to emphasize that if money, reliability or resale value matter less to you personally, feel free to disregard these points.
I want to emphasize that if money, reliability or resale value matter less to you personally, feel free to disregard these points. And if you’d like to check out all our data about reliability and resale values, as well as learn about our methodology, make sure to head to www.carconfections.com/resale and www.carconfections.com/reliability. Buying a car is a big decision, and this is a great place to compare all the makes you might be cross-shopping.
2025 BMW X3 vs. 2025 BMW X5 Winner!
So that’s it! Let’s recap and talk about the pros of each models that could them your personal winner based on your preferences.
X5:
- More cargo space
- More luxurious interior & materials
- More conventional design inside and out
X3:
- Futuristic exterior and interior design
- More affordable price tag
- More powerful I-6
Now we want to know your opinions, so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!
Thanks for joining us for another Car Confections Comparison! We’ll catch you next time as we sample the latest automotive delicacies!
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