BMW’s newest fourth generation X3 PHEV compact crossover, internally codenamed G45 is intelligent, dynamic and versatile. These three distinct characteristics make it a remarkable cross-over that allows latest the X3 to do it all.

The G45 also debuts some new interior design cues, doubling down on clean, simple and clutter-free designs, a sharp contrast to the somewhat busy, yet very athletic and chiseled lines of its exterior.

The G45 BMW X3 is built atop the group’s Cluster Architecture Platform, a new generation modular platform architecture that is designed to handle a wide variety of vehicle widths, wheel-bases and powertrains (internal combustion, plug-in hybrid and fully-electric), with front, rear or all-wheel drive setups. The engine bay can house something as small as an inline three cylinder engine, or as large as a V12 engine. Versatile indeed!

Intelligent

The BMW X3 PHEV comes with a new hybrid powertrain: BMW’s venerable B48 TwinPower Turbo direct-injected and turbocharged four cylinder gasoline fueled internal-combustion powerplant, an already proven performer and a workhorse in the BMW Group. It is augmented by a new plug-in hybrid system that throws in 181hp and 249 Newton-Meters to the mix. The electric powertrain in itself is already very potent, especially when the power and torque are produced pretty much instantly upon throttle tip-in, where you need it the most, 90% of the time in city driving. Add that to the B48’s own 190hp and 310 Newton-Meters of torque and the result is a very substantial 299hp and 450 Newton-Meters.

However, the internal-combustion engine and the electric motor produce maximum power at different RPM’s, which is why the numbers don’t quite add up. Suffice to say, the B48 delivers power further up the rev range, while the electric motor does so at practically zero RPM. You end up with a broad torque-band from 1,750rpm to 4000rpm, while horsepower is equally broad and flexible, available from 1800rpm to 4200rpm. Oodles upon oodles of easy accessible power at the slightest prod of your right foot.

The 19.7kwh battery-pack provides an all-electric range of 81-90km with a full charge. It’s more than enough for most people’s daily commute to and from work and running errands in between. You can charge at home when not in use, or at the mall and other public parking spots so the B48 stays nice and quiet, only turning on once in a while to charge the battery and keep the engine lubricated. But the best part? While the X3 defaults to Hybrid mode upon start-up, it will always prioritize all-electric driving whenever possible to truly maximize your efficiency as well as minimize exhaust-gas emissions. Truly conscientious, and makes for a quiet getaway in the wee hours to play a round of golf.  The result? An easy 20km / liter real-world efficiency even in city driving, more so out on the highway if you keep your speeds between 80-90kmh.

The inside is just as intelligent: a new BMW interior architecture is also introduced featuring a very minimalist design. A 14.9 inch curved display is the primary control center for all in-car electronics. The AC vents for the passengers are moved to the door sidings to clean up the dashboard further. BMW Live Cockpit Professional with augmented view and a heads-up display is standard along with the brand’s BMW Operating System 9. Clean, simple, clutter-free yet crucially, still very much intuitive to use.

As a bonus, the X3 comes standard with a 15-speaker surround sound Harman Kardon hi-fi system, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Veganza comfort seats offer excellent support; they are firm but in a reassuring way that helps maintain good posture on long-drives. Sustainable recycled materials like polyester and other plastics are used inside the cabin.

Simple yet ingenious, it takes a passionate manufacturer to come up with design that is clean, simple, clutter-free, intuitive and ultimately convenient to use. Good stuff from BMW.

Versatile

Of course, the BMW X3 PHEV, as with all crossovers, should be a versatile vehicle: you get 570 liters of trunk space with the rear 40/20/40 split-folding seats up, increasing to 1700 liters with them down. This represents a 10% increase over the previous generation G01 X3. With the folding seats, you can also carry a wide variety of combinations of passengers (whether two legs or more of course) and big bulky objects like skis, bicycles, furniture, appliances and more. There is also an underfloor storage compartment to store smaller items. A powered tailgate is also standard equipment.

There’s an available 216mm ground clearance so the X3 offers a modest concession to soft-roading, but surprisingly has a 500mm water wading depth so most in-city flash floods can be handled confidently. Just don’t try tackling obstacles because there’s only a modest 20.6 approach angle, a 22 degree departure angle and an 18.7 break-over angle. Your weekend out-of-town to the beach or the mountains up north through unknown roads should be perfectly fine. Philippine loop anyone?

Credit also goes to the xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system that helps the X3 find grip and stability on almost all road and weather conditions. As a concession to mundane city life, the X3 has a decent 6.1 meter turning radius, making maneuvering around tight urban areas a breeze.

Interestingly, with the right BMW-approved towing equipment accessory, the X3 in PHEV form can also tow up to 2,000kg, with a maximum of 750kg of unbraked trailer capacity. Towing your race car / jetskis / motorcycles for a fun weekend? The X3 is more than capable.

Dynamic

Of course, no BMW worth its salt should ever be a slouch, and the G45 X3 PHEV is a stellar performer: 0-100kmh sprint in 6.2 seconds, an electronically limited top speed of 215kmh, a maximum lateral acceleration or grip of 0.92g around the skidpad and braking from 100kmh to a complete stop in roughly 36-37 meters. There was ample power to overtake slower moving cars, trucks and buses on the expressway down south and the winding b-roads going up Tagaytay.

Thanks to the hybrid powertrain, there’s the immediate torque available that helps the X3 sprint out of tight hairpins, leaving conventional cars behind in its powerful, electrified wake. It feels extra responsive, as if the bigger six-cylinder B58 is masquerading instead of the little brother B48 powerplant doing all the work beneath the hood.

The M Sport adaptive air suspension is sporty-firm by default, keeping all excess chassis movement at bay. Yet it doesn’t feel as stiff and as abrupt as a go-kart. There’s ample feel, feedback and a sense of fluidity, flowing from corner to corner. Definitely not a black or white, on & off affair, but one with varying shades of grey to tell you what it’s doing as you put the X3 through its paces. Something you will find yourself doing often especially when the road gets tight, twisty and curvy.

The steering is well-weighted, adding heft and feel as you wind up lock. There’s also a sense of fluid zen in how the X3 steers through the tightest of spaces confidently and smoothly. You find yourself holding it reassuringly, confidently and eagerly, anticipating an engaging drive each time you slide behind the wheel of the X3.

The M Sport front brakes are firm, progressive and very reassuring. I never got anywhere near their limit as the 4-piston front Brembo supplied calipers squeeze on substantially sized 332x36mm steel discs consistently and confidently, repeatedly. On my spirited downhill run from Tagaytay (my usual proving route to and from work), the brakes never broke a sweat, rock-solid and ready for more.

With this 3-dimensional persona from the G45 BMW X3 PHEV, it makes for the ultimate daily-driven crossover, number-coding exempt as well. Of course you and I should expect nothing less from the purveyors of the Ultimate Driving Machine.