BMW X3

WITH the new Porsche Macan ~ upping the stakes in the high•performance diesel SUV market, BMW's refreshed X3 has to be better than ever.

This xDrive35d version is the fastest and most costly X3 you can currently buy, offering 309bhp and 650Nm of torque for a rather pricey £45,395.

It's marginally more expensive than Audi's  SQ5 and comes in at over £2,000 more than the new class leader, the Macan S Diesel (tested on Page 86). As before, power in the fl agship X3 comes from a 309bhp 3.0-litre six•cyli nder twin-turbodiesel. And despite the striking output and  permanent all•wheel drive, BMW claims fuel economy of over 47mpg is still achievable better than  its rivals from Audi and Porsche.

The performance on offer is simply staggering for a near-two-tonne SUV. It takes only 5.3 seconds to cover 0-62mph - that's quicker than a Porsche Boxster - and for a diesel it even sounds quite good, too. Tackle a bend  and t he X3 corners neatly with little body roll for a car with such a high centre of gravity. The steering has a delicate precision to it and going through the various driving modes adds weight to the rack. But we found it rather elastic and arti ficial in Sport and Sport+, while both modes also hol d on to gears fortoo long before changing up in auto. While the margins are small, the Macan is more capable.

Yet despite the ferocious performance and surprisingly agile set-up, the X3 is also a supremely refined long-distance cruiser.

Set the car to Comfort and put the standard eight-speed gearbox into auto, and there really are fewer more relaxing ways to get around. At 70mph the X3 pulls just over 1,500rpm, with only a whisper of wind noise making itsel f known in the cabin.  Even on large 19-inch alloy wheels, which come as standard on M Sport models, the ride is supple and rarely phased by rougher surfaces.

Elsewhere on the refreshed X3, the front and rear bumpers have been reshaped for a cleaner look, while new circular headlights give the car a more prominent 'face'. Changes inside are even more minimal, with the arrival of a pair of redesigned cup-holders being the only new addi tion.

However, that does mean quality and practicality remain unchanged, with a 550-litre boot t rumping offerings from the X3' s main rivals. Fol d the rear seats flat and it frees up 1,600 litres.

EQUIPMENT

Flagship model is only available in M Sport trim. This gets 19-inch alloys as tandard, plus sat-nav and climate control .

PRAmCALITY 

While head and legroom are generous in the back, a narrow door opening makes access slightly awkward .

GEARBOX 

Eight-speed auto is standard on top-spec version, but it costs around £1,600 as an option throughout the rest of X3 range .

Essentials

BMW X3 xDrive3Sd MSport
Price:  £45,395
Engine:  3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbodiesel
Power:  309bhp
Transmission:  Eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
0-62/top spd:  5.3 seconds/152mph
Econ/C02:  47.1mpg/157g/km