The X5 is larger and more luxurious. It also currently has updated hardware that gives it more features like remote start. There are rumors that the LCI for the X3 might add these features. If you get the X3M40 version it will nimbler. In the city the X3 will be easier to park.

 

When I ordered my 2020 X5 I wanted multicontour seats - they did not appear to be available on the X3. Plus we needed more "luggage space". And I wanted a spare tire - not sure if X3 can store one.

 

The X3 does offer a spare tire. It also offers non-run-flat, all-season tires on the 30i if you don't get the M Sport Package.

Yeah, everything on the X5 is a little bit better than on the X3. The unique, cool things the X5 has are the two-piece tailgate and the Multi-Contour seats..

We found the X5 was harder to get in and out of, partly because the front seats seem farther from the side of the car than on the X3.

The X3 30i gets phenomenal fuel economy... if you want it to.

Comparably equipped, a X5 40i is about $15k more expensive than a X3 30i.

We decided the X3 was sufficient for a two-person household.

 

We had a previous generation '17 X3 28i for 3.5 years and loved it. We also had a '17 340xi and had similar feelings. We replaced both of them with a '21 X5 xDrv40i since we no longer required two vehicles. My takeaway is that the X5 is comparable to the 5 series and the X3, obviously, the 3 series. As others have mentioned, there is a big jump in available 'luxury' features (e.g., comfort/message seating, merino leather, crystal controls, sky lounge lighting, etc.), options (e.g., air suspension, etc.), and an incremental increase in size. While there is certainly more room for front seat passengers, rear seat and storage isn't that much better than our old X3. I think there may be an additional 10sq/ft of storage in the X5. That said, we absolutely love our X5. We optioned it up to close to $80k so pretty much every available option (some more useful than others). It's smooth, powerful ( - enough- couldn't justify the $100k plus for the M50), gets surprisingly good mileage, and extremely comfortable. If we go back to a two-car family, the second one would likely be a 911 or M car. Perfect garage!

 

We are also 2 person plus dog empty nester and I settled for X3 this year as X5 fuel economy and size felt too big. V happy with X3. Wife has a 328i. Now that we have had it she says she will take the x3 and we should consider x5 45e. Big trips x5, short trips x3. I would like it but I have been working from home for past year and can’t justify another bmw parked in the garage and right now it’s dealers market, so I will wait for 2022 x5. I’m also hoping they increase battery size and allow faster charging. I don’t like iX. For now I just take my x3 out every evening for 5 mile drive to escape cooped up working from home.

 

My wife has a 2020 loaded X5 40i, and I have a loaded 2021 X3 M40i. The X5 has more luxury features, (acoustic glass, heated and cooled cup holders, soft close doors, massaging seats, and so much more), plus with air suspension rides like a cloud, besides being a much larger vehicle. I on the other hand wanted a fast sports car that handles like its on rails, and can visit Home Depot on weekends!

 

I have a 2020 X5....Im getting old.. Im 76.. Was just wondered if the X3 would be easier for me to get in and out of.. Mine has the 20" Tires too which doesnt help anything... Course maybe the suspension may make it easier but like someone said. stepping in the car(X5) seems further from the edge of the car to the seat on the x5 . Id still be tempted to get the 6 cyl on the x3

 

With the air suspension the X5 lowers substantially. I’m 5’7” and seventy nine getting in and out is easy. I also agree with others the luxury level in the X5 is much higher than in the X3. The X3 might be be more fun and nimble but the interior materials in the 5 are a significant step up in quality.

 

As someone who recently had a very nice X3 M-Sport prior to my 2021 X5, the one thing that cannot be undervalued is the comfort level. The X3 is rougher riding, no question. The fit-and-finish on the X5 in almost every conceivable area is better as well, and there was nothing wrong with the X3's finish. Don't get me wrong, I really liked my X3 a lot, it served its purpose extremely well and I did well with it from a value standpoint when selling, but it is simply no X5.

I hear the X3 M40i really brings sportiness to another level, but I already had a Macan S and didn't care for it at all, so didn't want a similar vehicle in the X3 M40i, plus it rides even stiffer than a M-Sport X3. I was ready for some comfort while having a little fun.

Chiefsfan, you did so much cosmetically to get yours where you wanted and 76 is NOT old. I am in my 60's and love my M-Sport X5. Sure, it has its challenges for getting in and out, but it is SO MUCH better in my opinion than the X3.

Just don't.......

 

Did anyone consider the X3 rather than the X5? Is size that big of a difference or are there "things" the X3 doesn't have that the X5 does???

Yes, we did. We currently own two X3s, but looking to upgrade one to X5. Upgrade is primarily for comfort on longer rides - better seats, ventilation, massage. I also think X45e has longer electric range than X3 plug-in. Also I want ability to raise the car with air suspension when getting to some hiking trailheads. Make sure you measure your garage since X5 is quite a bit bigger.

 

I didn't know anything much about the BMW when I got mine.. There are of course some things I wish I had... Air Suspension is one. But I think adding that now would be very expensive.. Mercedes is nice too but they get expensive fast..

 

Adding air suspension would be prohibitively expensive or impossible. Better to trade the car for one with it.

 

I upgraded from a 2018 X3 xDrive30i. The primary thing the X3 has going for it is the reclining rear seat. Otherwise, the X5 is a HUGE step up. The X3, being smaller, is more nimble with better gas mileage. But, I think that's kind of obvious. Conversely, there isn't as much room in the X3 because it's smaller. I don't really count that as a plus or minus because that's pretty obvious.

To put it briefly, we started thinking of upgrading b/c our kids got a lot taller a lot faster than we expected. That and the seats in the X3 were REALLY uncomfortable on long drives. I mean, it wasn't Audi Q5 bad, but it wasn't comfy and it's our road trip car. I wasn't super happy with the infotainment on the X3, including the steering wheel buttons. So, before the value of the X3 tanked, we looked at the X5. With all the incentives and stuff, it wasn't quite as big a jump financially as we thought so we went for it. No regrets, even tho I actually still quite like the X3.

 

And why is the X7 SOOOOO much more $$? Just for a 3rd row which most will flip down anyway..

 

Bigger, more luxurious, standard air suspension, etc.

 

I had an X7 loaner, with captain's chairs in the back. If I were in a group of four adults taking a long road trip, that's the vehicle I'd want to do it iin.

All the mommies in Bubbe Estates ooooh-ed and ahhhh-ed when they saw the X7 in my driveway. But, it was black and than made it look like a hearse. That was creepy. But, they make them in other colors.

On my trip to Sam's Club, the X7 held six cases of bottled water (40 1/2 liter bottle cases). But, so does the X3.

 

Actually, it's even a notch simpler than that. Many states have made it illegal to have a kid in the passenger seat (due to airbags). So third kid = third row. That's the simple reason you have enormous "sports activity vehicles" and 8-occupant minivans everywhere.

 

X5 is just a bit plusher than X3. Yesterday we went out of town and it was my chance to have my wife drive the X3. She has a 328i. She liked it - felt it was solid and. Could handle it ... she was concerned it is a big car compared to 328. So we discussed and we will get an x5 (May be hybrid) once the car buying mania stops and parts are not in short supply.maybe 2022. I really like the merino leather and massage seats for trips. Don’t get me wrong the X3 is a lot of fun, it’s supple and not tiring in traffic, auto hold and Acc is pure joy in traffic and freeway trips respectively.
I am hoping bmw brings back some of the comfort features like cold n hot cup holders and soft closing doors. Given the market I am afraid bmw will hike its 2022 price more than normal and extract more blood from customers for options.

I am seeing signs of inflation. Food in restaurant is almost double the cost, proctor and gamble increasing price of stuff.... we need some inflation to curb the appetite of course without crashing the market. Who know!

 

I have an X3d and I really love the vehicle. The low end torque is a blast. I also want an X5 with 3rd row seating and air suspension. With the 3rd row, the back seat slides back more and the back can be tilted back as well. I also want to put on trailer hitch. The third row will let us go somewhere with my son and his family.
Problem is my lovely wife who will not let me trade in her Nissan Rogue for an X5!!!! Help! "You don't need 2 BMWs" Actually I do.

 

From the factory, ALL of the wheel options and tires are almost exactly the same OD, so wheel size has nothing to do with how high it sits. On the X5's with air suspension, you can lower the body height a bit to make it easier to load the rear, or for people to get in/out of it. You have to remember to do this, as it's not a settable value to go to the lowest setting, as it will need to go up some to drive it. There are some supply issues, so air suspension may be harder to come by right now.

 

Wonder if anyone has put after market Air on an x5

 

I currently have a 2019 X5-40i and love it. I have 75k miles on it and no problems. I have just about all the options on it except for the expensive radio. I love the all-wheel steering and the air-ride suspension. Although my X5 came with the M-sport package, I was lied to at the dealership as to the top speed of my X5. I was told it would be 155 but found out it was 130.

So I ordered an X3M40i. I am still waiting for it to be assembled. I wrote BMW several weeks ago and found an interesting tidbit about the X3's tires. If you order the X3 with the standard all weather rft's, your top speed will be 130. However, if you order any of the other tire sizes that have performance rft's, your top speed will be 155. BMW did not actually say 155 but they did say the top speed limiter would be increased. I also ordered a spare tire.

I was not sure at first if I could sit comfortably in the X3 so I sat in some of them and found no difference from the X5. The main difference is the X3 is 9" smaller.

Don't be confused about the new wording on the seats. My X5 had contour seats. Upon researching the new X3, I found it had sport seats by default. I went to the dealership and found a new X3 and a new X4 and both had the new sport seats. They looked like the former contour seats. I sat in both of them and felt no difference. I don't understand why BMW changed the wording. I did notice you can still get the uncomfy BMW sport seats for an additional $950. They have the BMW logo in the top of the seat and the sides of that seat is too narrow for a man like me. I wear a 54 long suit jacket. The new sport seats that replaced the contour seats are not narrow. Otherwise, I would have ordered a Porsche Macan.

 

We looked at the X3 after driving a leased X5 for 3 years and decided that another X5 was just what we needed. I love the room for my dogs (2 crates in the back). For traveling you just can't beat the room and the ride with the air suspension is so nice. We bought this one with the idea that it will be around for at least 7-8 years or maybe more.

 

I didnt know darn thing about these cars when I got mine. I guess I was lured by the discount of a loaner..and the color was the most beautiful blue color Id ever seen. I wasnt aware of all the other stuff offered, but then of course the discount wouldnt have been as much. They even delivered it to me in person..some 150 miles away. I do wish I had air suspension.. I guess for a price, that could be done..I also wish mine had the M pkg on it...