With so much to experience every day, it stands to reason that you would want to do it all in style. A pre-owned BMW X Series Sports Activity Vehicle is a great place to start your search for an SUV that has space, versatility, and all of the features that make luxury cars worth the price.
However, as you are shopping for a used BMW for sale, you may find that there’s a lot of overlap in the X Series. More importantly, there are plenty of differences, though they may be subtle.
To demonstrate, let’s take a look at the compact BMW X3 and midsize BMW X5. Both are popular as used models, with drivers appreciating how well BMW’s timeless good looks and advanced technology age. For the average driver, however, it may be hard to decide which one is exactly right for you. For help with this quandary, read on.
A Brief Retrospective of the BMW X3
The first question many used car shoppers consider is “how old am I willing to go?” Granted, it’s not wise to choose something that has been on the road for decades already, but the BMW X3 has held its own through the generations.
The BMW X3 made its debut in 2004 as a brand-new concept. It was smaller than most SUVs at the time, came with all-wheel drive via BMW’s new xDrive system, and offered the type of responsiveness we’ve come to expect from BMW. The concept clearly paid off, as over 150,000 first-gen X3 models were sold within the US alone.
Often compared to the BMW 3 Series sedan due to its sporty driving manners, the second-generation X3 ran from 2011 to 2017. The X3 xDrive28i began the generation with the famous aluminum/magnesium N52 3.0L inline-six engine, tuned for 240 hp. In 2013, this was switched to a 2.0L turbocharged inline-four that was also tuned for 240 hp, making the transition relatively easy.
If diesel is your preference, BMW introduced the X3 xDrive28d in 2015. The primary draw of this engine is fuel economy, with its ability to cover 33 MPG on the highway.
Also new for 2015 was the X3 sDrive28i, a rear-wheel drive version of the X3. While the xDrive28d was discontinued at the end of the 2017 model year, the sDrive model held on until the introduction of the fourth generation in 2025. A plug-in hybrid version of the X3 debuted in 2020, but it was dropped after just two years.
A Concise History of the BMW X5
The BMW X5 made its debut with the 2000 model year, just as SUVs were starting to become more and more ubiquitous on American roads. Drivers were showing increasing interest in larger, taller vehicles with all-wheel drive. BMW’s version of the SUV added a luxury touch that landed just right with drivers who liked the SUV concept but wanted more.
The second generation, which arrived in 2007, is one of the most revered generations for the BMW X5, with the introduction of a diesel model (discontinued with the 2019 model year), the debut of the sport-tuned, blazing fast BMW X5 M, and the addition of optional third-row seats, which would be discontinued for the 2023 model year.
The plug-in hybrid BMW X5 xDrive40e was introduced in 2016, giving drivers the option of even more fuel economy with 14 miles of pure-electric driving. Unlike the X3, a PHEV option is still available today with the X5.
The BMW X3 Today
The majority of the BMW X3 models found on the pre-owned lot today are from the third generation, which ran from 2018 to 2024 before the full redesign for 2025.
The third-generation BMW X3 began in high style. Offered in two variants—the xDrive30i and the M40i—the 2018 BMW X3 includes features that many manufacturers have yet to incorporate into their lineup, such as a power liftgate, automatic climate control, and a 12-speaker audio system. Under the hood of the xDrive30i is a 248 hp 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder, while the M40i scoffs at the speed demons on the road with its 355 hp 3.0L turbocharged inline-six.
By the end of the generation, nearly all of this had changed. The 2024 sDrive30i provided rear-wheel power, while the xDrive30i offered traditional all-wheel drive, though both were still powered by the 248 hp engine. The M40i gained a 48V mild-hybrid system in 2022 that increased low-end torque. The X3 M offers a cool, calm, and collected 473 hp via its 3.0L inline-six, though choosing the Competition model nudges that up to 503 hp.
However, the X3’s real strength is its petite-yet-capable size. Third-generation models offer up to 62.7 cu.ft. of cargo space with the rear seats folded, which translates into roomy seating for rear passengers.
The Modern BMW X5
The most recent generation of BMW X5 models debuted in 2019. That year, the X5 was offered in xDrive40i and xDrive50i variants. The xDrive40i comes with the 3.0L inline-six, which is tuned to give this larger vehicle 335 hp. The xDrive50i models include a 4.4L twin-turbocharged V8 that turns that number up to 456 hp.
However, the fourth-generation X5 has the most fun with its features. The most basic 2019 model comes not just with power-adjustable, heated seats, but with 16-way adjustable, three-level heated seats. Front and rear parking sensors are standard, along with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10-speaker audio system. Moving above the base trim, you’ll find heated and cooled cup holders, four-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, and massaging seats. Yes, that’s still the 2019 model.
As with the BMW X3, the X5 has gone through many changes throughout the years, including a mid-generation refresh in 2024. Changes to the lineup include the addition of the rear-wheel drive sDrive40i, the plug-in hybrid xDrive50e, and the speed-seeking M60i.
While the 2024 M60i’s 523 hp V8 is nothing to sniff at, the features are still what help the X5 stand out as a luxury SUV. A curved cockpit display incorporates a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen into one logical layout, and Highway Assistant hands-free driving is among a few of the 2024 innovations that drivers adore.
And the size thing? The 2024 X5 provides up to 72.3 cu.ft. of cargo space with the rear seats folded.
X3 or X5: Which Model Is Best for You?
Sometimes, a manufacturer will produce a model that is obviously the best choice, such as a diesel or hybrid model, or an all-wheel drive versus a rear-wheel drive option. However, in the case of the X3 and X5, you’ll be able to find either model in any of these variations, depending on how far back you’re willing to shop.
The most significant difference between the two vehicles lies in their size and their engine power. The larger X5 has the bigger and more powerful engine options. At the same time, those who don’t need a ton of cargo space or spend a lot of time downtown might be more interested in the quick and nimble X3.
At the end of the day, no matter which model or model year you choose, you get the pleasure of hitting the road from behind the wheel of a well-tuned luxury vehicle.
