BMW Canada expands X3 line-up for 2010MY

The Mercedes-Benz GLK has been a tremendous success. Great styling and aggressive pricing is putting a lot of potential X3 customers behind the wheel of Stuggart's sweetheart.

And let's not forget about the Audi Q5. Ingolstadt's first entry into the segment has boosted Audi Canada sales for the last few months.

BMW Canada once reigned supreme in the small luxury SUV/CUV segment. Things have changed.

In an effort to lure customers away from the new competitors, BMW Canada has expanded the X3 line-up for the 2010MY, with the introduction of the $39,900 BMW X3 xDrive28i, undercutting the GLK350 by $1,900 and $3,500 less than the Q5

The X3 xDrive28i comes equipped with a 3.0 litre in-line six cylinder engine pumping out 215hp and 185 lb-ft of torque, 53hp and 55hp less than the GLK350 and Q5, respectively. An Executive Package consisting of a heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof is available for $41,000, $800 less than the GLK.

Since the Q5 and GLK are more powerful, perhaps a better comparison would be with the 260hp X3 xDrive30i, which for 2010 has more standard equipment such as a panorama sunroof, BMW Assist with Bluetooth Wireless Technology as well as 18” Double Spoke Alloy Wheels.

According to BMW this is $3,100 of added value over '09. Unfortunately they succumbed to temptation and raised the price, albeit by a modest $500.

I only have one question. What was BMW thinking when they changed their nomenclature. X3 xDrive28i? Since the letter 'X' has long represented AWD in the BMW line-up imposing 'xDrive' in the title is somewhat redundant.

I digress. The 2010 X3 should be in showrooms shortly.

[Source: BMW Group Canada]