All the Best BMW Compact SUVs
BMW offers six small SUVs. The X2 is the smallest and most affordable, but the X3 and X4 are the carmaker’s best-selling SUV models.
Written by Cameron Thiessen
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
If you ask BMW, they’ll tell you they don’t make SUVs—they make “Sports Activity Vehicles.” But the luxury German automaker has a long history of calling things confusing names. In truth, BMW offers six distinct vehicle models classified as subcompact and compact SUVs and crossovers.
The 2023 BMW X2 is the smallest SUV in the manufacturer’s fleet—smaller even than the X1. But the X3 and X4 compact SUVs are the company’s most popular crossover models.
If you’re looking to find your ideal BMW, stick around!
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2023 BMW compact and subcompact SUV models
Including the high-performance M variants of the BMW X3 and X4, BMW offers six different subcompact and compact SUV models.
2023 BMW X1 ($38,600 MSRP)
A sensible person would assume that the 2023 BMW X1 subcompact would be the smallest and most affordable Bimmer SUV—but BMW likes to keep people on their toes. It is, in fact, the second-smallest and second-most-affordable SUV in the current BMW fleet after being completely redesigned for 2023.
It’s available in one trim, the
xDrive28i
, with a single powertrain consisting of a 241-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD).Highlights of the X1 include:
- All-wheel drive no longer costs extra
- Well-equipped in standard form
- Plenty of available performance and technology options
- Increased interior space
Weaknesses include:
- No one has gotten a chance to test the all-new 2023 model yet
- Best driving aids cost extra
- Limited engine options, no hybrid or PHEV version
MORE: BMW car-buying guide
2023 BMW X2 ($36,600 MSRP)
The BMW X2 subcompact SUV has a length of 172.2 inches—5 inches shorter than the X1—making it the smallest of the bunch. Where the X1 focuses on increased space and practicality, the X2 comes in a slightly more affordable package with a more sleek style.
Unlike the X1, the X2’s all-wheel-drive system costs an additional $2,000—meaning the X1 xDrive28i and the X2 xDrive28i are the same price when the playing field is level. If you’re trying to choose between the two, the X1 is the more practical option, while the X2 sacrifices interior space for a cooler look and an overall better on-road feel.
Highlights of the X2 include:
- Easiest BMW SUV to park
- Super stylish exterior design
- More fun than the X1
- 21/31 mpg (city/highway)
Weaknesses include:
- Less interior space than competitors
- Volvo XC40 is quicker, more powerful, and more practical
- Not great on rough terrain
2023 BMW X3 ($45,400 MSRP)
The 2023 BMW X3 compact SUV is undoubtedly a significant step up from the X1 and X2 models. It’s Car and Driver’s top-rated model out of BMW’s subcompact and compact SUVs, having earned a 9/10.
It’s also the most popular BMW SUV, the result of reimagining the 3-Series sedan—the most popular BMW model overall—as a sporty crossover. The base
BMW X3 sDrive30i
engine is a 248-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-four that’s slightly faster than the X2. Upgrading to the
M40i
gets you a powerful 382-horsepower mild-hybrid powertrain that features a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six and standard AWD.With the BMW X3 M40i’s upgraded powertrain, the BMW X3 can accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds, finishing a quarter-mile sprint in 12.8 seconds. This means it’s not much slower than the 3-Series M340i.
Highlights of the X3 include:
- 23/29 mpg (city/highway) for base RWD sDrive30i
- Exciting powertrain upgrade offering top-notch, classic BMW thrills
- The perfect “crossover-ification” of the favorite 3-Series
- Practical and sporty at the same time
- Great standard tech
Weaknesses include:
- No longer in entry-level luxury pricing territory
- Mild-hybrid automatic engine shutoff isn’t very smooth
- German rivals Audi and Mercedes-Benz offer more luxurious interiors
2023 BMW X3 M ($72,900 MSRP)
The 2023 BMW X3 M is a high-performance version of the regular X3 compact SUV. It has the same chassis and interior as the regular X3, but most of the optional luxury items from the X3 are standard with the M.
The X3 M is distinguished mostly by its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine that produces 473 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque with its base trim. The top-spec
BMW X3 M Competition
trim gets a sport exhaust upgrade that increases engine output to 503 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque.The X3 M Competition has a faster 0-to-60 acceleration time than the M3 sedan, able to get up to speed in just 3.3 seconds and finish a quarter-mile in just 11.6 seconds—about half a second behind the M3.
Highlights of the X3 M include:
- Did we mention that it’s fast?
- Just as practical as the regular X3
- Standard all-wheel drive
- Responsive steering
- Handles like a sedan
Weaknesses include:
- Performance-focused equipment results in a stiff ride
- Significantly higher price
- 14/19 mpg (city/highway)
2023 BMW X4 ($53,400 MSRP)
The 2023
BMW X4
compact “SUV coupe” is to the BMW X3 what the X2 is to the X1. It’s a compact SUV version of the 4-Series coupe, sporting the same guts as the X3 models but switching out the practical exterior design for a more style and performance-oriented shape. Like the X2, this means sacrificing both rear-seat passenger headroom and cargo space.
If you’re not sure how to choose between the X3 “squareback” and the X4 “fastback,” ask yourself this question: Do I want to spend significantly more money to look cool, even if it means my adult friends are more likely to bump their heads getting into the back seat of my Bimmer?
If the answer is “yes,” then pick the X4!
Highlights of the X4 include:
- More aerodynamic than the X3, especially with the M Sport package
- Standard AWD
- More luxurious than the X3 in most respects, including standard tech
- No denying that it does look cooler than the X3
Weaknesses include:
- Reduced interior space for cargo and rear passengers
- Is the extra price really worth the stand-out styling?
2023 BMW X4 M ($76,400 MSRP)
After already discussing the X3, X3 M, and X4, there’s not much more to say about the 2023
BMW X4 M
, other than pointing out that it is the most expensive compact SUV that BMW makes—and the fastest. Like the regular X3 and X4, the X4 M is more expensive and a bit more luxurious than the X3 M. But it compromises on space and practicality for the sake of improved performance and an undeniable increase in the all-important cool factor. The upgraded twin-turbo inline-six is the exact same as the X3 M’s.
The X4 M Competition is ever-so-slightly faster than the X3 M Competition, beating its 0-to-60 mph time by 0.1 seconds in Car and Driver’s test. Drivers will also find that it is more adept at cornering thanks to its more streamlined body.
Highlights of the X4 M include:
- Thrilling driving experience
- Unique mashup of SUV and coupe styling
- The ultimate intersection of BMW SUV luxury and sports car performance
- Slightly better gas mileage than the X3 M (15/20 mpg city/highway)
Weaknesses include:
- Just try convincing your spouse that this is the BMW you need
- Ride is anything but comfortable
- Reduced space and practicality, despite the higher price
What is BMW’s smallest SUV?
While the X1 was once the smallest BMW SUV, the all-new X1 got bigger, resulting in the subcompact X2 becoming the smallest BMW SUV in the 2023 fleet.
- BMW X1 wheelbase: 106 inches
- BMW X2 wheelbase: 105.1 inches
- BMW X1 passenger volume: 101.2 cubic feet
- BMW X2 passenger volume: 94.1 cubic feet
What is BMW’s cheapest SUV?
Bet you didn’t see this coming—it’s the X2! However, it’s only cheaper than the X1 because AWD isn’t standard. Adding it to the X2 brings it up to the same MSRP as the base X1 with standard all-wheel drive.
MORE: Are BMWs expensive to maintain?
How to save on BMW insurance
Thanks to their fairly generous offerings of standard safety and driver-assistance features, BMW’s compact and subcompact SUVs often qualify for safety discounts. But bear in mind that compact SUVs are usually a bit cheaper to insure than subcompact models since larger vehicles are typically more sturdy and likely to sustain less damage in an accident.
Of course, you’re always going to end up paying a bit extra to insure a BMW SUV versus a model that doesn’t come with a luxury badge. But if you want to keep your
car insurance
costs low, using the Jerry
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