8 Top BMW X3 Competitors

The sleek Porsche Macan, minimalist Volvo XC60, and the sporty Jaguar F-Pace are just three of the top competitors of the BMW X3.
Written by Bonnie Stinson
Edited by Bellina Gaskey
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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The sleek Porsche Macan, minimalist
Volvo XC60
, and the sporty
Jaguar F-Pace
are just three of the eight top competitors of the BMW X3. 
  • The BMW X3 is one of the best compact SUVs on the road—but it’s far from your only option for a new car.
  • The Porsche Macan and Mercedes-AMG Class come with powerful engine options.
  • The Volvo XC60 offers appealing style and good fuel economy.

1. Porsche Macan

Starting price: $56,250 to $81,250
Selling points: Strong powertrain, athletic styling, and impressive handling 
Weak spot: Limited cargo space and a tight back seat 
This high-class SUV delivers everywhere from the racetrack to picking up the kids from soccer. Not only will you be riding in style, but the Porsche Macan is a powerful SUV. 
All three trim levels come with impressive engine options, particularly the GTS model’s twin-turbo V6 engine generating up to 434 horsepower. 
While every model comes standard with all-wheel drive, there are plenty of options to elevate your Macan’s handling. A few noteworthy options include adaptive suspension, tungsten-carbide-coated rotors, summer tires, and torque-vectoring differential. 
With a 10/10 ranking from Car and Driver, the Porsche Macan is a top choice in its class. 

2. Mercedes-AMG GLC-Class

Starting price: $60,950 to $82,000
Selling points: Luxury cabin, athletic handling, and great high-performance engine options
Weak spot: Loud when cruising and can be a bumpy ride on imperfect roadways 
With an almost perfect score of 9.5/10 from Car and Driver, the
Mercedes-AMG GLC-Class
is a top choice among sporty SUVs. With three powerful engine options, GLCs make anywhere from 385-503 horsepower and 384-503 lb-ft of torque. 
One of the fastest vehicles in its class, the GLC63 can go from 0-60 mph in only 3.6 seconds. That’s faster than its Porsche and Audi rivals!
If that weren’t enough, this sporty SUV boasts a luxury cabin with infotainment and comfort features that are modern and stylish. 

3. Genesis GV70

Starting price: $42,595 to $63,545
Selling points: High-class cabin design, athletic chassis, and robust engines
Weak spot: Tight back seats and a low towing capacity 
Genesis
hit the nail on the head with their first attempt at a compact luxury SUV. The 2022 Genesis GV70 was inspired by the G70 sports sedan, featuring a comparable driving experience with extra cargo space and a higher seating position. 
With a wide variety of trim levels to choose from, each model comes with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. 
Like many Genesis vehicles, even the base trim boasts impressive luxury features. The Genesis GV70 is a top contender amongst compact SUVs, earning a 9/10 rating from Car and Driver. 

4. Volvo XC60

Starting price: $43,745 to $70,595
Selling points: Stylish, good standard driver-assistant technology, and impressive fuel efficiency 
Weak spot: Infotainment isn’t intuitive and the hybrid powertrain needs refining 
If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient compact SUV with a hybrid option, the 2022 Volvo XC60 might be the car for you! This top-seller for
Volvo
is a classic Swedish design: stylish and thoughtful. 
When it comes to engines, the Volvo XC60 comes with three strong options, including a hybrid. For eco-conscious buyers, this car also has the best fuel economy out of our eight competitors, at 26/23/30 mpg. 

5. Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

Starting price: $86,575
Selling points: Great look, drive, and sound 
Weak spot: Lacking back seat and cargo space, questionable reliability
This Italian beauty is a compelling choice among SUVs. With a V6 engine that boasts 505 horsepower and sporty drive-mode settings, you’ll be flying from zero to 60 in an impressive 3.3 seconds. 
With its leather interior and 14-way power-adjustable front seats, drivers sit supported nice and close to the road. The QF’s ambient lighting and heated steering wheel and front seat allow for a luxurious cabin experience. 
Unfortunately, the back seat and cargo area are on the small side, but you can still fit plenty of luggage with the seats folded down.

6. Audi Q5

Starting price: $44,495 to $65,145
Selling points: Ample trim options, high-tech cabin, and beautiful styling 
Weak spot: Limited storage, less engaging drive, and basic warranty
While some of our other options may provide a more engaging drive, the 2022 Audi Q5 still brings style and plenty of high-end features to the table. It’s also one of the few SUVs on our list to offer a plug-in hybrid and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine option. 
Tech lovers will enjoy everything from the Q5’s touchscreen infotainment system to its digital gauge display. While the
Audi Q5
is set up more for everyday comfort than performance, it still received a respectable 8/10 ranking from Car and Driver. 

7. Acura RDX

Starting price: $40,345 to $55,295
Selling points: Affordable, plenty of standard features, and athletic handling
Weak spot: Some awkwardness with the transmission
While the Acura RDX may not be the most luxurious of our options, it is both the most spacious and affordable. It doesn’t skimp on power either, with a spunky turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 272 horsepower.
With its 8.2 inches of ground clearance and all-wheel drive options, it could also make a decent off-road contender.
While the cabin isn’t as deluxe as the competition, it is well-built with many desirable standard features, including power-adjustable, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and ambient lighting.

8. Jaguar F-Pace

Starting price: $52,050 to $66,650 
Selling points: Incredible SUV handling, spacious cargo bay, and refined engines 
Weak spot: Imperfect infotainment system and a stiff ride on larger wheels
The Jaguar F-Pace is both practical and fun to drive. Inspired by the F-Type sports car, the F-Pace holds its own alongside the Audi, Mercedes, and BMW compact SUVs. 
The interior boasts a luxurious, but minimalist, cabin designed with fine materials, a high-tech infotainment system, and many useful driver-assistance features. 
The F-Pace also shines above the competition in its impressive towing capacity of 5,291 lbs. 

BMW X3 vs. the competition

Now that we’ve taken a comprehensive look at the competition, let's look at the key specs side-by-side:
Model
Starting price range (MSRP)
Engine options
Maximum seating capacity
Maximum cargo volume
Maximum towing capacity
Fuel economy (city/highway/combined)
$44,695 to $58,795
2.0L TwinPower Turbo I-4
5 seats
62.7 cubic ft
4,400 lbs
24/21/28 mpg
$56,250 to $81,250
2.0L Turbo I-4
5 seats
53 cubic ft
4409 lb
21/19/25 mpg
$60,950 to $82,000
Twin Turbo V6 or V8
5 seats
56.5 cubic ft
3500 lb
21/18/25 mpg
$42,595 to $63,545
2.5L DOHC T-GDI+MPI I4
5 seats
56.9 cubic ft
3500 lb
24/22/28 mpg
$43,745 to $70,595
2.0L Turbocharged MHEV I4
5 seats
63.3 cubic ft
3500 lb
26/23/30 mpg
$86,575
2.9L Twin Turbo PDI w/ESS V6
5 seats
56.5 cubic ft
3000 lb
19/17/23 mpg
$44,495 to $65,145
2.0L Turbo TFSI 4-cylinder
5 seats
54.1 cubic ft
4400 lbs
25/23/29 mpg
$40,345 to $55,295
2.0L 16-Valve DOHC VTEC Turbo
5 seats
79.8 cubic ft
1500 lbs
23/21/27 mpg
$52,050 to $66,650
2.0L Turbocharged I4
5 seats
69.1 cubic ft
5291 lbs
24/22/27 mpg
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