If you’re looking for a vehicle to take on your next off-roading adventure, the BMW X3 is probably not the car for you. While it can make it through rough terrain if needed, this luxury SUV is designed for smooth city driving.

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Can the BMW X3 go off road?

Yes—if needed, the BMW X3 can go off road. You will likely run into trouble if you come across any large rocks. In other words, the BMW X3 can get you through a sticky situation, but it’s not designed for hardcore off-roading.

Starting at $43,000, the BMW X3 may surprise you with its agile handling, great luxury tech features, and no shortage of practicality.

But will this luxury compact SUV be a good fit for your next venture into the great outdoors? Let’s dive into some of the key BMW X3 specs.

Ground clearance

With off-roading, ground clearance is one of the most important numbers to keep your eye on. The BMW X3’s minimum ground clearance is 7.2 inches, just shy of what you’d like to see for safe off-roading.

For any trips off road, you’re looking for a ground clearance number between 8.8 and 10.8 inches. That’s because when traveling over rough terrain, you need a higher ground clearance to protect your car’s undercarriage from getting damaged.

Torque

The best torque for traveling off road is low-end torque—in other words, high amounts of torque at lower rpm. Because torque is the turning ability of your engine, it becomes more important than speed when you’re off road. Horsepower, on the other hand, is the total power output of your engine.

The BMW X3’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine gets a maximum torque of 258 lb-ft @ 1450 RPM. Unfortunately, that is not enough horsepower to support off-roading, particularly on extreme terrain.

Tires

The 2022 BMW X3 comes with Bridgestone Alenza 001 RFT tires. These tires are designed for luxury SUVs to optimize grip on both dry and wet roads. They receive four stars out of five from Tyretest.com.

For off-roading, you’ll want to find a set of

all-terrain tires

or A/T tires. They are designed for both off-roading and everyday city driving. While they tend not to last as long as standard all-season tires, their aggressive tread pattern offers increased traction that is handy both on and off the road.

Drivetrain

The BMW X3’s all-wheel drive allows it to handle some off-roading, but the AWD exists to help the X3 handle snowy roads. The BMW X3 also comes with Independent Rear Suspension (IRS), which also lends itself well to off-roading. IRS is common on off-road vehicles, but it was added to the X3 to provide a smoother ride on cracked pavements or driving over potholes.

Angles

With all the ups and downs of off-roading, it's important to consider angles: specifically, the approach angle and departure angle:

Approach angle: the highest angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference

Departure angle: the highest angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference

The BMW X3’s angles are designed for highway driving, with approach and departure angles of 25.7 and 22.6 degrees, respectively. That will get the X3 over some gentle ups and downs, but it won’t stand up to the serious rocking and rolling of off-roading.

Off-road rating: In a pinch

We’ve rated the BMW X3’s off-roading abilities using

Jerry’s

super-technical DIRT rating system, broken down in the table below:

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I	In a Pinch	Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R	Rough and Ready	Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T	Trail Boss	True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain

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We give the BMW X3 an I rating: this luxury SUV will do surprisingly well in a pinch, say on roads with cracks, potholes, or gravel. Its AWD and IRS will also help keep you safe during the winter on ice or snow. If you’re looking for a dedicated off-roading vehicle, you’re better off with something like a Jeep Wrangler.

MORE:

The best old-school off-road vehicles

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The best off-road alternatives to the BMW X3 Off Road

If you’re looking for a luxury SUV with better off road capabilities than the BMW X3, consider the

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

. Maybe you’re looking for something a little more affordable with the option for off road driving. If so, consider the

2020 Volvo XC60

Here are the best alternatives to the BMW X3—no matter your priorities.

Alternative	Model	Price	Description
Best affordable alternative	2020 Volvo XC60	$40,150	The XC60 comes with an off-road drive mode that provides high ground clearance, enhanced all-wheel drive, light steering, and an activated low-speed control function with hill descent control.
Best eco-friendly alternative	2022 Audi Q5	$43,300	This hybrid comes with the option to use “off road mode” for smoother experiences hitting the trails. Enjoy improved traction, hill descent control, a tilt angle indicator, and more.
Best alternative for serious off-roading	2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300	$43,850	Add the Off-Road Package to the GLC for increased ground clearance and various performance-enhancing features.

MORE: Cheap off-road trucks

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How to find affordable car insurance for off road vehicles

Because of the extra cost and risks associated with off-road vehicles, they are often more expensive to insure. To find the best rate, download the top-rated insurance app

Jerry

a licensed insurance broker

and an expert in comparison shopping, Jerry compares rates from over 55 top insurers in less than 45 seconds to find you custom quotes for the coverage you need.

The best part? By shopping with Jerry, users save an average of $800+ per year on car insurance. Imagine the kind of off-road mods you could buy with all that extra cash!