2006 BMW X3
Upscale, But...
Test drove: 3/27/2006 to 4/11/2006
There are people out there who are big lovers of BMW as a brand. It seems they fall into two categories: People who appreciate the upscale brand image and people who appreciate the driving experience. There are several BMWs I'm in love with for their innovative, family-friendly features. The X3, however, isn't one of them.
You have to understand that I'm speaking strictly in terms of family functionality, not driving performance. If you want to read about the X3's driving performance, there are a million and one reviews out there in that context. If you want to hear about the X3's real-world performance, tested by a real family with real live children (temper tantrums and all), read on.
Installing child safety seats via the Latch connectors is quite simple in the X3 (assuming, that is, that you can pry off the plastic Latch connector covers). What to do with those plastic covers once they're off is another subject entirely. I place them in the netted storage bin on the back of the driver's seat, where my daughter kicks them around with her feet, making an obnoxious clanking noise during every car ride for two weeks. If I actually owned this car, I can bet that those covers would get lost in the car, banished to the same place as the lost purple crayon and the My Little Pony comb my kids still haven't forgotten about.
Speaking of storing "stuff," the X3 seems to have enough cargo space for busy families, but I can't get over only having one cupholder accessible from the driver's seat. I know cupholders don't seem like a big deal, and may even appear slightly frivolous for me to be writing about, but when you don't have enough, that's when you really notice them. I need one to hold my morning tea, plus an auxiliary one nearby for the kids' drink that I'm not ready to pass off to them, or for other important items like my chapstick, cell phone and to-do list.
A second cupholder for the passenger pops out of the dash. Beware: If left in the "out" position, the passenger risks injuring his or her knee on the pokey bottom part when entering the vehicle. I have a colleague who owns this car and has scars to prove it.
The 2006 BMW X3 is a fine vehicle for those who want to be seen in an upscale SUV such as a BMW. If I were planning on spending $44,000 on a car, however, I would probably look past the hood ornament and want some practical features to help me out on the parenting front. Say maybe a DVD player, navigation system, satellite radio, park assist or an automatic tailgate. Sure, some of these are available for an added cost on the X3, but do you really want to pay even more for those features if you can get all that and more (minus the nifty BMW emblem) for $10,000 less?
*For more information on the BMW X5 and its safety features, visit www.cars.com. For questions or comments regarding this review, write to Kristin Varela at MotherProof@msn.com.
LET'S TALK NUMBERS
LATCH Connectors: 2
Seating Capacity (includes driver): 5
IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample
SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Not Really - Fair
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove On): Some - Good Times
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| Base price: | $36,800 |
| Price as tested: | $44,120 |
| Engine: | 3.0L, DOHC 24-valve inline 6-cylinder |
| Fuel: | 16/23 MPG |
| Length: | 179.7" |
| Width: | 73" |
| Step-in height: | 8" ground clearance |
| Cargo space: | 71 cu ft max |
| NHTSA Crash-Test Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Frontal Impact | |
| Driver's side: | Not Tested |
| Passenger's side: | Not Tested |
| Side Impact | |
| Front occupant: | Not Tested |
| Rear occupant: | Not Tested |
| Rollover resistance: | Not Rated |
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Posted by: ninya | Dec 12, 2007 12:44:16 PM
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Posted by: Vladislav Studenov | May 8, 2008 9:42:39 AM
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As a mom of 2 currently driving a 2004 X3, I have to say I completely agree with this review. I REALLY wanted to love this car.
It does handle beautifully in the winter and on dangerous road conditions. That said, I'd rather spend my money on pricey snow tires and still be able to fit my children in my backseat with my shopping(as my trunk is completely full of double stroller, which is so wedged I may never be able to remove it).
And forget about a front seat passenger over 5 ft tall, since they will either jam their knees on the dashbaord, bash their head on entry, or throw out their backs while attempting to cram themselves into the tiny area left in my front seat after I accomodate my daughter's not insubstantial two year old legs in the backseat. But only if the cup holder in the front seat fails to get them first...
Oh, yeah, and there is NO climate control vents in the rear AT ALL. So I'm toasty or cool, respectively ,in the front and my little people are freezing or sweltering in the rear. Not too impressed, folks at BMW.
So, yeah, what she said.
Posted by: Christie | Aug 6, 2007 3:43:46 PM