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BMWX3 Plug-in Hybrid (2020-2024)

Medium/Large SUV
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
Used only

£22,179Typical price

Test score

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Between 2020 ans 2024, BMW’s mid-size SUV was available as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) as an alternative to conventional petrol and diesel power. Called the BMW X3 xDrive30e, it uses both a petrol engine and an electric motor to deliver some exceptional fuel economy claims. Does it achieve them in real life, though? And how well does it perform? Find out in our full BMW X3 Plug-In Hybrid review.

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What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What’s it like to drive?
How reliable are BMW's plug-in hybrid cars?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Nov 2024Last checked by Which?
Dec 2020First reviewed by Which?
Jan 2020Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

20 May 2025

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (large cars, SUVs and MPVs)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of two stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. Any car that receives three stars can't be a Best Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Safety kit

How we test safety kit

We factor in the safety equipment that’s factory-fitted or optional, along with how well the car protects its occupants and pedestrians in the event of an accident. We also test how easy it is to fit a variety of child car seats.

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Full hybrid reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Medium/Large SUV
Luxury	Yes
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£22,179 - £46,012
Fuel type	Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
Tested fuel efficiency	53.4mpg
Length	4,708mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,891mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,150mm
Height	1,676mm
Driver max height
Second-row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	12 m
On sale date	01 January 2020
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£23.88

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	xDrive30e xLine Steptronic
Fuel type	Plug-in-Petrol-Hybrid
Capacity and power	2-litre (292hp)
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Four-wheel-drive (4WD)
Fuel tank capacity	50 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel efficiency (mi/kWh)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	23.88p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£67
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	126
Tested electric-only range (miles)
Official fuel economy: WLTP	122.8 to 148.7
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d-Temp
Braked tow load (KG)	2000kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	19 November 2020
Test programme	2017

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BMWX3 Plug-in Hybrid (2020-2024)

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