BMW recently revealed a plethora of vehicles as part of the 2022 model refresh. One of them included the X3 M Competition. The German revealed the M models for the X3 and the X4 a couple of years back and have now refreshed it for the 2022 model year. It comes with nips and tucks on the inside and outside. Apart from this, the SUV also comes with a slight bump in the torque figures that results in quicker 0-60 mph times. Overall, not bad for what is essentially just a refresh.

What’s Different On The Outside?

The refreshed model receives the tweaks you would expect on a mid-cycle refresh. For starters, it now comes with an enlarged kidney grille (I can already hear some of you go “Ugh!”). The adaptive headlights have gotten slightly slimmer, while the front bumper is redesigned. They feature more vents, thus channeling cool air to the brake system, transmission, and of course, the engine. The 2022 X3 M Competition rides on 21-inch wheels as standard and wrapped in 255/40 section tires at the front and 265/40 section tires at the rear.

At the rear, the SUV receives new full-LED taillights. These are the same ones seen on the new X3. Just like the headlights, they are also slimmer and come with a black border that highlights them even more. The lower section of the rear bumper is M-specific and finished in high-gloss black. Overall, it looks much more aggressive and bold.

The 2022 X3 M Competition comes with eight different paint finishes, including four new colors:

-* Carbon Black Metallic

-* Brooklyn Grey Metallic

-* Bay Blue Metallic

-* Sao Paulo Yellow

2022 BMW X3 M Competition exterior dimensions

What’s Different On The Inside?

The cabin layout seems to be inspired by the 4 Series here. The SUV comes with M sports seats with an illuminated M logo on them. They are upholstered in Merino leather and are available in three different dual-tone shades. The Midrand Beige/Black upholstery also comes with Alcantara inserts to add to the plushness. Adding exclusivity to the Competition model are the BMW M stripes on the seat belts.

Behind the leather steering wheel with the contrast stitching in M logo colors is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The SUV comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen on the standard X3, but the X3 M Competition comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen system. It runs on the iDrive 7.0 system and features Live Cockpit Professional as standard. A Harmon Kardon surround system also comes as standard.

2022 BMW X3 M Competition interior dimensions

What Powers The 2022 X3 M Competition?

This is the same mill found under the hood of the M3 and the M4 as well. It continues to churn out 503 horses at 6,250 rpm, but makes 479 pound-feet of torque between 2,750- and 5,500 rpm; an increase of 37 pound-feet. Power is sent to all the wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Thanks to this, the SUV is much quicker in its 0-60 mph sprints, taking just 3.7 seconds as opposed to four seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph in the standard models and 177 mph when equipped with the M Driver’s package.

2022 BMW X3 M Competition specifications

When Will The 2022 BMW X3 M Competition Arrive?

The market launch for the SUV is slated for September 2021 and deliveries should commence soon after.

2020 BMW X3 M Competitors

Mercedes-AMG GLC63

The AMG GLC63 is already available, but it's brand-new for the 2018 model year. Beefed up in a similar fashion, the AMG version sports a significantly more aggressive exterior compared to the standard model, while the interior gets a host of unique luxury features. Under the hood, it's the only vehicle in this niche to still use a V-8, in the form of a twin-turbo, 4.0-liter unit. Sounds familiar? It should because it's the same engine available in almost all AMG models nowadays. With specific revisions for each vehicle of course. As usual, two flavors are available. There's a "base" GLC63 rated at 469 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque and a GLC63 S version good for a solid 503 horses and 516 pound-feet of twist. The GLC63 S is not yet available in the U.S., but the "base" GLC63 retails from $69,900.

Read our full review of the Mercedes-AMG GLC63.

Porsche Macan Turbo

Until Audi delivers an RS version of the Q5, the Porsche Macan Turbo is pretty much the only option available outside the Mercedes-AMG above. The most powerful iteration of the small German crossover, the Macan Turbo gets its juice from a twin-turbo, 3.6-liter V-6 rated at 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. That might not sound like a lot compared to the AMG GLC63, but when equipped with the Performance Package, the Macan Turbo benefits from 434 horsepower and 443 pound-feet on tap. The Performance Package also slashes the 0-to-60 mph sprint to only 4.2 seconds, while all-wheel-drive is standard for excellent dynamics and stability. Pricing for this model starts from $87,700, which isn't cheap, but not overly expensive compared to its rivals.

Read our full story on the Porsche Macan Turbo.

Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Launched for the 2018 model year, the F-Pace SVR is one of the most extreme crossovers in this niche. A more aggressive take on the F-Pace design-wise, the SVR looks quite menacing when compared to the X3 M, sporting massive intaes up front, a lowered ride height, and a diffuser with a quad-exhaust setup around back. The interior has been beefed up as well, now featuring sportier seats, carbon-fiber trim, and extra standard equipment. But it's the drivetrain that sets this beast apart, as the supercharged, 5.0-liter V-8 engine delivers a whopping 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of twist. Getting to 60 mph takes only 4.1 seconds, while the top speed goes as high as 176 mph. Pricing starts from $79,990 in the United States.

Read our full review of the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace SVR.

FAQ

Q: How Big Is The 2022 X3 M Competition?

The SUV measures 186 inches in length, 74.7 inches in width, and 65.7 inches in height. It has a 112.8-inch long wheelbase and sits 8.1 inches above the ground.

Q: How Much Does The 2022 X3 M Competition Weigh?

It weighs 4,610 pounds. This is surprisingly the same as the standard X3.

Q: How Spacious Is The 2022 X3 M Competition?

On the inside, the SUV offers 40.7 inches of headroom, 40.3 inches of legroom, and 57.6 inches of shoulder room in the first row. The second row is spacious enough too, offering 38.5 inches of headroom, 36.4 inches of legroom, and 56 inches of shoulder room.

Q: How Much Cargo Space Does The 2022 X3 M Competition Offer?

Behind the second-row, the SUV offers 28.7 cubic feet of space. The rear seats can be flipped and you’ll have a lot more space at your disposal, but BMW hasn’t revealed the figures yet.

Q: How Much Does The 2022 X3 M Competition Cost?

There is no price revision. The X3 M starts at $69,900 plus $7,000 for the Competition package. So, this brings the starting price to $76,900.