BMW’s hottest-selling compact SUV, the X3, is just a year old since it has received a facelift, and a new generation X3 is already in the making and will possibly launch in 2024 or the beginning of 2025. Our photographers have caught the upcoming fourth-generation X3 prototype near BMW headquarters as they were being loaded onto a trailer.

Update 7-4-2022: Another BMW X3 prototype was caught testing on public roads, this time with a different camo layout.

Spy Shots - 7-4-2022

The 2022 X3 facelift brought many changes throughout the trims, and the updated looks feel refreshing for the compact luxury SUV. But when the first spy shots of the fourth-generation X3 arrived, it was more of a curiosity than excitement because of how BMW’s design is evolving with the infamously big kidney grilles. From the camouflaged prototype images, we can already tell that the model spotted was the M lite model, the M40i. The front bumper exposes a lower intake grille with a split design, similar to the current X3 M40i. The whole car is heavily camouflaged, and so are the kidney grilles. But a closer look will confirm that the holes underneath will be part of the grilles. The LED headlight graphics seem similar to the newly updated X1 SUV, but it is too early to confirm, as they could be dummy units.

The side profile remains unchanged, with similar window housing and roof design. However, the overall dimensions of the prototype are a little bumped up, with boxy-looking wheel arches, maybe because it is heavily concealed. However, the wheel design is the same as the current-gen X3 M40i, and the wheels are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero high-performance tires. In the rear, the intense camouflage action made it strenuous for us to describe what was going on. The dummy taillights are nothing to point out, but the roof spoiler seems more prominent than before, with a new quad-exhaust setup confirming that the prototype is an M lite model of the X3.

Unfortunately, getting closer to the prototypes was difficult, but the cabin should follow the design of the latest 2023 X1, the M3 Touring, and the 7 Series. In addition, there will be a single curved-glass unit with a 10.25-inch MID and a 10.7-inch infotainment system, with the latest iDrive system installed.

The powertrain details remain unknown but expect mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid variants for the M40i. If nothing changes, BMW will continue with the mild-hybrid system, just like the current-gen M40i, with xDrive and an eight-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.

The spy shots indicate the initial test runs of the upcoming fourth-gen X3, and given that the 2022 model year just received a facelift, expect the new generation X3s to drop by 2025.