Say hello to…
…the BMW X3 M50 sitting at the top of the X3 range. Power comes from a 3.0-litre straight six petrol engine producing 393hp. Fitted as standard with BMW’s xDrive four-wheel drive system, the quickest X3 is capable of 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds.
Standard equipment includes 20-inch alloys, heated front sports seats, cruise control, M Sport styling kit, automatic aircon, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry and start, sunroof, parking sensors and auto dimming rear view mirror.
Is the BMW X3 M50 suitable for my fleet
In today’s CO2 focussed world, the X3 M50 would have to be run on a cash-for-car basis, even though it’s a mild-hybrid. However, as mid-size SUV it’s amazingly capable of covering long distances with ease. It also doesn’t take long to refuel – being a petrol car.
It’s also hugely practical, with room for adults in the back seats and plenty of luggage space in the 570-litre boot.
And while a real-world 33mpg may not seem that great, for the performance it is pretty good.
Leasing a BMW X3 M50
Gateway2lease is offering the 340i M Sport saloon for £1,083 a month on a 3+36 contract with 10,000 miles a year. Maintence costs on the same basis should be around £50 a month according to Gensen Reports. Just be aware that if it is run as a company car the monthly Class 1A NIC payments will be £270.
Driving a BMW X3 M50
There’s a sense, within the BMW X3 M50, that this might be one of the last examples of a certain kind of car done properly. Like the six-cylinder petrol models that have defined BMW’s reputation for decades, it delivers a blend of pace, composure and usability that increasingly feels at odds with the direction of travel set by emissions regulation and company car taxation.
On paper, nearly 400hp and a 0–60mph time of 4.6 seconds suggest something that could feel excessive in a mid-size SUV. In reality, it’s anything but. BMW’s engineering (and, crucially, the calibration of its drive modes) ensures the performance is delivered with real sophistication. Around town and on part-throttle inputs, it’s remarkably civilised. The power is always there, but it’s not thrust upon you. Instead, the surplus becomes an asset: overtakes require little effort, motorway cruising is relaxed, and the whole experience feels smoother and more effortless as a result.
That balance is important. Some high-performance EVs can feel abrupt or overly aggressive in their delivery, particularly at low speeds (even all-electric ones). The X3 M50 avoids that trap. When you do lean on it, the engine responds with urgency and a cultured soundtrack, but it never tips into something that feels unruly or mismatched to the car’s size and purpose.
It also carries its performance well through corners. There’s a reassuring sense of control and grip, with enough agility to justify the M badge without compromising ride comfort.
There are, however, a couple of drawbacks worth noting. BMW’s latest infotainment system is impressively quick, but its complexity can be frustrating on the move, particularly for drivers new to the interface. More materially, the wide A-pillar can obscure visibility when approaching roundabouts or junctions from certain angles; something that requires a degree of caution in everyday driving.
Beyond that, the real compromises sit outside the driving experience itself. Undeniably high CO2 emissions make it a difficult proposition in a taxation-led market. But for those operating outside BIK constraints the X3 M50 makes a compelling case as a refined, genuinely enjoyable performance SUV that still understands what driving well should feel like.
Verdict on the BMW X3 M50
As a car for those taking cash, it offers a wonderful (and practical) experience.
BMW X3
- Model: X3 M50 xDrive
- Power: 393hp
- Torque: 580Nm
- Max speed: 155mph
- 0-62mph: 4.6 s
- Official mpg: 35.3mpg
- Test mpg: 33.3mpg
- CO2 emissions: 179g/km
- BIK tax band 2026/27: 37%
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