Is the BMW X3 a four-wheel drive model?

[LolaAnn]

The BMW X3 features a four-wheel drive system, specifically an on-demand all-wheel drive. Produced by BMW Brilliance, the BMW X3 is a mid-size SUV with a 5-door, 5-seat sedan body structure. Its dimensions are: length 4717 mm, width 1891 mm, height 1689 mm, with a wheelbase of 2864 mm and a fuel tank capacity of 65 liters. The BMW X3 is equipped with a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum power of 135 kW, with peak power achieved at 5000 to 6500 rpm and maximum torque at 1350 to 4250 rpm. The front suspension utilizes a double-joint spring strut front axle, while the rear suspension employs a multi-link independent suspension system.

[MacMelanie]

When I test drove the BMW X3 last time, I paid special attention to its four-wheel drive system. The salesperson mentioned that all current X3 models are equipped with xDrive, which is an intelligent all-wheel-drive system. This system is quite smart—it primarily sends power to the rear wheels during normal driving, making it more fuel-efficient and agile. However, when encountering slippery roads or during rapid acceleration, the front wheels can engage immediately. The multi-plate clutch in the chassis responds very quickly, and you can feel all four wheels working in harmony during turns, providing exceptional stability on mountain roads. As for exceptions, the older sDrive versions were rear-wheel drive, but the new models in China are likely all-wheel drive—you probably won’t find the rear-wheel-drive version anymore, as most on the road are four-wheel drive.

[LenaFitz]

The xDrive all-wheel-drive system in the BMW X3 is currently a mainstream configuration, and I've studied its technical principles. It distributes power through an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case, allowing automatic torque distribution between the front and rear axles ranging from 0-100%. The transmission output shaft is connected to a power take-off unit (PTU), which transfers power to the front differential. This PTU (Power Transfer Unit) design is quite compact. The electronic stability system monitors data such as wheel speed and steering angle to predict slip risks. For example, during startup in rain or snow, the system defaults to a 40:60 front-rear torque split, making it more rear-wheel-drive biased than many on-demand AWD systems, resulting in handling characteristics that feel closer to a sedan.

[TimothyDella]

My X3 has been running for three years, and the most noticeable feature is how effective the four-wheel drive is in rainy conditions. Once on an overpass with water accumulation at the seams, nearby cars were clearly fishtailing, while my car's four wheels held the road steadily. In daily city driving, the fuel consumption is similar to that of a two-wheel drive, around 9 liters per 100 km. But when encountering smooth slopes in parking basements or muddy roads on weekend trips to suburban farmhouses, the tires never slip. The mechanic mentioned that its central differential is basically maintenance-free, which is more convenient than the old Torsen system. However, it's worth noting that this is still a city SUV; for real off-roading, you'd need the X5's off-road package.