What are the differences between the BMW X3 xDrive25i and xDrive28i?
3 Answers
The differences between the BMW X3 xDrive25i and xDrive28i can be categorized into the following aspects: 1. Performance: The primary distinction between the 25i and 28i lies in their power output. Although both are equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine, the 25i delivers a maximum power of 184 PS and a maximum torque of 290 Nm, while the 28i offers a maximum power of 224 PS and a maximum torque of 310 Nm. In terms of acceleration, the 25i achieves 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, whereas the 28i is one second faster at 7.6 seconds. 2. Features: The 28i comes with additional features such as sport seats, a full LCD instrument panel, ambient lighting, and the sport package version of the 28i also includes paddle shifters. 3. Engine: The 25i model is powered by a 2.0T low-power engine with the model code B48B20C. The B48 series represents BMW's latest generation of engines, featuring numerous upgrades over the previous N20 series, resulting in improved performance. The 28i model is equipped with a 2.0T medium-power engine, model B48B20D.
I've driven the BMW X3 a few times myself, and the main differences between the 25i and 28i lie in the powertrain. The 25i engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged unit with a lower output version, delivering around 184 horsepower. It's more than sufficient for daily city driving, but acceleration is slightly slower, and you might feel it lacks punch when overtaking. The 28i has the same engine but with higher tuning, producing 248 horsepower, and it's over a second quicker in 0-100 km/h acceleration, offering noticeable push-back feeling and more confidence at high speeds. In terms of fuel consumption, the 28i is slightly higher, averaging about 0.5 liters more per 100 kilometers, but the difference isn't significant. For daily commuting, the 25i is more worry-free, but if you frequently drive on highways or enjoy spirited driving, the 28i is worth the extra cost. There's also a price difference of several tens of thousands between the two, so your choice should depend on your driving habits. BMW engines are quite reliable, but I recommend test driving both to personally feel the differences rather than just relying on the specs.
From an economic perspective, the core difference between the BMW X3 25i and 28i lies in practicality and expenses. The 25i variant offers sufficient power with its 184 horsepower, handling city traffic lights and highway cruising effortlessly while delivering slightly better fuel efficiency, resulting in lower long-term ownership costs—especially in fuel and insurance savings. The 28i, with 248 horsepower, provides quicker acceleration suited for spirited driving, though at marginally higher fuel consumption and a purchase price tens of thousands higher. Opting for it is essentially paying for that performance bump, though in 95% of daily scenarios, the difference is negligible. Both share the same 2.0T BMW B48 engine series, so maintenance costs and parts affordability are similar. If budget-conscious, the 25i delivers better value; if occasional thrill-seeking is a priority, the 28i is an option—but don’t expect dramatic surprises. The X3’s overall comfort is excellent, and prolonged use reveals its reliability with few flaws.
