What do current BMW owners think about the rear of the new X3?

BavarianPretzel · 11-29-2025, 02:06 PM

What do current BMW owners think about the rear of the new X3?

I have been paying a lot of attention whenever I happen to be following a new X3. The reason is that I have bee seriously considering trading my X1 for the new X1.

However, I can’t seem to stomach how unattractive the rear of the new X3 looks…. Is it just me? I just followed another one as I was coming home half an hour ago. It was white and the rear looked like a Chevrolet to me)not in a good way)

paimon.soror · 11-29-2025, 07:26 PM

I hate it.

MJBO · 11-29-2025, 08:08 PM

They’re just too fat in the rear, same as new M5 sedan/touring. Too much visual weight in the bottom. No exhaust tips on ICE models is a fail too.

Toad · 11-29-2025, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJBO

No exhaust tips on ICE models is a fail too.

You forgot to check out the M50

It got quad pipes yo!

Rob_G77 · 11-29-2025, 11:12 PM

The problem is with the interior.....

wrh3 · 11-30-2025, 02:28 AM

Not a fan, Maybe the same design team who penned the front beaver grills for other models and thought that was better than classic? (No offense if you own a beaver)

ComingInHot · 11-30-2025, 06:15 AM

What, you don’t like the weird buck tooth smile that it forms when you put the back plate on in the mouth opening?

Sorry if you can’t unsee it now.

Welcome to my world.

slilley · 11-30-2025, 07:25 AM

I hate it too! I assume BMW bumped the rear out to get a little more cargo capacity behind the back seats, but it's f-ugly imho. Luckily, you can't see the rear of the car when driving. We rented one for 2 weeks in Italy, and it was great. The interior tech is a bit maddening, but you (mostly) get used to it.

Janjohn · 11-30-2025, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toad

You forgot to check out the M50

It got quad pipes yo!

I completely forget about the different look of the X3’s rear when I step on the gas in the M50. The handling on the X3M50 is pretty sensational.

MisanoblueZ4 · 11-30-2025, 08:05 AM

The cost cutting is very apparent in and out on the new X3. BMW drivetrains are still a highlight.

tracer bullet · 11-30-2025, 08:16 AM

The rear is OK, it's more the front, and the huge iDrive8 screen I don't like. I've owned an F25 for a decade, and may move to a G01, but that'll be the end of it it seems. The current design path may have me looking at a Mazda instead.

jkoral · 11-30-2025, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_G77

The problem is with the interior.....

This 100%, interior is a big downgrade from G01 X3 (even ignoring some weird things, like moving front vents to doors).

I could live with exterior styling, it's not what bothered me. Had a 2022 G01 X3, did not upgrade (went in a different direction).

Emily172013 · 11-30-2025, 08:42 AM

Looks fine to me, much like any other SUV. I consider them all utility vehicles to haul kids and groceries, non of them are anything of beauty.

tracer bullet · 11-30-2025, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emily172013

I consider them all utility vehicles to haul kids and groceries, non of them are anything of beauty.

Yeah, but - if it doesn't make you at least occasionally look back at it when you walk away, seems like a RAV4 would do the same job.

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, opinions are just that, and mine's no more worthy. But when BMW stops doing the things I like, there's little reason to stick with them and pay half again for what is identical elsewhere.

BeEmVe · 11-30-2025, 11:13 PM

Squatty butt backend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComingInHot

What, you don’t like the weird buck tooth smile that it forms when you put the back plate on in the mouth opening?

Sorry if you can’t unsee it now.

Welcome to my world.

Yeah, can't unsee that now. I guess they needed to get that buck toothed in backend given the front end does not have it.

swainbmw · 11-30-2025, 11:32 PM

I find it looks too low and resembles a hatchback.. for some reason, it looks more like a station wagon

2heeldrive · 12-01-2025, 12:03 AM

I love the way it drives; it is much improved over the previous generation.

I thought the styling might grow on me... I'm still waiting.

Mason Hatcher · 12-01-2025, 07:37 AM

These forums are funny. “Oh no, how dare BMW change the looks of a model.”

afadeev · 12-01-2025, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BavarianPretzel

What do current BMW owners think about the rear of the new X3?

I have been paying a lot of attention whenever I happen to be following a new X3. The reason is that I have bee seriously considering trading my X1 for the new X1.

Not a fan.

OTOH, it appears that BMW is going through a "see if it sticks" design philosophy.
Sheetmetal shapes are bland, while exterior highlights (grill, chrome bling) are randomly large and flashy.
Neon elongated kidney grills are a good example of that - tacky and damage prone, but supposedly popular in China.

a

BavarianPretzel · 12-01-2025, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afadeev

Not a fan.

OTOH, it appears that BMW is going through a "see if it sticks" design philosophy.
Sheetmetal shapes are bland, while exterior highlights (grill, chrome bling) are randomly large and flashy. Neon elongated kidney grills, for example - tacky and damage prone, but supposedly popular in China.

a

At it’s not as awful as the designs of current Mercedes cars and SUVs…. Probably also had to cater to the tastes of Chinese consumers…

afadeev · 12-01-2025, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BavarianPretzel

At it’s not as awful as the designs of current Mercedes cars and SUVs…. Probably also had to cater to the tastes of Chinese consumers…

Perhaps, though I will take GLA/CLA over X1/X3 any time, any day:

YMMV,
a

ShocknAwe · 12-01-2025, 02:13 PM

I like my e70 X5D with Aero LCI kit.

Hard pass on how that X3 looks. Never been a big fan of the X3 in general. I'd have a 5er instead.

11-29-2025, 02:06 PM	#1
BavarianPretzel Frischling 286 Rep 150 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2025 Location: Springfield iTrader: (0)	What do current BMW owners think about the rear of the new X3? What do current BMW owners think about the rear of the new X3? I have been paying a lot of attention whenever I happen to be following a new X3. The reason is that I have bee seriously considering trading my X1 for the new X1. However, I can’t seem to stomach how unattractive the rear of the new X3 looks…. Is it just me? I just followed another one as I was coming home half an hour ago. It was white and the rear looked like a Chevrolet to me)not in a good way) Attached Images
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11-29-2025, 07:26 PM	#2
paimon.soror Major 768 Rep 1,075 Posts Drives: 2024 X6 MSport Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Hartford, CT iTrader: (3) Garage List 2024 BMW X6 [0.00]	I hate it.
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11-29-2025, 08:08 PM	#3
MJBO Colonel 6195 Rep 2,513 Posts Drives: a lot. Join Date: May 2012 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 25 GWM Cannon Alpha ... [0.00] 26 BMW M3 CS Touring [10.00] 26 BMW X5 M60i [0.00]	They’re just too fat in the rear, same as new M5 sedan/touring. Too much visual weight in the bottom. No exhaust tips on ICE models is a fail too.
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11-29-2025, 11:12 PM	#5
Rob_G77 Lieutenant Colonel 1540 Rep 1,695 Posts Drives: Nothing Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Regina, SK iTrader: (0)	The problem is with the interior.....
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11-30-2025, 02:28 AM	#6
wrh3 Car Guy 57 Rep 810 Posts Drives: BMW M2, Alfa Romeo 4C, Jaguar Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ATL, GA iTrader: (10)	Not a fan, Maybe the same design team who penned the front beaver grills for other models and thought that was better than classic? (No offense if you own a beaver) __________________ Bill- 2024 M2 www.billswebspace.com/bmwindex BMW CCA Member # 389948
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11-30-2025, 06:15 AM	#7
ComingInHot Newish 493 Rep 632 Posts Drives: BMWs Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	What, you don’t like the weird buck tooth smile that it forms when you put the back plate on in the mouth opening? Sorry if you can’t unsee it now. Welcome to my world. Last edited by ComingInHot; 11-30-2025 at 06:17 AM..
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11-30-2025, 07:25 AM	#8
slilley Second Lieutenant 269 Rep 228 Posts Drives: 2023 X5, plus others Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Reading PA iTrader: (0)	I hate it too! I assume BMW bumped the rear out to get a little more cargo capacity behind the back seats, but it's f-ugly imho. Luckily, you can't see the rear of the car when driving. We rented one for 2 weeks in Italy, and it was great. The interior tech is a bit maddening, but you (mostly) get used to it.
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11-30-2025, 08:05 AM	#10
MisanoblueZ4 Lieutenant Colonel 5356 Rep 2,132 Posts Drives: 2021 Z4 M40I Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: South Carolina iTrader: (0)	The cost cutting is very apparent in and out on the new X3. BMW drivetrains are still a highlight.
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11-30-2025, 08:16 AM	#11
tracer bullet Major General 6189 Rep 6,188 Posts Drives: '25 Z4, '15 X3 35i (135i sold) Join Date: May 2011 Location: Saint Paul, MN iTrader: (1)	The rear is OK, it's more the front, and the huge iDrive8 screen I don't like. I've owned an F25 for a decade, and may move to a G01, but that'll be the end of it it seems. The current design path may have me looking at a Mazda instead.
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11-30-2025, 08:42 AM	#13
Emily172013 Lieutenant 610 Rep 455 Posts Drives: BMW M340i BMW Z4 30i Audi Q3 Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (0)	Looks fine to me, much like any other SUV. I consider them all utility vehicles to haul kids and groceries, non of them are anything of beauty.
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11-30-2025, 11:32 PM	#16
swainbmw Major 918 Rep 1,743 Posts Drives: 2022 x5 40! Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: wv iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 Toyota 4Runne ... [6.50] 2022 bmw x5 vermil ... [10.00]	I find it looks too low and resembles a hatchback.. for some reason, it looks more like a station wagon Last edited by swainbmw; 11-30-2025 at 11:33 PM..
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12-01-2025, 12:03 AM	#17
2heeldrive Private First Class 187 Rep 131 Posts Drives: 2023 X5 4.0, 2022 330ix Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Kansas iTrader: (0)	I love the way it drives; it is much improved over the previous generation. I thought the styling might grow on me... I'm still waiting.
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12-01-2025, 07:37 AM	#18
Mason Hatcher Captain 1440 Rep 828 Posts Drives: BMW X3 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: FW-TX iTrader: (0)	These forums are funny. “Oh no, how dare BMW change the looks of a model.”
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12-01-2025, 02:13 PM	#22
ShocknAwe 1Addict 5380 Rep 9,253 Posts Drives: N54 E82, M57 E70, 964 C4 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	I like my e70 X5D with Aero LCI kit. Hard pass on how that X3 looks. Never been a big fan of the X3 in general. I'd have a 5er instead. __________________ 2010 E82 1 Series M Clone Hydra Performance augmented OEM+
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