X3 the best option?

[Dan96]

Have a baby due in 2 months so am looking to get a mid-sized SUV (no I do not want an estate, as I am tall and value my back). I like my cars so want something fairly premium and with decent power, budget up to £30k for something 5-6 years old max.

Have had a bit of a look around and the X3 30d seems to tick the boxes, and reviews claim it's the best in class - any thoughts on this and if I'm missing something? Are the 40d/i worth stretching to? Any must-have options?

Others I've considered, as the X3 is quite a bit more expensive than rivals I've found:

XC60 - boot space is a bit lacking and supposedly isn't great to drive.

Q5 - These just feel bland to me. Used to own an S4 so interior would feel very samey.

GLC - perception is that Mercedes have declined in quality? Also find the C series interiors utter gash.

Macan - Too small for a bulky car seat from what I can see?

Anything JLR - All the chat about reliability scares me off.

[Mouse Rat]

If you're looking at that range of car I would go F Pace or Alfa Stelvio rather than Volvo or German stuff.

[Rayny]

My personal choice would be the X3.
The intelligent choice would be a Lexus RX or a Toyota Rav4

[loskie]

I (single bloke and dog) had Q5 . It was lovely. BUT not that spacious. A bit like a reverse tardis

[joshcowin]

loskie said:

I (single bloke and dog) had Q5 . It was lovely. BUT not that spacious. A bit like a reverse tardis

I don't get this comment, I've seen it a few places so I am certainly not singling you out or really arguing with you tbh, but I have a Q5 and often have 5 people in it no problems or complaints. Quite often have 4 with the dog in the boot or luggage. Had 2 car seats and a booster seat in the back the other day also.

What makes you say you find it small I side? Compared to an a6 estate I drive often it's fairly similar.

[loskie]

It always seemed bigger on the outside than the inside suggested,

Boot not that big.

No much different (if any) from my Golf estate

[M.F.D]

You are right to be scared of JLR, if you like a dependable car, give anything from them a wide berth.

X3/X5 would be my choice for sure.

[Chris Hinds]

Had a 2019 X3 M40i and now have a 2024 X3 M40d MHEV. I don’t regret either choice, I came from a 330d into the M40i and was seeking a different type of car. The M40i is definitely the sportier option and yet as long as you didn’t fool about, it could be very economical too (I could hit 40 on a run, but long term av was 28).

Personally I think to 40i/d would be where I would go but equally I’d take a 30d over the boot space humped and much heavier 30e. I would then pick i or d based on use profile. Overall I feel d suits the car a bit more (it’s much more relaxing) but if you don’t have a weekend toy or live in a city, i all the way