BMW car subscription X3 20d xDrive M Sport

The X3 20d xDrive is the all-rounder family SUV in our fleet. It is the current X3 generation with a 2.0-litre diesel mild hybrid, 197 hp, automatic gearbox and xDrive all-wheel drive. It is big enough for a family of four with luggage, but still fits into normal German parking spaces and garages.

It suits families who drive long distances in every season. The diesel gives a long range for trips to Ramstein, to the Alps or to visit friends at other bases, and all-wheel drive with the seasonal tyres we fit makes early winter mornings on country roads around Grafenwoehr and Vilseck less stressful. You sit high, the rear bench has room for two child seats, and the tailgate opens to a wide, square boot.

The X3 20d is the car for families who want to stop thinking about the car. Two child seats in the back, a stroller and a week of luggage in the boot, a drive from Vilseck to Ramstein on a Friday afternoon, the trip home in snow: it handles all of that without fuss. It also works for couples with a big dog, or for a move with a small trailer if the concrete car has a hitch, which you request at booking and we confirm by email. On post it is still easy to park, because it is a midsize SUV, not a full-size American one.

If you want the same car with more power, the X3 40d xDrive has a six-cylinder diesel and sits in our top price class. If you do not need all-wheel drive or the size, the BMW X1 costs less. For a similar size and all-wheel drive from Mercedes, compare with the GLC 220 d 4MATIC at the same price. Between those, pick the one whose interior you like better: the technical package is very close.