New BMW X3 (2025) U.S. lineup misses out on Plug-in Hybrid

The 2025 BMW X3 Hybrid featuring an all-new design, a raft of new advanced features, and major performance and efficiency improvements is finally here. The revamped mid-size SUV includes a plug-in hybrid variant – 30e xDrive, but unfortunately the U.S. is not among the markets where it is available.

Here’s everything we know about the new BMW X3 so far. Note that the pictures in this story are of the plug-in hybrid model, but we’ve also discussed the specifications and important features of the U.S. X3 line-up.

New nomenclature

The BMW X3 will no longer have the ‘i’ in the variant nomenclature. BMW is reserving the ‘i’ designation for all-electric models to minimize confusion. The 2025 BMW X3 Hybrid range consists of 20 xDrive, 30 xDrive, 20d xDrive, M50 xDrive, and 30e xDrive variants. The first four are mild-hybrid variants, while 30e xDrive is a plug-in hybrid. The 30 xDrive and M50 xDrive mild-hybrid variants have been confirmed for the U.S.

Design

The 2025 BMW X3 Hybrid features an evolutionary design. It has sleeker, swept-back headlamps integrating L-shaped, overlapping DRLs and a taller kidney grille featuring vertically and diagonally arranged bars. The hood, lower air intake grille, side air inlets, and bumper have also been redesigned.

The 2025 BMW X3 Hybrid has a softer character from the sides due to its sleeker greenhouse and roofline. The hood looks less curvy from this angle, giving the vehicle a more confident look. In contrast, the side air deflectors bordering the flush-mounted back glass make the redesign appear more upright from the rear.

The 30e xDrive variant has a separate flap on the front left side wall that secures a Combined Charging Unit (CCU) socket for the traction battery pack.

The 2025 BMW X3 Hybrid features completely new combination lamps that create an inverted T-shaped motif. The rear-end is smoother, and the clean, concave surface below the taillights amplifies its elegant look. The license plate lies at the bottom, not in the centre like in the outgoing X3.

Interior & Features

The interior of the 2025 BMW X3 Hybrid has a cleaner and more elegant design. The dashboard looks visibly taller but is smoother and cleaner, thanks to significantly reduced buttons and switches, hidden air vents, and the BMW Curved Display, a seamless integration of a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen on a freestanding panel.

A two-spoke polygonal steering wheel is standard in the 2025 BMW X3 Hybrid. A familiar three-spoke steering wheel is available in select variants, but not in 30e xDrive. BMW Interaction Bar, a glass-look light and function panel to adjust the climate control system and switch on the hazard warning lights, sits below the 14.9-inch display.

Specifications

Dimensions

The fourth-generation BMW X3 Hybrid is bigger than the third-gen model, which should give it more road presence. Measuring 187.2 in. in length, 75.6 in. in width, and 65.4 in. in height, it is 1.3 in. longer, 1.1 in. wider, and 1 in. lower. The wheelbase, at 112.8 in., is no different from the previous model.

Platform & Body

The 2025 BMW X3 Hybrid is based on an improved version of the current CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform. The body-in-white is lighter but more rigid. These improvements, along with a wider rear track, should lead to higher cornering stability and reduced energy and fuel consumption.

BMW has also paid some attention to the sustainability aspect. The company uses 70% secondary aluminum in the alloy wheels. Additionally, the aluminum in the hood and high-voltage battery housing is recycled.

Mild Hybrid

The 20 xDrive, 20d xDrive, and 30 xDrive variants of the 2025 BMW X3 Hybrid feature a 2.0-liter engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, which works with an all-wheel drive system to distribute power between the front and rear axles appropriately. The M50 xDrive mild-hybrid variant has a bigger 3.0-liter engine.

All three mild-hybrid variants employ an electric motor integrated into the transmission and a 48-volt battery pack located under the luggage compartment. The energy recovered during deceleration and braking charges the battery pack and the electric motor uses that energy to give the engine a boost when needed and also to power the vehicle’s 12-volt electrical system.

The electric motor generates 13 kW and 200 Nm of torque in 20 xDrive and M50 xDrive variants and 8 kW and 25 Nm of torque in the 20d xDrive variant. The power and torque figures of the 30 xDrive variant’s electric motor haven’t been disclosed. As for the engine outputs and performance figures, take a look at the table below:

BMW has said that it will introduce a six-cylinder diesel engine variant, which we expect to be the rumored ‘M40d,’ in summer 2025. Like the M50 gas engine, the diesel mill should have a 3.0-liter displacement and feature 48-volt mild-hybrid technology.

Plug-in Hybrid

Engine & Motor

The 2025 BMW X3 30e xDrive combines a 2.0-liter gas engine with a higher-output electric motor housed in an 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 220 kW (295 hp) and 450 Nm (332 lb.-ft.) of torque, while the motor develops 135 kW (181 hp) and 250 Nm (184 lb.-ft.) of torque.

Battery & Range

A 19.7 kWh battery pack located under the rear seat supplies energy to the motor and allows the 2025 BMW X3 30e xDrive to travel up to 90 km or 56 miles (WLTP – Germany) with the engine shut off. The plug-in hybrid SUV hits 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in just 6.2 seconds and achieves a top speed of 215 km/h (136 mph), or 140 km/h (87 mph) if you’re driving it in EV-only mode.

Charging

Customers can charge the 19.7 kWh battery pack through both single-phase and three-phase AC chargers, at up to 11 kW. The peak charging input is nearly three times the rate of the previous model. Charging from empty status to 100% level takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. Unfortunately, DC charging capability is unavailable, which is disappointing considering plug-in hybrid models from mainstream brands like Mitsubishi and Volkswagen already offer that, not to forget the high sticker price.

Cargo

The 2025 BMW X3 plug-in hybrid compromises in the space aspect. It offers 460 liters (16.2 cu. ft.) of cargo space, 10 liters (0.4 cu. ft.) more than the previous plug-in hybrid SUV but 110 litres (3.9 cu. ft.) less than the 2025 BMW X3 mild-hybrid. Folding down the rear-seat backrest gives a total luggage space of 1,600 liters (56.5 cu. ft.), marking an improvement of 100 liters (3.5 cu. ft.) over the predecessor. However, compared to the latest mild-hybrid SUV, that’s a 100-litre (3.5-cu. ft.) lower figure.

On the next-gen BMW iX3 (Electric)

The new all-electric version of the X3 (2025 BMW iX3) will be an entirely different vehicle, riding on the Neue Klasse platform that is designed to underpin EVs. Official teaser images of the first Neue Klasse car show the camouflaged SUV with different proportions compared to the thermal-engined X3.

Price & Release Date

The 2025 BMW X3 30e xDrive retails at EUR 66,000 (USD 73,110) in Germany. In the U.S., the 2025 BMW X3 xDrive30 and 2025 BMW X3 M50 xDrive’s prices start at USD 49,500 and USD 64,100, respectively, both excluding USD 1,175 destination and handling fees. U.S.-spec versions are expected to arrive at dealerships between October and December 2024

BMW used to offer the X3 as a PHEV in the U.S. in the previous generation but the company discontinued it at the end of the 2021 model year. Considering PHEVs’ growing popularity in the U.S. and their practicality as an alternative to EVs, especially with the expected superb EV mode range, the absence of the X3 plug-in hybrid variant is strange. Perhaps, BMW plans to release it in the U.S. at a later stage, after production normalizes and it can ensure it has enough supply for high-priority markets in Europe.

Production

BMW has confirmed that it will manufacture the all-new X3 PHEV for global export in Rosslyn, South Africa. BMW began manufacturing the X3 at this plant, its first foreign facility, starting with the third generation in April 2018. On its South African website, BMW says it exports more than 90% of the X3s produced, predominantly to Europe.

With the plug-in hybrid variant not planned for the U.S., all the 2025 X3 mild-hybrid units sold in the U.S. would come from the local plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The U.S. is one of the biggest markets for the X3. In 2023, BMW sold 63,172 X3s in the U.S., and although that marked a 4% decline from 2022 (65,799 units), it was still a substantial volume. The mid-size SUV was the second-highest-selling BMW in our market in 2023. With the latest redesign, it may surpass the record-breaking 2021 figure of nearly 76,000 units at some point during its lifecycle.

TopElectricSUV says

The all-new BMW X3 Hybrid is a refined and cleaner luxury mid-size SUV with an evolutionary design, premium features, improved standard equipment, and enhanced engines. An important upgrade in the redesign is the significantly better plug-in hybrid technology that makes it usable as an EV ever for longer everyday trips. It’s a shame we don’t get it in the U.S., but maybe we will, eventually!

Featured Image Source: BMW

I got my Master’s in Business Management & Administration and have been an International Automotive News Editor since 2014. I’ve traveled to global motor shows and automotive events, driven various types of vehicles, and focused on hybrid and electric cars in the last 4 years.