What happens when you mix sporty character with off-roading capabilities and throw in a good amount of luxury? Well, you get the BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro package. Luxury and capability are soon becoming the new muse for many car buyers in India, and while Stuttgart is churning out luxury wagons one after the other, how could Munich stay behind? After all, India is a democracy, and the Germans have every right to entice us with their scintillating offerings. Hence, the first BMW-branded launch of 2026 is the X3 with the sportier M Sport Pro package. My brain had a ball recalling memories from the BMW Drive Experience, and here are my fingers doing all the talking.
Finally, the first BMW launch of 2026 was a classy affair. The entire BMW product portfolio was on display, but I was there for the X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro, an SUV that promises a lot on paper. However, it doesn’t look any different from the existing X3, which was launched at the Bharat Mobility Show in 2025. The same design, chassis, suspension and luxury continue to be present in the X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro. But this one has a special trick up its sleeve, or shall I say, under the bonnet. Lurking underneath the hood is a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine that spins up its magic and brings 258 horses to life along with a turning force of 400Nm, which makes it the most powerful X3 in the lineup. Plus, it comes with xDrive, BMW’s own all-wheel-drive system. This beast of an engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with six drive modes and design elements straight from the M Sport division.
I like how subtly the M Sport Pro package has been integrated into the X3. Changes include a blacked-out headlamp housing with adaptive LED lighting and cornering lights, alongside a new blacked-out grille that ditches the chrome and welcomes a thin strip of light that illuminates the rim of the Kidney Grille. Not just that, this new X3 also comes with 20-inch M Light alloy wheels that give you a glimpse of the new M Sport callipers and bigger brake rotors. Oh, and there is the new Brooklyn Grey Metallic shade as well, which exclaims German for sporty character. There are changes on the inside too, with new front seats with ventilation and an illuminated rim on the centre console, which BMW calls the Jewellery box. It also offers the largest panoramic sunroof in the segment, tri-zone climate control, a 15-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a curved, touch-operated display angled toward the driver, a heads-up display, and augmented reality navigation. So, in terms of new features, the X3 30 is loaded to the brim after all; this is the new top-end variant in the X3 lineup.
Now coming to the juiciest bit, that 1,998cc, in-line four-cylinder turbocharged engine. It is a sweet unit with enough firepower that you can go from 0-100kmph in just 6.3 seconds and comfortably sit at 215kmph (limited) top speed in no time. I did give it the beans and saw the speedo climb quickly to 100kmph and it continued its upward streak with gusto. But aside from the brisk acceleration and linear power delivery, this new engine feels quite refined even with the throttle nailed to the floor. And the resulting exhaust note is soothing to say the least. At slower speeds, the X3 30’s powerplant remained calm, but I did notice some sluggishness from the eight-speed gearbox, which took a few seconds to slot into a lower gear as I worked my right foot for an overtake. But once it’s in a lower gear, the engine delivers all 258 horses almost instantly. Plus, the 400Nm helps the engine cruise at triple-digit speeds with little to no stress.
Overall, the most powerful X3 is now available in India, offering a host of features that make it a value-for-money option. Be it the M Sport Pro package exterior or the interior, the X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro is not just a capable tarmac performer, but it can handle off-road too. Take a look at our Instagram, where the X3 tackles an off-road course without breaking a sweat. In the end, BMW has a capable on- and off-road SUV that impresses across the board. So, if you are looking to buy a luxury SUV with the right set of compromises, the BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro should feature on your list of contenders.
