The sleek Porsche Macan
, minimalist Volvo XC60
, and the sporty Jaguar F-Pace
are just three of the eight top competitors of the BMW X3. The BMW X3 is one of the best compact SUVs on the road—but the right SUV for you will ultimately depend on what you’re looking for. While the X3 boasts smooth handling and good fuel efficiency, its aging interior design and awkward stop/start feature leave something to be desired.
A great first step in the search for your next SUV is to take a comprehensive look at the competition. Jerry
, the trusted comparison app that saves drivers time and money on car insurance
, has collected all the key specs on the best alternatives to the BMW X3. And whether you're looking to trim down insurance costs for a BMW X3
or another vehicle, Jerry can help with that, too! 1. Porsche Macan
Starting price: $56,250 to $81,250
Selling points: Strong powertrain, athletic styling, and impressive handling
Weak spot: Limited cargo space and a tight back seat
This high-class SUV delivers everywhere from the racetrack to picking up the kids from soccer. Not only will you be riding in style, but the Porsche Macan is a powerful SUV. All three trim levels come with impressive engine options, particularly the GTS model’s twin-turbo V6 engine generating up to 434 horsepower.
While every model comes standard with all-wheel drive, there are plenty of options to elevate your Macan’s handling. A few noteworthy options include adaptive suspension, tungsten-carbide-coated rotors, summer tires, and torque-vectoring differential. With a 10/10 ranking from Car and Driver, the Porsche Macan is a top choice in its class.
2. Mercedes-AMG GLC-Class
Starting price: $60,950 to $82,000
Selling points: Luxury cabin, athletic handling, and great high-performance engine options
Weak spot: Loud when cruising and can be a bumpy ride on imperfect roadways
With an almost perfect score of 9.5/10 from Car and Driver, the Mercedes-AMG GLC-Class
is a top choice among sporty SUVs. With three powerful engine options, GLCs make anywhere from 385 to 503 horsepower. One of the fastest vehicles in its class, the GLC63 can go from zero to 60 mph in only 3.6 seconds — that’s faster than its Porsche and Audi rivals! If that weren’t enough, this sporty SUV boasts a luxury cabin with infotainment and comfort features that are both modern and stylish. With a high-tech floating touchscreen and ample leg room, you’ll be riding in comfort and class in no time.
3. Genesis GV70
Starting price: $42,595 to $63,545
Selling points: High-class cabin design, athletic chassis, and robust engines
Weak spot: Tight back seats and a low towing capacity
Genesis
hit the nail on the head with their first attempt at a compact luxury SUV. The 2022 Genesis GV70 was inspired by the G70 sports sedan, featuring a comparable driving experience with extra cargo space and a higher seating position. With a wide variety of trim levels to choose from, each model comes with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The two engine options include a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6.
Like many Genesis vehicles, even the base trim boasts impressive luxury features. The Genesis GV70 is a top contender amongst compact SUVs, earning a 9/10 rating from Car and Driver.
4. Volvo XC60
Starting price: $43,745 to $70,595
Selling points: Stylish, good standard driver-assistant technology, and impressive fuel efficiency
Weak spot: Infotainment isn’t intuitive and the hybrid powertrain needs refining
If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient compact SUV with a hybrid option, the 2022 Volvo XC60 might be the car for you! This top-seller for Volvo
is a classic Swedish design — stylish and thoughtful. You'll be riding in style with its clean lines complemented by tasteful embellishments. When it comes to engines, the Volvo XC60 comes with three strong options, including a hybrid. For eco-conscious buyers, this car also has the best fuel economy out of our eight competitors, at 26/23/30 mpg. While its cargo space is smaller than the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5, it’s still large enough to be practical. To top things off, the XC60 comes with a host of infotainment and driver-assistance features.
5. Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Selling points: Great look, drive, and sound
Weak spot: Lacking back seat and cargo space, questionable reliability
This Italian beauty is a compelling choice among SUVs. With a V6 engine that boasts 505 horsepower and sporty drive-mode settings, you’ll be flying from zero to 60 in an impressive 3.3 seconds. An eight-speed automatic transmission powers all four wheels of the Alfa Romeo
Stelvio QF. With its leather interior and 14-way power-adjustable front seats, drivers sit supported nice and close to the road. The QF’s ambient lighting and heated steering wheel and front seat allow for a luxurious cabin experience. Unfortunately, the back seat and cargo area are on the small side, but you can still fit plenty of luggage with the seats folded down.
This beautiful Italian vehicle lands another impressive 9/10 from Car and Driver.
6. Audi Q5
Starting price: $44,495 to $65,145
Selling points: Ample trim options, high-tech cabin, and beautiful styling
Weak spot: Limited storage, less engaging drive, and basic warranty
While some of our other options may provide a more engaging drive, the 2022 Audi
Q5 still brings style and plenty of high-end features to the table. It’s also one of the few SUVs on our list to offer a plug-in hybrid and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine option. These two engines generate 362 and 261 horsepower, respectively. Tech-lovers will enjoy everything from the Q5’s touchscreen infotainment system to its digital gauge display. While the Audi Q5
is set up more for everyday comfort than performance, it still received a respectable 8/10 ranking from Car and Driver. 7. Acura RDX
Starting price: $40,345 to $55,295
Selling points: Affordable, plenty of standard features, and athletic handling
Weak spot: Some awkwardness with the transmission
While the Acura
RDX may not be the most luxurious of our options, it is both the most spacious and affordable. It doesn’t skimp on power either, with a spunky turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 272 horsepower. Its 10-speed automatic transmission, however, can be slow to downshift, leading to frustration for many drivers. While the cabin isn’t as deluxe as the competition, it is well-built with many desirable standard features, including power-adjustable, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and ambient lighting. All in all, the Acura RDX
is practical, spacious, fun, and a well-equipped compact SUV. 8. Jaguar F-Pace
Starting price: $52,050 to $66,650
Selling points: Incredible SUV handling, spacious cargo bay, and refined engines
Weak spot: Imperfect infotainment system and a stiff ride on larger wheels
The Jaguar F-Pace is both practical and fun to drive. Inspired by the F-Type sports car, the F-Pace holds its own alongside the Audi, Mercedes, and BMW compact SUVs. With three powerful engines ranging from 246 hp up to 395 hp, the F-Pace makes a respectable zero to 60 speed of 5.5 seconds.
The interior boasts a luxurious — but minimalist — cabin designed with fine materials, a high-tech infotainment system, and many useful driver-assistance features. Unfortunately, Jaguar’s infotainment system is liable to malfunction, but improvements can be easily made as the technology is updated. The F-Pace shines above the competition in its impressive towing capacity of 5,291 lbs.
BMW X3 vs. the competition
Now that we’ve taken a comprehensive look at the competition let's look at the key specs side-by-side.
| | | | | | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined) |
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| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | 2.0L Turbocharged MHEV I4 | | | | |
| | 2.9L Twin Turbo PDI w/ESS V6 | | | | |
| | 2.0L Turbo TFSI 4-cylinder | | | | |
| | 2.0L 16-Valve DOHC VTEC Turbo | | | | |
| | | | | | |
How to compare car insurance quotes in under a minute
Now that you’ve had a chance to consider all the options for your next compact SUV, it’s time to talk car insurance
. One of the easiest ways to protect your investment—and save money at the same time—is by downloading the Jerry
app. In under 45 seconds, Jerry will compare rates from up to 55+ top insurance companies and find the policies that fit you and your new SUV best. The Jerry app makes it easier than ever to find the best deal on insurance costs for a BMW
or any other vehicle. Before you know it, you’ll be joining millions of Jerry users in average annual car insurance savings of over $800! “I thought my previous insurance rate was the best I could get, since I have a luxury SUV. After Jerry
found me quotes, I ended up paying only $80 a month for the same exact coverage. I’ll be shopping for auto insurance through Jerry from now on!” —Petra S.
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