BMW Plotting Off-Road Versions Of SUVs, But Must Avoid X3’s Past Mistakes

The ultimate off-roading machine could be coming our way

From The Ultimate Driving Machine to Sheer Driving Pleasure, BMW’s iconic slogans have always been about the joy you can extract from its cars behind the wheel. And, although the company now produces many cars that major on luxury and tech more than class-leading driving dynamics, it’s still considered a driver-focused brand in the minds of many.

But BMW is pursuing a different avenue, and this one will seemingly replace twisty canyon roads with mud-covered trails. We already know the company is planning a G-Class rival to replace the XM, but a new report suggests BMW is considering an entire lineup of off-road-focused SUVs. It won’t be the first time BMW markets a more rugged SUV, but the manufacturer needs to do a better job this time around.

An X1 Or X7 That Can Actually Go Off-Road?

According to BMW Blog, the company sees potential in the adventure crossover segment. It’s exploring whether off-road versions of its core SUV range—the X1, X3, X5, and X7—are worth engineering.

These vehicles could either be standalone models or off-road packages, but they’ll presumably be equipped with more rugged styling features and possibly even enhanced hardware for better rough-road capability. 

BMW has already experimented with this, such as the Silver Anniversary Edition of the X5, which has an xOffroad Package. This pack includes various off-road driving modes (xSand, xRocks, xGravel, and xSnow), a rear locking differential, and a two-axle air suspension that can be adjusted for a more practical ride height. We see no reason that such a package can’t be optimized for the brand’s other SUVs.

Many non-luxury brands have created rugged versions of popular SUVs, including Hyundai with its Ioniq 5 XRT, Honda with its Passport TrailSport, and Subaru with its Forester Wilderness. These have been popular, so it doesn’t seem crazy that BMW is considering something similar.

BMW Can Learn From Original X3’s Mistakes

Back in the 2000s, BMW tried to position the first X3 as a more rugged, smaller alternative to the X5, but its inexperience in this area was obvious. That first-generation X3 featured plenty of black plastic cladding around the body and the xDrive AWD system with fully variable torque distribution, suggesting it could conquer some lightly challenging trails.

In reality, the X3’s relatively low ride height and lack of underbody protection prevented it from getting much further than a 3 Series wagon with AWD. Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson infamously got stuck when trying to get the original X3 through a reasonably simple off-road course. Even worse, the first X3 didn’t ride as comfortably as other BMWs, including the E53 X5, so it wasn’t that impressive as a luxury crossover, either.

It’s been over 20 years since that first X3 arrived, though, and we expect that if BMW explores the off-road route for its modern SUV range, it will do a much more thorough job this time around.