Test drive BMW X3 against Land Rover Discovery Sport and Volvo XC60
Comparative test of elite mid-range diesel SUVs.
We continue our journey through the world of SUV models. This time, we are talking about three sophisticated SUVs that, even within their brands, are troubling mid-range sedans and station wagons such as the Troika, S and V60 or XE and XF. And yes, they have diesel engines.
So, diesels, mmm ... Is it worth testing them at all when the number of newly registered cars is in free fall? In the case of these three SUV models, we say yes, because they are certified according to the latest Euro 6d-Temp exhaust gas standard. This means the endless joy of high torque, affordable fuel bills, and the luxury of safety and comfort that the elite middle class has offered in recent years. Let's see if this is really so.
Only safety and comfort? Here, the X3 with a slightly flashy color of the M Sport package (3300 euros) probably has something to add. And from the first meters he shows us what he means. The 3-litre six-cylinder unit is dark and warm, has no idea what vibration is and, when needed, delivers unbridled power that simply ignores steep slopes and dominates the driving experience. No matter at what speed and to what extent the superbly shifting eight-speed automatic - as soon as the driver expresses a desire for more speed, the XXNUMX provides it immediately and with touching desire.
As you might expect, the chassis – in the case of the test car equipped with €600 adaptive dampers – enters the show without objection. The steering system slavishly executes any desired change of direction, which is a pleasure not only when driving fast in corners, but everywhere and always. This car understands its driver and enthusiastically plays his game – if necessary, even in the borderline traction zone, where the almost two-ton SUV model doesn’t rock and roll back and forth, but just does what it’s supposed to.
BMW demonstrates comfort
Sure, you don't go crazy every day, but it's good to know that you can do this without losing the opportunity for a big vacation for four. The rear seats are very well shaped and suitable for long journeys, as are the front sports seats; The flexibly variable luggage compartment under the standard electric tailgate absorbs at least 550 liters thanks to the three self-folding rear backrest segments, and in Comfort mode the BMW model delivers a smooth ride unmatched in this test.
The driver is well-integrated, looks at devices with sharp graphics, and only notes with some difficulty that, given the abundance of functions, an improved menu update will have a good effect on the iDrive system. Otherwise - low internal noise, low consumption (thanks to 620 Newton meters, it often moves with a little gas), high quality workmanship, a wide range of driver assistance systems and connections. Don't we have criticisms? On the contrary, the price is high, and the trailer load (two tons) is relatively insufficient.
Land Rover prefers to treat him more calmly
In this regard, the Discovery Sport is of a different caliber. It has a towbar that can attach 2,5 tons, and although it is the shortest car in the test, with the help of the third row of rear seats it can be converted into a seven-seat version.
In design, the Disco is quite practical, and in the HSE version it is equipped with feudal extravagance - and as a restaurant highlight, of course with SUV qualities, the result of different driving modes for all types of terrain and a large suspension travel. . The latter, unfortunately, does not contribute to comfortable driving. Instead, the Land Rover falls clumsily through holes and cross holes as if there were solid bridges underneath. What about manageability? Well, average work.
The car reacts to a quick change of direction with a strong sway comment, where the indirect, slightly lazy steering system makes it clear that rushing is always something excessive and out of place. Smooth sailing on the road is much more at the heart of the tall Disco, which in the second row pleases with more space and offers significantly more luggage than other models in the test.
It's just a pity that its 9,2-litre, four-cylinder engine sounds so rough and lacks motivation when it comes to traction and acceleration. On top of that, the nine-speed automatic does little to disguise engine lethargy. It downshifts rather clumsily, often indulges in ugly jolts, and looks ill-adjusted. In addition, the slowest car consumes the most fuel - 100 l / XNUMX km.
Otherwise, the function controls, centered around a small card display like a children's coloring book, are mysterious in many parts, the leather seats as standard look more comfortable than they are. LED headlights cannot be ordered for any money in this world, the emergency stop assistant is sometimes activated unnecessarily, and the braking distance is the longest in this test. Specific off-road skills don't help much here, as for most buyers road behavior is critical.
Volvo relies on smaller bikes
And there you can see the XC60 more often, buyers line up for it. This is easy to understand - after all, the appearance and interior design are attractive, the furniture is of high quality and stylish, and the space in the cabin has increased significantly compared to its predecessor.
However, the same does not apply to the engine - the days of the legendary roaring five-cylinder units are over; in Volvo, the upper limit is set at four cylinders and two liters of displacement. While this is proof of progressive thinking for many, four-cylinders in such an aristocratic Volvo sound like a makeshift solution - especially at high revs, when a distinct roar is heard. However, when the ride is calm and smooth, the turbodiesel hums softly, as if talking to itself, but even so, the cost advantage over the much more powerful X3 is only 0,1 liters, and it’s not even worth mentioning.
However, the Volvo makes good use of its lowest power (235bhp) and generally feels satisfactorily motorized – even when driving fast on the freeway, where the test car's air suspension (€2270) responds more smoothly than on patched secondary roads. The XC60 moves through them quickly, but prefers not to rush into corners. Here, too, it falls far short of the motivated precision of the BMW model, which alone in this test deserves the title of "driver's car".
The fact that controlling functions from a central monitor takes time to learn was often commented on on our pages; the same applies to the rich array of assistive systems leading to semi-autonomous driving. In the end, it doesn't help the not-so-cheap Volvo, and Munich will win the test without any problems.
Text: Michael Harnishfeger
Photo: Ahim Hartmann
